The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-10

me, IL s anOtner long letter TO De written.
This is from a member of our weekly
literary society-she wants copy of an
old poem l read one evening. This from
some one else who wants something else
and so on and so on"
"You can't help yourself, Mrs. Jones, :"
said her friend, laughing. ssIt is simply
the penalty you pay for being rich and
liberal
Helen had not taken up the new book,
finding portion of her work which
could be carried on while she was wait
ing. Having at length received the
needed instructions she returned to her
sewing-room with mind very full Of
what she had heard and of some new
ideas awakened by it.
Il could do that. I should like it, too
Not as well as music, but a great deal
better than sewing. 1 Wonder-I won
der, if people wouldn't like to hire such
work done"
She took time to think of it and an
hour later was again tapping at the door
of Mrs. Jones' room. opening it in re-
Spouse to the cor6.:.l summons, to find
the lady sitting at her desk with an ex-
preston of perplexed WEAKNESS.
81 beg your pardon" said Helen, ap-
preaching her with little hesitation
81 hope you will not think I am taking
too great liberty, but am quick with
my pen. Father used to say 1 wrote
very plain hand, and thought perhaps
might be of little assistance to you
about the invitations you were speak
ing Of"
Indeed, I dare say you could, my
DEAR" said Mrs. Jones, warmly. 'Wri
ting notes and letters is becoming harde.
and harder to me the older 1 grow. al
though to tell the TRUTH she added
with frank smile, Il never was so very
ready with my pen. Schools in my da!
were not what they are now, you know
and girls were not so carefully trained
about so many things. Yes, sit down
my dear, and let me see you with one O
these invitations"
Helen selected her pen from the lib
eral variety on tht desk and looked "a
the note, the result of ten painstakine
minutes to poor Mrs. Jones. How the
dear soul had hesitated over it, giving
her hand half dozen little whirls be-
fore venturing the first uncertain touch
How she had screwed up her lips and
wrinkled her smooth forehead as the
cramped little letters slowly made their
appearance.
And now the young girl after one
quick glance dashed off the few lines OF
the invitation as if her hand took de-
light in the movement, as indeed it did
for her pen, paper and ink were all such
as any chirographist might rejoice in
using.
'Dear me, how beautiful' exclaimed
Mrs. Jones. in iaroxysm of generous
admiration, ''what beautiful hand
What a beautiful note!'' She tore up
her own and threw it in the waste basket
as she got up with a laugh, saying;
Set the sewing go, my dear, ana in
ish those for me. l shall be proud to
Eend them OUT
She was fastening from the room as if
rejoicing in being set free from an I'M
pleasant task, whom she suddenly turned
again to Helen.
''Oh, my dear Miss Varne, don't you
think you could see to these other notes
for me too?'
81 think ST. said Helen, ''if you will
tell me exactly how you want them an
Swered."
For few moments Mrs. Jones sat be-
side her, giving her such information as
would enable her understand ngly tc
dispose of the wearisome mail matter.
Two hours later, after ound among
her numerous charities, she looked over
the pile of neat missives with great
satisfaction and then went to Holen who
had resumed her duties in the sewing
room.
go, my dear, if only could afford to
have you for my private secretary.'
she exclaimed, enthusiastically. "But
l don't have enough writing for that,
only you may be sure shall not put nv
clumsy hand to paper SO long as I can
have you to do what little l have to do.
And 1 have been telling my friend, Mrs.
Grace, about you"
"You are very kind" said Helen.
"Not so very; I'm sure the kindness is
towards ourselves. Well, Mrs. Grace
wants lot of selections of poetry writ
ten out for some kind of party she is
to give, and when l showed her your
hand writing she was charmed, and won
dered if you would be so very obliging
as to write them for her."
"But am sewing for you" said Helen,
smiling.
''Never mind the sewing. You never
ought to spend an hour sewing-but
hope you will do mine till you can do
better. Take up the needle when the
pen lies idle
"No more sowing" said Helen, coming
home to her mother with "a liant face
one evening not long after.
''Not bit?"
"Not bit. 1t is crowded out at last.
am to go for two mornings each week
to Mrs. Jones to attend her correspond
ence. Every other morning during the
week is filled with engagements of the
same sort with some of her friends, and
as l am almost always done in two or
three hours 1 can undertake more work
if I find it, which Mrs. Jones says
surely shall"
'And it is pleasant work?"
just as pleasant as l could ask Not
at all hard and done in pleasant places
and for pleasant people. And they pay
we well, and o, mother, 1 shall have
plenty OF time to practice and little
money to spare for music lessons. 1 shall
reach my mark some day."
Just because you did faithfully the
first thing came to your hand" said
mother.-S2"ney Dayrs, in Chicago
StanCarc.
-frOf. LlnJnereSImaIeS thatif all tho
species OF insects inhabiting the world
were known their number would reach
100000. He states that he has himself