The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-18

right. In eXuberant JOY ne perform
ed sort of double shuttle with not
nearly the grace of dancing bear.
Ending the uncouth performance,
and again supported by the gate
which in its dilapidated condition
swayed with the burden, he awaited
an answer. 81 am having a good
time, Ben," she said pleasantly. "You
know it's very hard times. Every
cent we can get has to be used for
things we must have. Mrs. Brayton
let me have these towels to hem, and
is going to pay me FIVE cents apiece
for doing them. Now the shop has
shut down father can't get much to
do, but most every day he finds lit
tie work. What does your father do9''
"Oh, he sets round most O the
time; Mother says he can find some
thing to do when he's out of tobacco.
She says she won't buy that for him.
Father says he has just as good right
to take life easy as them bowling
swells have who go riding about in
their carriages"
How do you live?"
Mother she takes in washing. |
go after the clothes and take 'em
| home on wheel barrow most always.
We get wood and something to eat
that way"
"Of course that helps little" said
Mollie, "but think great boy like
you might-why What is the mat
ter?" for with an exclamation, Ben
had darted out of sight around the
corner of the house as little girl
came swiftly up the lane on tricycle.
her crimson dress futtering in the
wind; her hat had blown off, and
hanging by cord displayed her
short, brown, fluffy curls.
A delicate looking child with faint
rose-tints on cheek and lips and her
clear, hazel eyes shining from exer-
else. Pausing at the gate, she said,
81 saw you from the street, SO thought
I'd ride up here moment. There's
that baby brother you told me about,
and peeking at me-" Mollie caught
the little fellow up and brought him
to the gate; directly he clapped his
dimpled hands and laughed, to the
delight of the little girls.
ellis eyes are blue, like yours, Mol
lie. Mamma says she wishes l was
more like you in being thoughtful
and good"
ooh, not always good, I'm cross
sometimes, ard SELFISH" said Mollie
blushing. Il had crying spell once
just because I couldn't have dress
like this one OF yours. 1 was ashamed
and sorry afterwards, for mother cried
too, and said she knew just how |
felt, that she often wanted things she
couldn't have, and understood how
hard it was for me. l don't tease her
much since then"
"Look, Mollie, the baby is pulling
up that Liveforever!" She had set
him on the grass; now picking him
up, he brought both hands full with
him. "It's the first time," said Mollie,
che has ever got at it. | don't want
them pulled up, they're all l have for
flowers, he likes me to blow them up
for pin-cushions."
"Why, Mollie, I can give you a lit
tie rose bush and some geraniums, all
growing in little jars; you can have
them any time if you can come after
them"
"How glad | would be of themp
exclaimed Mollie; but will your
mother be willing?"
"Oh, yes, and they belong to me;
she likes you SO much since you
brought me home that day when l
hurt my foot; come whenever you can
for them. Good bye; It's time for me
to be at homer" and with quick
turn she sped away.
Mollie again was busy with her
sewing when Ben made his appear
ance with, "What did the fine Miss
Salmagundi wanti"
"Don't you call Flossie Brayton
names. She is no more to blame be-
cause her folks are rich, than we are
because ours are poor" exclaimed
Mollie Indignantly. Then more soft,
ly, Mother says God put us here and
that we ought to do the best we can
in our places, Ben," she continued
earnestly, do you love your moth
err"
"You bet l dc" was the prompt an
swer.
"Then why don't you do more for
her' Why don't you save your
money and make yourself decent with
it? That will please her. You'll
grow to be like some of the men
around here, ragged and lazy, smok-
ing, chewing and doing nothing for