The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-03-06

broom ana needle. On, y annie you
are too good and sweet and clever to
become a mere machine'"
There was little silence: then Mrs
Mamie spoke, and her voice was little
husky. yet there was a new ring in
it, AZ if she would look beyond her
world that was growing so narrow.
What would yon have me do? There
is no library in town-this Is only =
little New England village-and l don't
believe there are women enough here
who would take interest enough to
form a magazine club"
Have you ever tried?" asked Ger
trude.
No" Mre. Mamie hesitated.
We'll, have q plan At the end of
the week ] win tell it to you, if it sue
ceeds, and You must agree TO the con-
ditions?"
And 80 rhe matter WIS left.
When Saturday night came and the
work had all been done, and baby May
was sound asleep, Gertrude drew Mrs.
Mamie down ON the sofa beside her,
took u paper from her pocket and said:
How would you like a reading-roOn?"
Mrs Nannie's eyes grew bright
well, you may have one. / have hired
that room over Mr.. Browns store. 1t
used 70 be Mrs. Jaclzson's dress-malcing
rooms Well, have hired II for = year
THAT i. my share. Oh, never mind, it
wasn't much. Wen, here are nearly
fifty names; they represent twenty
families, and each person pledges only
oEe dollar apiece, which makes fifty
dOllar-, for papers and periodicals.
You can select what you wish-prob-
ably q daily or two; the leading rnaga-
Zine-an art magazine, book review,
Juveniles for the young, and Whatever
else you wish, for there will be a few
more dollars added yet l have been 70
DR. Moore, and he has kindly offered to
have the floor painted Mrs Williams
has given her old drugget for large
rug; Mr.. Barnes has sent over several
pictures, and some of the young people
are going To put up red Canton flannel
draperie. at the windows, and others
are to donate chairs and tables The
room win lie very coy and attractive.
Every thing VIII be in worlIin. order
by the first Of October"
This is like fairy story! You are
witch, l believe. No one else could
have ever opened these purses"
People seemed very willing, after
the first hesitation. Of course 1t AL
Will not cost them more than two dol
lar, apiece for the yes--wOod and
lights, you know, included. Any way.
it il a good experiment 70 try. l should
advise you 10 form club, and meet at
least once week; then the library can
- kept open two or three hours each
afternoon and evening. You can all
take turns, you know, II It is necessary
to have some one there"
1T il perfectly lovely" exclaimed
Mrs Mamie, unable TO say more.
The next summer Gertrude came 70
visit her cousin, and though, OF course,
she had heard about the success Of her
little literary undertaking. she was
glad TO see for herself how much good
had been done.
we could not get along without it!''
said Mrs. Mamie. why, we have
something to think about besides our
selves and each other. We know what
Is going on in the world, and it has
given us new interest in life. Then,
too, we grow more social; / think you
will see that the people are very much
improved. Everybody is so kind. We
have had books given US We found we
needed cyclopedia for reference, and
when Mr.. Simms, the Clergyman,
bought new Britannica, he gave US
his old set. And he is such a help to
us. We have regular clsss in Uni
versal Literature, and Political Science,
too; Mr.. simms teaches US We women
are learning a great deal about our
country, and / think the voters are
growing "a little wiser. The boys are
better behaved and more polished. and
the girl. more cultivated We married
people do what we can: then it is 50
pleasant to get ont together. We have
something TO talk about besides bon
nets. pies and the baby's last TOOTH
laughed Mrs. Mamie.
And you can slight homework a
Iittle?" questioned Gertrude mischiev-
ously, then added: why, you look as
young as you did when you were first
married-handsomer, toor'
so Harry tells me-" blushed Mrs.
Mamie. Il manage to walk a little
every day, too. l agree with you. there
is nothing like fresh air and sunlight
Harry has me use dumb bells and In
dian clubs, and now is going to put up
some chest-weights. l used = say that
! had all the gymnastics 1 wanted with
a broom and wash-bOard-but books
broaden one sOl'
Gertrude refrained from saying: 81
told you sov'
I thluk the men IKE II immensely.
Instead of getting OFF by themselves
and smoking in some store, they always
find companionship at the club-room,
and we are not s.teLLcctlGG enough yet to
frighten them How narrow we We're
growing, until you came here, like a
good Samaritan, and led US in the right
direction"
1t is deplorable," admitted Gertrude,
TO know how provincial villagers often
become, and il is SO unnecessary.
know that individuals can not always
buy books nor subscribe for magazines,
but on this mutual benefit plan great
deal can be accomplished with very lit
tie expense"
Il am going to write about it!'' ex-
claimed Mrs. Mamie. Il presume there
are hundreds Of villagers just as be-
nighted as we were. Why, we could
not L.Cc without our reading-room; and
more than that, we have learned how 10
work without becoming slaves, or jaded,
faded old women-''-Mrs. Merry, in
Good Housekeeping.
An Example OF Patience.
As man of patience Job was simpiva
weak imitation of the real thing. saws