The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-29
NOW THE TANEs ERE PdID'
The Story OF Annie MIXERS tntefpf'e

Win each succeeding year of her
widowhood Mrs. Miller had fouhd ,ne
naviug OF taxes on her small nome al
ever Increasing difficulty. uhtli TINS e"i
Snc, n ,cas 10 be done seemed 10 her
problem beyond her powers OF solu ~.
Her husband had died nNe years 49, 'lo. =
leaving her with four children between
the age OF two and eight years. ana no
rnpans OF support save Il small mouse anu
two acres of land The garden "hich she
was able 20 cultivate herself WIN IN
occasional naifday ana S NJin ~ for She the
f.uiily's needs in that line: then sne
washed. sewed. or did odd JOBS as sue
could get them. ana earned about Two ~
three dollars a week. whi'n haG 10 auiice
for other articles Of food. ciothlns, lueI
etc. But with each year the children were
growing older and expenses ihcreaScl,
while there was no way OF addlhg 10 hct
income, so the raising of money lof ne
taxes grew more and more dlnicut eacn
summer. 1t was but five dollars, put
that Was more than she ever saw at one
time except when ii had been Slowly
gathered by small savings and great S3-
crifces for this special purpose ! MS
wear one OF her children had been very
III for week or two ana all her tme was
devoted 20 H. and nothing earned, which
the harder Less Than a month remained
OF the legal limit 40 secure discount, anu
as yet not a dollar had been saved. The
garden was unusually good this year,
vegetables, more than she needed but
there was no market nearer than Hart
ford. five miles distant, and no way that
she could see Of getting them there. even
If they would sell, which she thought
very doubtful. Then her young fruit
trees were just coming into bearing. and
at least a dozen smal cherry trees were
laden with luscious locking fruit.
II do believe there's a bushe OF cher
ries on each 81 those trees" she said one
day as she looked with pleasure at them.
for each one had been planted and tended
By her 'If II were only possible 10 ret
fifty cents bushel for them. how easy it
would be TO pay the taxes" turning 10
Annie, her eldest, a stout girl OF thirteen,
who was beginning 10 share her mothers
cares and labors. But" she added de-
jectedly, there's no use talking; there's
10 one 20 buy them If We had HUNDREDS
OF bushels instead Of q dozen"
How DO yon know. mother" Ann
wouldn't buy them in Hartford surely
every one isn't supplied there"
POSSIBLY not, but how are we to get
them there And who IS to sell them
,,,, nus let ne try, / could get Mr.
! could drive him safely enough, and
know | could find some one to buy them
after got there Annie was all ANNA
tioh imnedlately over the scheme but
her mother shook her head
Il suppose you might DO it, but there's
4 dollar FOR the team and twelve cents
Tor toll, and you might not get even that
amount. But | could 20 from house
TO house and sell by the quart Just as
any one wanted them" Annie pleaded
ana I'm sure could get a few dollars
that way"
"1f could go myself II might be done"
Mrs. Miller said slowly and thoughtfllllv.
but I've so much work here | must stav
and DO II or we shall have nothing 10 eat
but fruit" ~ '"'
DO let me try it, Marmee, I know
could succeed. Wen all pick to-day, Won
needn't stop work and Addie (her sister
next youDger) and l will start early In
the morning and try our luck. Do
please. let me 60" Annie begged
III | were sure you would sell oven
enough TO pay expenses. ] wouldn't mind
so as 10 prove what could be done.
Annie felt the half reluctant consent
and caught at Il eagerly. "Oh, I'll do .that
sure. even If 7 have to go down where
the children are as thick as huekIebar-
ries on the hills, and offer n dol,bIe-
handful for a penny" she said with q
laugh.
well. II Mr.. Flint will let YOU have old
John, you may pick the cherries and sec
what YOU can do Mrs. Miller said. re-
turning to her work