The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-03-19
"lT IS MORE BLESSED"

An Excellent Remedy for . sprained
Ankle.
"Well, I don't know what we can do
NEXT" Bertha Adler exclaimed, despair
ingly, her pretty, dark eyebrows drawn
together with perplexed wrinkles.
"We've read to her, sung for her and
told her stories by the hour, and yet
though She seems as grateful as can be,
she isn't bit happy under 1t all, as any
one with two eyes could see."
1.-THE fruits and flowers are no novel
ty," Emily Perry sighed. "She is used
to luxuries Of all sorts"
"And even good stories and books
must get tame when there's nothing
else to smuse, and fellow can't help
herself" Dot Dillon said, soberly.
The other girls laughed. "a fellow
with broken ankle-bone isn't in very
nice fix" one Of them sssented, land I
suppose that our best efforts to please
her must sometimes tire her out"
''Girls!" It was Kitty Carroll's voice
this time, and little infection Of hope
fulness began to spread through the
group. We've been following beauti-
full truth in dreadfully one-sided way,
that's what's the trouble. We've all
been saying: 1T is more blessed to give
than to receive and have blessed our
selves by showerine time and oranges
and half our pocket-money on dear old
Blanche. Now suppose we give her q
chance to win similar blessings, and do
. little Of the giving herself. I don't
suppose 1t has ever occurred to her, ly-
ing there, tired, little invalid, day
after day"
''Why, what an idea! What could she
give, and how?"
''Innumerable things, and in many
ways" Kitty answered brightly. 'Her
wrists are not broken, you know, If her
ankle is. She can learn to crochet
warm baby-sacks for that blue-looking
little baby Of Mrs. Wade's. She can be
we'll propped up with lap-board before
her, and cut out work for the Saturdays
sewing-class. Oh, there are dozens Of
little things she can do; one will lead to
anotbe Then farewell to boredom,
and hall to fresh interest in life, and
the blessing Of giving, for invalid
Blanche!"
"What head you have" Bertha said,
with such honest admiration that gen.
eral laugh followed.
"But 1t mustn't seem q cut-and-dried
scheme" Kitty warned. 1.-THE idea
must occur to the child herself. Dot
and 1 are going there after school.
Trust us to manage it." and here q
sharp little bell scattered the smiling
group. and sent them to books and
classes.
That evening two bright checked
maidens entered the pretty sick-room,
taking with them q breath Of fresh Oc-
tober air, and an added air Of girlish
brightness.
"How goes it. patient one?" Dot
asked, kissing the fair cheek Of her
friend.
''Ohi very we'll, thank you. Every
day is day ended, you know!"
"And you are glad to have them go?"
"Why, yes, Kitty, how could it be
otherwise? Every body has to bother
with me, and I'm only nuisance my
SELF" rafsaiie
Blessed be nuisances!" Kitty laughed.
''Thst was what Rob called himself last
night, when he tried to wind my wool
and got into such muss. Boys are 50
funny, anyway! You see l was in q
frantic hurry. for l did want to get
some crocheting begun, and yet there
were oil my lessons to get; and Bob
tried to help me out by getting the
wool ready"
''Well, he must be more interested in
dresser-mats and hair-pin balls than most
brothers!" Blanche exclaimed, laughing
too.
'Ohl but it wasn't to be hair-pin balls
or any thing Of that sort" Kitty inter
rupted, eagerly, '.just comfortable baby
sacks for the most frozen up little
bit Of humanity you ever saw-Mrs.
Wade's baby-such poor, miserable
baby, that Rob's warm heart quite melt
ed over its case"
Blanche was sitting MP against hel
pillows with An unwonted glow in heI
face. "Kittyl" she exclaimed, "why
did never learn to crochet! ] NIGH
make those baby sacks! 1t would
warm me more than the baby!"
'Well, say now, fellows"-Dot's long
association with six brothers of assorted
sizes had made her speech shockingly
boyish-''this looks like an opening TO
me. Ihave absolutely nothing to en-
gage my valuable time for days Il
come. Why not let me teach you Il
croch et?"
'Oh, you dearl You may talk base
ball and cycling club all You please, 1
you'll only comet"
Happy II" sighed Dot with . sauc
little courtesy toward Lady Blanche.
ssI'll be ON hand at FIVE o'clock to-moI
row, armed with balls and needles
Come Kitty! II don't actually dra
Won of you'll be here till that charme
hour tomorrow. Don't you see ho'
dark it's getting?" and Dot, Juggling a
her friends sleeve, blew a shower Of Iii
tie kisses toward the invalid. and in az
other minute both girls were gone.
When Mrs. Rhes entered the room
half IN hour later, she looked in som
surprise at the sunshiny face Of he
small daughter. Ibid the girls brin
you something quite new|" she asked
wonderingly.