Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-04-30


corner, and in the other the carpen-
ter made wide, strong shelf. They
sent it's measure to an upholster, who
| fitted it with thick cushion
like little mattress. This was COW
cred with raw silk, the yawning cav
ern underneath hid by plated vala-
nee of the same material, and Mary's
ancestral feather bed furnished with
great square pillows that leaned
against the wall at the back, also
smaller ones that seemed to fit in
whenever they were needed to make
it regular cosy corner.
These sensible young women re
solved in the beginning to have moth
ing to do with the snares of the adj
versary in the shape of barrel chairs
and cotton flannel denominations, but
the secondhand store they regarded
as their lawful hunting ground. There
they found an old mahogany stand
with drop leaves, which they polished
till it shone as only old mahogany
can, and gave them feeling of in
tense responsibility in the matter of
furniture. A number Of their chairs,
too, came from the same place, but
they we're glorifed by new brocade
cushions. Four pillows stuffed with
moss filed up all the empty looking
spaces, and when their few bits of
brio a. brac, with Miss Potter's best
easel, were displayed to advantage,
and a fire kindled on the hearth, they
thought it the most delightful room in
the city.
The hall was large, and looked very
discouraging at first, but red and blue
rugs warmed it up wonderfully. An
easel with their largest picture broke
up the long, narrow look of the pass
age, and in the space behind it, which
they called the debatable ground,
waterproofs and umbrellas could be
consigned to dignifed retirement. A
few sketches were tackled on the wall,
and the chairs were the result of a
visit to an auction. But in spite of
the triumphs Of gumption with which
the house was filed, when they came
to woven wire mattresses and
kitchen range they were obliged to
go to the regular dealer, and, it must
be confessed, to go into debt also.
The amount was not large, however,
and on the night of the first weekly
settlement of accounts Miss Potter
Crh a f0 ;ah CHI
h ad printed in her best script, ere
serve Fund of the Old Maids Coop
erative Association"
They decided that each one should
contribute to the general fund the five
and a half week with which she had
bought SO much discomfort, and when
the accounts were balanced on Sat-
urday night, the surplus, which they
as the profit of the coop
erative venture, should go into the
tin safe, for use in emergencies at first,
but on the whole the strong box filled
up quite a social success. Perhaps
not in fashionable way, but a few of
Lizzie's friends fell into the habits Of
calling in the evening to try the last
new music, while the other people
who happened in at the same time
found the music, the blazing wood |
and the merry talk so pleasant that |
they were enger to go again. More
than one young man or woman, home
sick and lonely as these girls had
been, appreciated the homelike feel
ng, and developed unlocked for
qualities. The world
began to seem very friendly place,
and does still, though this was two
years ago.
The friends have not quarrelled, for
hey decided in the beginning that if
my thing went wrong they would not
discuss it except in full executive
session.
They have not starved, as Mrs.
King had predicted, although they
lad ofton found it necessary to get
Inner or a breakfast at Austin's: and
hey had not married, because, I
think, no one has asked them; but
hey have proved to their own salts
action that q few we'll bred, we'll
women can make home for
themselves and live happily in it.
AN IMPERATIVE DUTY.
What greater duty is possible than the care
# our health Until recently it has been
impossible for persons living at a distance
Jor