The National tribune., 1894-03-01

was laid and at the sight the psngs of hunger pos
sessed her they never did before.
You are late" said her mother, coming for
ward to meet her. land o. so cold, and not bite
in the house for you to eat, Rhoda." And the poor
mother fell into bitter weeping for the first time
Since the wolf stood at the door.
From hand 10 mouth the family had been living
since the shutting down of the mills threw the
father ont of work. and for the first time that MORN
ing credit had been refused.
The father away hunting work in a distant
city, being a skilled workman, and going where
the mills had not stopped. But he found hundreds
of men there before him, and once there be could
not earn even enough TO take him home again.
The eldest son. n boy of IA, was working for his
boarding with Il farmer and Rhoda, her mother,
and two baby girls had been living frugally,
through the kindness OF grocer under promises
10 pay.
That morning when Mrs. Arnold went for the
scant supplies of daily food. she found the grocer
sitting by the stove with his face buried in his
hands and strange man behind the counter. The
grocer had taken his last risk, and they were many
whom he had befriended, and his creditors were in
charge
There no light in the house, but Rhoda had
few pennies and after she and her mother had
poured forth their SORROWS with their tears-snd
blessed be !-she went 30 the grocery, bought
u llilie oil lile I'VE vi coiH~
meal, aud penny's worth of sugar. Rhoda's
courage had revived, and she had plan to follow
up next day.
So Rhoda and her mother and the two girl
babies. happy though they Jared at a kings
table. had their supper and their breakfast and
bright and early, and with face more hopeful
than she had shown for many day, Rhoda went
out with her sample-book in hand
She went straight TO a big house on the avenue
IL 4.
had been shown into sitting room. where young
mother with a brood of children all around her,
was trying to make them some clothes. Sne had
looked over Rhodas book. and looked At it visit
fully enough. and then closing the book returned
it TO Rhoda with a sigh
81 would like much to have it," she said
"but, you know, the works are stopped al >,
how well Rhoda knew It, for was not her father in
the employ of the woman's husband" and hon.
estly have not the money to take the book"
81 wish you could take il, said Rhoda. Il
would not be selling 1t if father had work, like he
did when Mr.. Browns mills were running"
"And would not be making these clothes If Mr..
Brown could run his mills" said the worried little
mother, and with the injunction to come again
when times were better. she accompanied Rhoda
to the door.
And this is why Rhoda went straight 10 the big
house the avenue this particular morning.
And when Rhoda was admitted and Mrs. Brown
came into the room they both laughed, and Mrs.
Brown said: oh. why do you come to tempt me?
You know cannot take that book"
" / did not come to sell you book, Mrs. Brown.
came 10 help you make the chdrens' Clothes"
said Rhoda. "oh, know all about sewing and
you will let me stay, won't your"
-" But the money? told you had no money"
said Mrs. Brown.
No, you have no money, Mrs. Brown, but you
have fire, and you have food, and you have credit
and you have friends. And my mother is starving
and the babies. nnd-oh, Mrs. Brown you will let
me stay, won't your" And Rhoda sank into a
chair, faint from fasting and sorrow.
So Mrs. Brown heard the whole story. And
Rhoda staid, very angel in the house. sewing,
with def fingers threads of gold into the life of the
unskilled manufacturers wife.
Then work came in plenty to Rhoda, for the old
adage runs. He who can may" aud she went
from one house the avenue another. And
the mother and the babies warmed and fed,
and the father came home, and the other day Mr..
Brown notified him that he should have his old
place when the mills opened in March.
The best of IL is this story is all true. But them
you see. Rhoda had learned TO sew. and knew how
to do one thing well.
After all IL Is that " Heaven helps those who help
themselves."