The Press., 1893-11-16
Number 32.

you want it on the way?' But the niece said, Mo- and she told me how some times, where she'd been, she'd seen things sent in for mission barrels, things that were just worn out, and ready to come to pieces, and not worth paying freight on. Of course, there would be good things, too, but often ladies would send in trash. And so she was going to give something good, that had some wear left in it. And l told her that our church circle always sent good barrels. We didn't allow worn- out things in them, but sent just as good as we could afford to wear ourselves, and sometimes better. And then l went to Mrs. Elliott's, and she gave me some things her children had outgrown, but the things are real good, still. And I've been to other houses, but haven't got anything more yet"
 Margaret paused, slightly out of breath She smiled, her eyes fixed expectantly on | Mrs. Shaw.
 Mrs. Shaw colored. "Well," she be- gan slowly and apologetically, "I-I-do wish I could help, but don't see how can give any dresses. You see, always wear everything down pretty close, and | by the time Pm through with my things, there isn't any good left in them. wish had something I could give" There was pathetic cadence in the wo- mans voice, and there was tremulous line beside her mouth. Her eyes were fixed on the carpet. Margaret's gaze softened. She felt sorry she had asked Mrs. Shaw, the woman was so evidently | hurt to think that she could not give. Margaret noticed how shabby Mrs. Shaw's old brown dress was, and remembered how extremely near to shabbiness the woman's attire often was when she came | to church and prayer-meeting. II ought to have known better than to have come here, asking her," the girl re- preached herself, "only it did seem as if | folks who own so good-sized house as this ought to have something to spare for a mission barrel. MT. Shaw does good business, too. His wife seems to feel all right toward mission barrels. I wonder what the matter is ?"
 Aloud Margaret said kindly, "Why, it's all right, of course, Mrs. Shaw, if you can't spare anything. Ionly just thought I'd run in, and see. I've been going to a number of houses up this way"
 The girl smiled cheerfully, and half rose.
 "I wish had something I could give,' Mrs. Shaw repeated, and she looked up suddenly.
 "Oh, wonder!" she exclaimed. DO you suppose that the missionary's folks would like some dried peaches? I've got some that are beautiful My sister dried them back east, and sent them out here to me. Do you suppose the ladies would let such thing go in the barrel ?"
 Her tone, which had been animated became timid with that last question and she looked at Margaret with eager anxiety.
 | "Why, Pm sure they would!" the gir replied, smiling. "I know the mission ary's folks would like them"
 "I'll get them for you," cried Mrs Shaw, hurrying out of the room. She came back in moment with 6 good-sized paper bag that was two-thirds full of the dried peaches.
 "I'm so glad thought of them !" Mrs Shaw said, as she extended the bag SC that Margaret could look at the contents ''I do hope the missionary's folks vii like them"
 Mrs. Shaws cheeks were flushed witt excitement,
 "They will like them, I'm sure of it, returned Margaret, holding the paper bag while Mrs. Shaw tied string around it
 "Thank you, ever so much"
 "Oh, Pm glad to do it," protested tht
 woman.
 She followed Margaret out into th' , garden.
 ), "Let me give you some flowers" Mrs
 Shaw offered.
 . The garden was full of blossoms, anC
 she gathered Margaret a great bunch o
 yellow and white chrysanthemums, ant 7 heliotrope and geraniums. , The girl went down the road with he
 bundles and her flowers. Mrs. Shay 7 stood looking after Margaret moment
 and then turned, and went into the house The woman's cheeks were flushed yet. } "I don't know what sister Annie woul' , have thought of my giving away tn peaches she sent me for a present." Mrs 2 Shaw murmured. "But I'm so glad } thought of them! I'm glad could giv
 something."
 , Suddenly she put her head against tn dining room door, and burst into tears She covered her face with her hands. He form shook with silent sobbing. 5 'Dear Lord," she sobbed, under he breath, "Ive given what could!" Then, as suddenly, she became calm t She wiped away her tears, and went abou : her work. But Margaret had touched ? very sore place in the woman's heart 3 Mrs. Shaw never let herself say to hersel that her husband was selfish with hi !, money. She would not have acknow r edged such thing to any one. Her hus 3 band meant to be a kind man. She trie s not to remember the fact that, althoug
 he owned the house and had a good bus
 ness, and she worked hard, yet he neve 8 allowed her any money to spend, and D was only after severe mental humiliatio
 that she dal ed ask him for the clothin p that she must necessarily buy for herse t sometimes. Mrs. Shaw had taught he e self, through years of deprivation, not e think about this. It did not hurt her g d sorely as it once did, except in one thing She wanted so often to give toward churc s and mission objects, objects that touche O T