The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-08-10
A LITTLE STORE.

NL NlG
neat hearth; it fickered and rkled
IN joyous fashion, and helped decided
~ 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
ont capital or special training. and
with a younger brother and sister de-
pending on her for support. They
a com south for the sake of the del
lcate mother; here she had died. and
they were almost among strangers. 4
Temporary home had been offered
them by Miss Beesiey, their eccentric
maiden neighDOr, andhere, while little
Lille was cozily sleeping, the older
ones were talking over the situation.
What a | do?" sighed poor Louise
Hunter. Il 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 olt?" turn
ing TO her brother Fred and to Miss
Beesley, both of whom were staring
thoughtfully into the fire.
If only l could keep on with my
studies at Kelsey college," broke out
Fred, Il wouldn't so much mind the
rest. I'd be willing to chop wood or
haul muck, if l needn't give that up"
MY dear girl" said the little old
maid, with an air of business, I've a
question to ask you. Your mother was
a 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 l 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 L
learned SO readily she was quite ptoud
of me-"
Good! what else can you do?" said
Miss Beesley, with emphasis.
Louise answered slowly: Il hardly
know what else; l Used to enjoy cook
ing little delicate dishes Cor mamma,
to tempt her; and l dearly love to
make candy
You'd just better believe she can,
too" broke in Fred, now thoroughly in
tereSted. shes made all our Christmas
and birthday candies ever since we've
been here, Tor the grocery candy isn't
much but glucose and chalk. | wish |
had some of her 'cocoanut bar this
very minute, so | do And the young
collegian paused, now thoroughly out
of breath.
Item No. ." said Miss Beesley,
.cheerily. rs there anything else?"
No, | think not" responded Louise,
vaguely encouraged by her friends
pleasant words. Mamma had a real
joy helping her 50 much; but. after all,
L know very little about them. Dear
Miss Beesley, l don't know much of
anything, I'm afraid; | can't sing or
play or write, or teach. I'm only a
kumdrum nobody, and yet everybody
depends on me- and the brown eyes
grew troubled and misty once more.
Don't fret" said Miss Beeslcy, kind
ly, stroking the soft, slim fingers. but
just listen to me, you two young things,
for I've got a plan. Fred wishes most
of all to go to Kelsey. Right he is, and
he shall. But as we are out here in
the country, and Kelsey college is over
there at Woodbridge, a change must be
made. You, my dear Louise, must
tage, put out a plain little sign, Darn
ing and Patching Done With Skill
(''Tll make the sign" shouted Fred),
put a little notice in the local paper,
and, with good management, work
Will come. In two or three months the
great hotels will begin to fill up with
winter visitors, the st. James at Wood
bridge among them. Then is the time
for candy making. Lave 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 a few
pots of flowers will help out, Also; but
you will know best about that. Now
what do you say?' concluded the little
Old maid, poking the fire vigorously.
Louise's eyes had gradually been
growing bigger as the plan unfolded.
1T sounds beautiful she said,
TREMENDOUSLY; do you think 1 could do
it?"
Il think you will do it, my child"
said her friend, with decision, for the
sake of the dear ones who love you."
AS for Fred, he could scarcely con-
tain his feelings.
Miss Beesley, you are a trump he
cried in his healthy ringing tones; I'll
weed all your fiower-beds tomorrow"
The next week was a busy time for
all; a careful inventory was made of
their slender possessions, some things
sold, and others kept for the new
home. One day Miss Beesley and
made a trip 10 Woodbridge and
returned at nightfall, tired, BUT
triumphant, having found a house
to their needs; and early the
next week the transfer was made.
''Good-by, my dears, and may Heaven
bless you" said Miss Beesley, with one
or two suspicious shifts and winking
her black eyes very hard as the train
steamed up to the platform. Let me
know if anything goes wrong"
Reaching Woodbridge they walked
up to the new home, leaving the freight
be sent up later. Such a tiny little
home. Three rooms with a small
'.lean-to" kitchen, and a patch of a