The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-06


thread and similar articles, which
was all that she would need to snake
the things beautiful" she declared.
She would make the trousers for Fred,
too.
Mrs. Benton sighed when she saw
the poor lining purchased, and some
silk, got to trim dress for Edna, had
to be utterly discarded, it was so
thin. The work progressed very slow
ly, and Mrs. Benton began to feel nerv-
GUS. The line between her eyes
clme to stay. Mr.. Benton saw it, and
asked:
"You do not have hard work, do
you, dear9"
She had not told him of the home
cares.
"Oh, no indeed" she answered
gaily. at is like play, time to read
even."
The end of the first mouth came,
and with it Christmas. She had not
had time to prepare any gifts, and SO
must buy outright, and many, who
usually were remembered by her, had
to be neglected that time.
After two weeks of waiting and
hoping that something would be done
she discharged the sewing woman
whom she was boarding. There had
been little accomplished, and what
was done would have been better un-
done. What brought the climax was
Fred, coming from school in a perfect
rage, and declaring he would not
wear the trousers she had made.
"The boys call out right about
face;' just as if didn't know wheth-
er 1 was going ahead or backing up"
he said.
Mrs. Benton then made an inven-
tory of the needed articles, getting
up after her husband was asleep to
do it. She took a day off and went
shopping, buying everything that she
could readymade, and getting a
competent woman to take the rest
home.
When the bills for the second
month came in her heart failed. She
had made thirty dollars furnish the
table nicely. Now instead of sixty
dollars for the two months, the bill
was one hundred dollars She was
almost discouraged. Fred had not
been promoted at Christmas time as
she expected and his report for both
months was very low. Edna had
given up practicing, because she was
SO tired of her old pieces and had no
one to urge her. Mr.. Benton did not
like to have the lessons going on at
night. They had tried that, and he
said:
sT may be selfish, Katie, but need
your society evenings"
The third month was fast drawing
to close, when the housekeeper an
nounced:
"My sister in Michigan is dead,
and l guess I'll have to look after the
family. There's six children, and
the biggest only twelve. | want to
go to the funeral"
What was to be done! There was
no time fill her place. Fred, seeing
his mothers distressed look, plunged
his hands into his pockets to aid him
in forming some plan of help. They
touched something. He drew out a
letter.
Mamma" he said shamefacedly,
"Here is letter 1 got from the post
man Saturday."
This was Thursday Mrs. Benton
read it and burst into tears.
"My girlhood's dearest friend is
coming from California. On her way
to New York she will stop here, and
visit me for week or two. She will
be here next week, Saturday. What
shall / do!
"Stay at home and visit with her,
Katie; you need rest"
Her husband turned her gently
toward the mirror in the folding bed,
on which she had made the last pay
ment that day. She was startled at
the wan face she saw reflected. Then
she told him the whole story of her
cares, beginning with jules letter.
After she had finished they made an
inventory to see the outcome of the
matter:
Housekeeper, thirteen weeks. $500
Extra provision bills ................"". 5000
Dress made. ..............-........' o.uV
First sewing woman ..................... 6OO
Second sewing woman. .................. 1900
Third sewing woman. 1000
street car rare ...............'..'.'.. o'"
IOtal. .............. @ioo'VV
Earned, thirteen weeks, si5 per week.. 1850