The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-12-16
FROM DOOR TO DOOR.

FRUM DUUh lU UUUh.
Mabel Mullen sat pensively before
the blazing camel coal fire, with Pug
in her lap and two very decided tears in
her soft brown eyes. Her pink Wat.
teau wrapper was very becoming, and
her pet rose bush in the window was
just coming into bloom but these
facts were no consolation. All the
same, Mabel was very unhappy.
My DEAR, said the sage elder sister,
who was all the mother she had ever
known, Il wouldn't fret about it p
Mabel raised the liquid brown eyes,
fringed around with dark lashes.
But am sure" said she, "that he
preached directly at me. Oh, 1 don't
think he should have done that u
Nonsense, my dear! r said Zuleima.
One 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 you have me to
do?" demonstrated Mabel, piteously.
Il belong to all the societies, don't ?
I And [ go to all the services, and I visit
every one of the poor people in my dis
trict. Does he want me to go to Af-
rica and be missionary, wonder ?
| Or join sisterhood, and wear horrid
black nightcap over my hair, and go
about without speaking to anybody p
Pm quite sure tina. he doesn't want
anything of the Sort" said Zuleima,
gently.
/ I'm ready to make any sacrifice, -
said Mabel, unconsciously tweaking
Pug's wrinkly ears in her enthusiasm,
until that much enduring beast uttered
a yelp of anguish. ut isn't work that
I'm afraid of. Didn't wash all the
little Riley children's faces last week for
the mission school, and mend Johnny
Ruttkay's horrid clothes so he could go
to the anniversary And I'm sure I
only want chance to be Heavenly
Una, or gray nun, or pilgrimess, or
any of those people who give up their
whole lives for the cause of humanity.
I'd do anything to help my fellow crea-
tures-yes, anything T.
Mabel's lips quivered and an involun.
tary tremolo came into her voice.
Zuleima gazed admiringly at her.
Pm sure you would, my darling u
said she. "And now if you feel inclined
for good walk, you might take glass
of jelly around to old Betsy Blundell.
in Charcoal street.
Its shame" she said to herself,
'for any one to expect that sweet hu-
man blossom to work any harder than
she does. I do wish Mr.. Rockingham
would leave off preaching those harrow
ing sermons.
Old Betsy Blundell was as deaf and
as cross as ever. 1t was q tribulation
to go and see Betsy. Nothing suited
her, and the element of gratitude was
apparently left out of her nature
She glared at Mabel as if she were
an emissary of the evil one.
THAT last tea you left tasted smoky!''
snarled she; "and I'm pretty moral
certain the rice was damaged. may
be poor creetur, but that amt no rea-
son should be p'isoned. Jelly Wal,
/ s'pose you may leave it, though there
amt much nourishment in such kick
shaws. LOUSY she's kind O. complain
in, and maybe she will eat it,"
us Louisa sick ?" -. -
Mabel turned quickly around to the
battered old couch at the other side of
the room, where pleasant-faced girl
Of about twenty lay, covered with a
faded blanket shawl.
"Oh, it amt much, Miss Mellen, u
said Louisa-"only rheumatism. But
it cripples me so that I can't move off
the couch, and I'd just got bushel O.
them tippets and capes knitted all
ready to carry around to the doors and
sell-a dozen of each. I'd put all my
money into the material, and I think
they'd a sold we'll. used to sit up
nights and knit 'em, after factory
hours"
rs it hard to sell them?" Mabel sud
denly asked.
"Oh, no. MISS" Louisa responded.
Its real light, pleasant work.
'Twould be nothing but fun for me-"
Mabel breathed quick and fast. Two
red spots came out on her cheeks;
brown ightnings flashed under the
curly gateway of her eyes.
Here was the opportunity at last
coming, it was true, in no poetic guise,
surrounded by no attractive circum-
stances, but an opportunity all the
same.
Louisa" said she, II will take and
sell them for you"
You, Miss Mellen?"
Yes. Why not?" said Mabel, with
a curious little dry laugh. Il had a
stall once in fancy fair. Why shouldn't I
1 sell tippets and capes and mittensi
I'll go out with the basket this very
day. Are the prices all marked?"
She did not even consult Zuleima,
this impetuous, impulsive child of one
idea.
"Zuleima will be sure to oppose the
plan, she said. "There'l be a thou
sand and one good and sufficient reasons
why / shouldn't undertake the work
L will be a heroine. 1 will practise
what Mr.. Rockingham breaches
Where's the use of my good resolutions
if | haven't the moral courage tc
face an emergency like this offered
me?"
So she took the splint- basket and
started out ,bravely into the raw, chill
atmosphere of the November day with
valiant heart,
1T will be fun" she assured herself