The Van Buren press., 1895-08-24


very creditable little sign had been
made ~end pelnted, atnotice had been
pat ia tlze local paper, . few circulars
descrihlng the new buslness OF Patch
ing sud-Darning.s and giving pricsa
for work, had been distributed by this
Same enterprising boy. The absurd
little gardens in the fsare d. the. house
had been spaded and put ihanicesordsr,
awaiting soma seed packets that wers
even now ON the way, and next week
college would begin, and the light
hearted. helpful boy would be busy
with his bookA but Efie would be
left and . jolly little helper she was.
full Of dimples and good nature.
Now and then small bit of work
came in. Only ten cents pair for
stockings, but so ; beautifully done
were they that others followed soon.
First one bachelor and then another
rescued his mending from the colored
.Aunty" who did his washing fwho
sewed on white buttons with black
thread and ~vice versa" and sending
N down to.the finystore at the streets
end dfound everything put in order ''as
mother used to do it." But the college
boys were q wonderful help to the
business. OF course they got dread
fully torn up" as boys always will,
and as most of them were away from
home. they were glad enough to find .
pair of deft fingers SO near.
BY and by the great hotel began to
show signs of life. Then the hacks
and street cars began making frequent
trips, and great piles Of ''Saratogas'
numbered the platforms at the station.
While all this hubbub was going on
half mile away. there were also ex-
citing times at the Hunters A mys-
terious box had arrived from the north.
and certain delicious odors hung
around the various packages. A half
barrel Of Sparkling sugar was deRos.
ited Id FonsS corner; the oilftove and
several small kettles and pans received
an extra securing. A busy trio of
young folks sat around the lamp after
snpper, ! EcrackinH and picking nuts
stonins reisins And dAtes, ehopDinG
cftron and 6gs. All her resting mo-
ments Louise spent in the "big rocker, :"
studying receipts and inventing new
combinations She decided that her
first candy venture should consist of
only few varieties. and those the
most familiar to her.
Chocolate creams. OF course; but
there are creams and creams. Louise's
all lo-i,.j obo.,k kl,o - no ~>,.<.;da a
rich, dull brown, but you were never
sure into what delicious inner com
pound your teeth would sink; some
were white and vanilla favored; some
with cocoanut with lemon added. some
pink. with trace Of bitter almond;
some dainty fruit paste; and the last
one was always the best. Cream dates,
pink and white, rolled in granulated
sugar; cocoanut cones, baked in her
little oven and with just the right
golden brown tinge on the top; walnut
and maple creams, and lastly, de-
lightful combination invented by
Louise herself, and irreverently dubbed
''hash balls by the irrepressible Fred.
IAdue time all were made. tastefully
arranged in an amber glass bowl, and
left ct Browns" the one drug store
Of the village. It was q pretty, at
tractive store, where soda water and
other things besides the usual stock
could be obtained, 50 the hotel people
were quite sure to be frequent custom
ers A little card was fastened to the
bowl Of Rlittering sweets, which read:
Homemade; help YOURSELF" for Louise
had decided that the first two or three
consignments must be given away free
", in order to establish q reputation.
Mr. Brown availed himself Of the in.
vitation speedily, and, being great
friend Of Fred, spread praises of the
sweets and drew everyone's attention
to them. In few days Louise sent
another lot, simply varying fiavors
somewhat, and by the time that was
gone purchasers became reality.
There was always to be found in the
showcase q bowl Of fresh. tempting
candies; but the placard had changed
to, Homemade, so cts. a lb. !" and near
by lay a little pile OF empty boxes.
It WAS also understood that special
orders would be filed for any favorite
kind, and that caralnels and glace nuts
wonld only be made to order, Ms in the
warm southern latitude they did not
keep we'll. Every possible method was
tried to make all goods attractive to
the eye; occasionally pans of peanut
and cocoanut bar were offered, piled
"corncob' fashion on a tray, and from
Fred emanated the brilliant idea that
big pan of popcorn balls on Saturday
would be surely appreciated by the
college boys, and this plan was q
wondrous success. !;
Meanwhile the nending and darning
Was not neglected, the mornings were
devoted to the sweets, the afternoons
to the needle. Carefully tended by Effie,
and by Fred after school hours, the
flower and vegetable seeds were doing
finely, and for recreation, there wore
occasional moonlight walks or q pleas
ant row on the lake. Y
Two weeks before Christmas the or.
ders for confectionery poured in so
thick and fast that Louise was Obliged
to announce: mo patching and darn
Ing TIL after the holidays" and work
early and late to meet all require
ments. This was her harvest; but
though she coined money rapidly she
used it sparingly, knowing that after
time dull days would come.
Christmas came, and with it pres
ent from Miss Beesley-a barrel OF nuts
from her loved New England; black
walnuts, 'shellbarks," butternuts,
chestnuts, hazelnuts, plump, sound and
fresh, enough TO last the season
through. and infinitely better than the
stale ones at the stores. And SO one