Tombstone epitaph., 1891-01-11
pieces occasionally, shali keep my hand

VI StuiSSy aHSNSiSo llClVus
 "But,' persisted Bessie, ''ten minutes Is not any time at all. You ought to practice an hour at the very least, and can see you are too busy to do that"
 "Ten minutes is better than nothing," argued Mollie. "And you can do good deal in even that time if you give your mind to it, and really work and don't fuss. And another thing-I just detest those scales, and think it's kind of weak minded to hate thing you have to do every day of your life, and so Pm going to try and like them. Perhaps by the end oi the year shall quite enjoy them. Who knOwss"
 Bessie looked at her with admiring eyes. She often opposed her for the sake of get ting her into an argument, for she liked to hear Mollie talk. "Do you know what other day? he called you a real little enthusiast
 Noliie looked slightly puzzled. 'T don't know whether to take that as com pliment or not" she said "He might little things"
 decided compliment" said Helen, "and should be charmed if any one said it about me-"
 "Don't be alarmed, they never will" said Bessie.
 Helen sighed. q know it," she answered, in mock melancholy tone. ''No one appreciates me. Nobody under stands me. When l leave this dreary tombstone:
 ''She hath done what she could
 And been misunderstood"
 When the small breeze excited by Hel. ems nonsense had subsided, Bessie in. Qured, with provoking coolness, ''Mollie, what would you do if you should go out camping as you did last summer, where you cannot by any possibility have pianOS"
 This was question, and for minute an omnibus silence ensued. Then Mollie said, with cheerful vagueness: "Oh, shall find some way, aln sure."
 'Might practice on an old tin pan," put In Bessie, sarcastically.
 ''Yes," said Mollie, gravely. "That's a good idea, and I'll remember it. Or might take some paper and mark off a keyboard of an octave or two and paste it on plank. l could play beautifully on that, and it would at least keep my fnges limber."
 "Bravor cried Amy. ''Mollic, you're genius"
 ''So she is, and I should love to enjoy her edifying company longer, but sup pose must go to my old painting lesson," Ighed Helen.
 ."Old painting lesson," echoed Mollie. 'I thought you liked it."
 ''So should, if could paint flowerf and people and things, but as for sitting and looking at an old vase for two hours gazing along pencil to get the propor- tions, think it's stupid" growled Helen. 'I know could paint ten times better h did the things that liked"
 "When you converse upon topics be yond your comprehension, Miss Starr, you do not create an impression of your knowledge, but only expose your pro found ignorance" prosed Mollie, in b. grandiose manner.
 "Well, shan't stay here to be laughed at," said Helen. "It's time was there, this very minute"--giancing at the clock. Good by, Mollie." And giving her . nasty kiss she tool, Bessie's arm, and the three girls hurr ed from the room.
 During the months that followed Mollis had abundant opportunity to test the strength of her resolution. At first the sense of novelty and the enthusiasm that always accompanies q new idea made her self imposed task an easy one, but gradu- ally this died away, and many times was the music neglected until almost bed time, when she reluctantly left the pleas ant game or fascinating book to do what with little forethought, might have been an agreeable duty. Mamma had beer told of the plan, and had laughed at the formally worded "Rcsolve," but heartily approved of it, and now, though she sometimes wondered at her daugh- ter's forgetfulness, she held her peace. remembering that it was Molle's affair, and knowing that, if the girl did once really neglect it, her wounded pride and the sense of failure would be sufficient punishment. And by and by Molie dis. covered the value of q little system, and then she might have been seen every morning, directly after breakfast, practic. ing with an energy and determination that went far toward conquering the difficulties of the complicated exercises.
 At last the time arrived for Mollie's summer fitting, and one pleasant day in June the four girls were gathered to. gether in her little sanctum for Q ''good. by talk"
 "Oh, dear!' sighed Helen. "It doe. not seem any time since winter, and now Us summer again, and shall miss you so dreadfully."
 'Ditto," answered Mollie, brightly. "But perhaps it won't seem any time til autumn, and then I shall he back, you know. And you will not miss me long, for in another month you will be revcl. ting in the treasures of Martha's Vine Yard."
 'T know it,'' groaned Helen. "But a whole month in this dreadful city, with tbe thermometer over eighty, and every .oul away, and nothing to do-ohr'
 Come, Helen," cried Amy, ''don't look so doleful, O. you'll give us all the blues. You've made even Mollie look sober"
 Mollie contradit ted this statement by beaming smile that was reflected in the faces of the others. Even Helen looked more cheerful. You are the most con- fortable girl," she said. II don't believe you ever were homesick in your life."
 "Wasn't," said Mollie. promptly. "I have tried hard enough"
 The girls broke into chorus of laugh. ter. "Tried to be homesicki What dc you meany'
 "Just what I said," answered Mollie. stoutiy "You know last summer mamma went to Europe, and left me with Aunt II rvn1n N4ll ,...