The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-08-03
A LITTLE STORE.


little sitting-room. A cheerful fire of
pine-cones was burning on the small,
neat hearth; it 1ickered and sparkled
in joyous fashion, and helped decided
ly to drive away the dampness from
without, and the depression that
threatened within.
1t was the usual pathetic story: A
young girl. suddenly orphaned, with
out capital or special training, and
with younger brother and sister de-
pending on her for support. They
had come south for the sake of the del.
icate mother; here she had died, and
they were almost among strangers. A
temporary home had been offered
them by Miss Beesley, their eccentric
maiden neighbor, and here, while little
Effie was cozily sleeping, the older
ones were talking over the situation.
What can do?" sighed poor Louise
Hunter II have said that over and
over to myself so much, that the words
don't mean anything any more; can
either of you two help me out?" turn
ing to her brother Fred and to Miss
Beesley, both of whom were staring
thoughtfully into the fire.
IF only ] could keep on with my
studies at Kelsey college," broke on,
Fred, 81 wouldn't SO much mind the
rest. I'd be willing to chop wood OF
haul muck, if needn't give that up"
''My dear girl" said the little old
maid, with an air of business, "Fve q
question to ask You. Your mother was
woman of ability, and you are much
like her in many ways; among all the
things she taught you, what can you
do the best?"
Don't laugh, Miss Beesley, please
but I really do believe my answer
must be 'darning and patching.
Mamma used to say that fine mending
was one of the lost arts, and gave me
careful instructions, saying that
learned so readily she was quite proud
OF me-"
Good! what else can you do?" said
Miss Beesley, with emphasis.
Louise answered slowly: II hardly
know what else; used to enjoy cook
ing little delicate dishes for mamma
to tempt her; and l dearly love tc
make candy"
You'd just better believe she can
too" broke in Fred, now thoroughly in
terested. "She's made all our Christina.
and birthday candies ever since we've
been here, for the grocery candy ISM
much but glucose and chalk. l wish
had some of her 'cocoanut bar thi!
very minute, so do" And the young
collegian paused, now thoroughly ou
of breath.
Item No q" said Miss Beesley
cheerily. rs there anything else?'
mo, think not" responded Louise
vaguely encouraged by her friends
pleasant words. Mamma had rea
knack with flowers, and l used to en-
joy helping her SO much; but, after all
know very little about them. Deal
Miss Beesley, don't know much o.
anything, I'm afraid; can't sing OF
play or write, or teach. I'm only {
humdrum nobody, and yet every body
depends on me-" and the brown eye!
grew troubled and misty once more.
Don't fret" said Miss Beesley, kind
ly, stroking the soft, slim fingers. "bu
just listen to me, you two young things
for I've got plan. Fred wishes mos
of all to go to Kelsey. Right he is, ant
go he shall. But as we are out here il
the country, and Kelsey college is ovel
there at Woodbridge, a change must b.
made. You, my dear Louise, mus
move to Woodbridge, rent tiny cot
tage, put out plain little sign, Darn
ing and Patching Done With Skill
('.rll make the sign!" shouted Fred)
put little notice in the local paper
and, with good management, worl
will come. In two or three months tn,
great hotels will begin to fill up will
winter visitors, the st James at Wood
bridge among them. Then is the tim,
for candy making. Have everything
exquisitely good, put up in attractive
shape, labeled Homemade and dis
played at the neatest store in the. vii
Iage. Let hotel people alone for find
ing out anything new! Perhaps few
pots of flowers will help out, also; bu
YOU will know best about that. Now
what do you say?" concluded the littl,
old maid, poking the fire vigorously.
Louise's eyes had gradually beer
growing bigger as the plan unfolded
1T sounds beautiful" she said
TREMENDOUSLY; do you think l could d.
it?"
II think you will do it, my child,
said her friend, with decision. "for thu
sake of the dear ones who love you."
AS for Fred, he conld scarcely con
tain his feelings.
''Miss Beesley, you are trump h
cried in his healthy ringing tones; III
weed all your fower-beds tomorrow.
The next week was busy time TO
az, careful inventory was made o
their slender possessions, some thing
sold, and others kept for the new
home. One day Miss Beesley an,
Louise made trip 70 Woodbridge an,
returned at nightfall, tired, blu
triumphant, having found hous'
suited to their needs; and early tn
next week the transfer was made.
"Good-by, my dears, and may Heavel
bless you," said Miss Beesley, with on
or two suspicious shifts and winkint
her black eyes very hard as the trail
steamed up to the platter m. "Let mi
know If anything goes wrong"
Reaching Woodbridge they Wake,
up to the new home, leaving the freigh
a Iof G.oh N ffnxy ltttl