Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-01-30
FROM DOOR TO DOOR,
pY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

Mabel Mcllcn sat pensively before the
blazing camel coal fire; with Pug in he,
lap and two very decided tears in he,
soft brown eyes. Her pink Vatican
wrapper was very becoming, and her pel
rosc-bush in the window was Just com
ing into bloom: but these facts were nc
consolation. All the same, Mabel was
very unhappy.
"My dear" said the sage elder sister.
who was all the mother she had eve,
known, 81 wouldn't fret about itr'
Mabel raised the liquid brown ewes,
fringcd around with dark lashes.
'But l am sure" said she, "that Inc
preached directly at me. Oh, don't
think he should have done that!"
"Nonscnse, my dcar" said Zueima.
Ono OF the big round drops detached
itself from the curly lashes, and fell, with
plash, directly on Pug's fine, shelf. like
nose.
"What else would he have me to do?"
demonstrated Mabel, piteously. az be-
long to all the societies, don't II And
l 90 to all the services, and visit every
one OF the poor people in my district
Does he want me to go to Africa and be
missionary, l wonder2 Or join sis
terhood, and wear horrid blaclx night
cap over my hair, and go about without
speaking to anybody"
"lm quite sure that he don't want
anything OF the Sort" said Zulcima,
getty.
"Im ready to make any sacrifice, y
said Mabel, upconscious!y twcalSing Pug
wrinkly cars in ier enthusiasm, until
that much enduring beast uttered a yelu
OF anguish. cit isn't work lat I'm afraid
of. Didn't | wash all the little, Riley
childrcn's faces last week for the mission
school, and mend Johnny Ruttllay's hor
rid clothes so lie could 60 to the ami.
vtrsary3 And I'm sure only want tho
chance to be heavenly Una, or era,
nun, or pilgrimess, or any of thos,
people that give up their whole lives TO,
the cause of humanity. I'd do anything
to help my fellow crcaturcs-ycs any.
thingl"
Mabcl's lips quivered and an involun.
tary trcmo!o came into her voice.
zuleima gazed admiringly at her.
GIN sure yon would, my darling" saiG
she. "And now if you feel inclined fol-
a good walk, you might take glass Of
jelly around to old Betsy Blundell, il
Charcoal street."
SITS shame" she said to herself
"ior any one to expect that sweet human
blossom to work any harder than shc
does. do wish Mr.. Rockingham would
leave of preaching those narrowing ser.
mons"
Old Betsy Blundell was as deaf and a,
cross as ever. 1t was always a tribula.
ton to go and see Betsy. Nothing suited
her, and the element of gratitude wa.
apparently left out of her nature.
She glared at Mabel as if she were ar
emissary of the Evil One.
"That last tea you left tasted smolsv,,
snarled she; "and Pm mortal certain the
rice was damaged. 1 may be poo,
creetur, but that amt no reason should
be p'isoned. Jelly2 Wal, sposc yo,
may leave it, though there amt muct
nourishment in such kickshaws. Louis,
she's kind O. complainin', and mayb,
she'll eat it."
sis Louisa sick2"
Mabel turned quickly around to tn,
battered old couch at the other side o
the room, where pleasant-faced girl o.
about twenty lay, covered with a fadec
blanket shawl.
sob, it amt much, Msss Mellen, "sait
Louisa-"only rheumatism. But it Grin
pies me so can't move off the couch
and I'd iuet oot e J,,.LoI ~ 49,, -: 4,
and capes knitted, all ready to carr,
around to the doors and sell-a dozen O
each. I'd put all my money into tn,
material, and l think they'd "a sold we'll
l used to get up nights and knit 'em
after factory hours"
sis it hard to sell them2" NIabc
suddenly asked.
ooh, no, miss" Louisa responded
'It's real light, pleasant work. 'Twould
ha' been nothing but fun for me-"
Mabel breathed quick and fast. Two
red spots came out ON he- check: brown
lightnings flashed under the curly gate.
ways of her eyes.
Here was the opportunity at last
coming, 1T was true, in no poetic guise
surrounded by no attractive circum
stances, but an opportunity all the same
Louisa" said she, 81 will sell then
for YOU"
"You, Miss Mellen7"
"Yes. Why nota" said Mabel, will
a curious, little, dry laugh. 81 had a
stall once in fancy fair. Why shouldn't
lsell tippets and capes and mittens9 I'll
go out with the basket this very day.
Are the prices all marked?v