The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-10-31

-, 'Hv S>hSSA ~ ~ ~ osN
quickly added, for fear Miss Griselda
might say it before her.
1t was not long, however, before An
MES value to the household became so
~daZZlingly apparent that Miss Pauline
ceased to charge her, to Miss Griselda's
account, and almost uncOnsciOusly
transfer ed her to her own, frequently
remarking in self-congratulatiOn: ut
was a lucky thought of mine to have
a little girl in to help with the dishes
and things. 1t takes considerable off
sister, and Annie's a capable little crea-
ture, l must say"
Miss Griselda said nothing, but she
tcristically showed it by quietly, al
most surreptitiously, presenting her
with two pairs of the stockings she Knit
for the poor Of the City Mission. She
did not tell Annie to conceal these, but
she did hope that Pauline would not
notice that the child wore them.
Miss Pauline's approval Of Annie in
creased after a visit to the child's
home.
"The mother goes out washing" she
reported to Miss Griselda, land leaves
the little twin b~oys-they're nothing
but babies-at a day nursery. Armies
| dollar helps pay for that she said, and
seemed SO grateful to us. There's a
younge girl, attending school, whom
Mrs. Bergen says she car get in n
| Home, if she wants to. 1 told her l
thought 1t would be an excellent thing
| for the child. but it only sent her apron
to her eyes, so l was sorry l had said
anything. She's a very nice, tidy wom-
an, and must be quite thrifty, since she
keeps the place and the children look
ing far more presentable than l had
expected, and they don't seem to be IN
need"
did YOU ask" said Miss Griselda.
NO. but if they were needy they'd
be quick enough to say something. We
know how it is with the people who
come to the City Mission"
Yes, but do we know how it is with
the people who don't come to the City
Mission"
This was a distinctly d~isagreeable
suggestion to Miss Pauline, and it prey
ed on her mind so that when she ''took
! stock Of their winter clothing before
laying 1t away in faith and hope and
Understanding "moth-proof" bags,
she called Annie up to her, resolutely
slammed the attic door on her princi-
pies, and said, annie. have you any
sort of wrap for these spring days?"
me beaver coat" said Annie, stur-
Oily.
But nothing lighter?"
Nom"
Would you like this cape?'
"Yes'm."
Take it. then. l suppose your moth
er can shorten it. And if you care for
this dress and skirt. you can have them,
too; and here, would you like this yell
low ribbon for your little sister? It's
too gay for a big girl like you"
Miss Griselda had meanwhile boldly
knitted a striped red-and-white tam-o-
shanter for Annie, and felt a surprise
she was too wary to express that it was
not worn. They saw the yellow ribbon
the next day, decking the person Of a
large-eyed child, smaller, shyer and
more eager-looking even than Annie
To her Annie was delivering many or
ders in an important lone as she stood
on the dresser, "redding up" the highest
shelves.
Its Maggie. Her school was out, so
she came up to help me house clean.
Here, Mag, take these bottles down
cellar. and don't you break one, mind
noW!"
well, give her some supper before
she goes" was Miss Pauline's incau-
tious injunction, for which she after.
ward excused herself to Miss Griselda
with the perturbed query:
How could l know she was going to
and the next? She putters around. and
l suppose thinks she helps, but we don't
need her, and Annie don't need her,
more than a coach needs a fifth wheel;
and she getting dinner and supper here
regular as can be! You know 1 don't
grudge the child her food: it's the prin.
c.ple Of the thing. l call it cool Of An
ME, and not to be encouraged"
"Annie's no more than a child"
"Well, then, of her mother. 1t Is no
more nor less than a scheme to make
us give Maggie her meals, and I'm not
going to do it. Either her work is wort!
money. and we've no right to 1t fol-
nothing. or it isn't, and then she's nc
right to her board, any more than if
she brought those twin brothers of
hers, and maybe that'll be the next
thing"
Nevertheless, the word Of dismissal
was not said. Miss Pauline's hear,
failed her as the mouse-like little crea
ture crept around after Annie like hel
shadow, doing whatsoever any one
commanded her.
"She doesn't eat but a bite Of bread
and butter, that | can see" confessed