The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-08-09

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Louise herself, and irreverentiy duppea
''hash balls" by the irrepressioie freu
In due time all were made, tastefuliy
arranged in an amber glass bowl, ana
left at Browns, j." the one drug store
of the village. II was pretVy'
tractive store, where soda water anu
other things besides the usual STOCK
could be obtained, SO the hotel peoPio
were quite sure to be frequent custom
ers. A little card was fastened to the
bowl of glittering sweets, which read
"Homemade; help YOURSELF Tor Louise
had decided that the first two or three
consignments must be given away irec-
ly. in order to establish reputation,
Mr.. Brown awaited himself OF the an
vitation speedily, and, being great
friend of Fred, spread praises OF .he
sweets and drew everyone's Afternoon
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 bowl Of fresh. tempting
candies; but the placard had changed
to: Homemade, so cts. lb.;" and near
by lay little pile of empty boxes.
1t was also understood that special
orders would be filed for any favorite
kind, and that caramels and glace nuts
would only be made to order, as in the
warm southern latitude they ana not
keep well. Every possible method was
tried to make all goods attractive to
the eve; occasionally pans of peanut
and cocoanut bar were offered, piled
..corncob" fashion on tray, and from
Fred emanated the brilliant idea that
a big pan, of popcorn balls on Saturday
would be surely appreciated sby the
college boys, and this planwas
wondrous success.
Meanwhile the mending and darning
was not neglected; the mornings were
devoted to the sweets, the afternoons
to the needle. Carefully tended by Eff1e.
and by Fred after school hours, the
flower and vegetable seeds were doing
finely; and for recreation, there were
occasional moonlight walks or pleas
ant row on the lake.
Two weeks before Christmas the or
ders for confectionery poured in so
thick and fast that Louise was obliged
to announces: mo patching and darn
ing till 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. A
Christmas came, and with it pres
ent from Miss Beesley-a barrel Of nuts
from her loved New England; black
wa.lnuts, ''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
heavy expense was lifted, and the dear
old maid again proved herself friend
indeed. "a
One pleasant afternoon in January a
handsome, portly lady from the "St.
James" opened the door of the Patch
ing and DSrning Establishment" She
had light package in her hand, and
said to Louise, rather doubtfuuy:
Young woman, do you suppose you
could mend my lace shawl SO that it
will be presentable? l have torn it on
ore of the abominable wire fences with
which this country is infested" And
she opened the package, bringing to
view very ragged and discouraging
rent.
Mother taught me several lace
stitches" said Louise, quietly, land l
will do my best for YOU"
Giving her name as Mrs. Wallingford,
and with pleasant comment on the
blooming flowers jp the window, the
lady departed.
There was rather lull just now in
the candy business" private orders
coming in more seldom, so the next
morning Louise began the lace work;
it took all the spare time of that week,
but when completed it was a beautiful
piece of repairing. t
On Monday, early in the morning,
Mrs. Wallingford, accompanied by two
other ladies, called to inquire about
the work Louise was in the midst Of
her candy-malking; pan OF cocoanut
cones was just out of the oven, a kettle
of fondant had just reached the proper
consistency, the air was laden with
sweet odors, and Louise was in a big
apron up to her chin. Hastily turning
down the lamps and setting the
cream" in pan of hot water. she
went behind the counter and produced
the work. Everyone exclaimed over
its beauty, the owner being particu-
larly pleased.
II don't know how much it ought to
be-" said Louise, ingepuously; this is
tho first xvCrlx nf tho lind I have avar