Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-01-09
A LITTLE BENEFACTOR,
by MARY l.. II. BRANCH.

Dy chrome ullMtnl. one cOuIu nov
70 upstairs or down. She could not
visit her kitchen, where woman hired
by the week now filed her place.
Her husband was ut work from morn
Ing till night out in the fields, and her
grown-up daughter away teaching.
She could ring bell for Mrs. Grigg
II she wanted anything, and she could
move her chuir from the window that
looked out on the back yard to the
window that looked out on the road.
But 1t was II road ON which there was
not much passing, ind the chief event
each day was the strolling BY Of per-
hups dozen children to school with
their dinner pals in the morning, and
their return home in the afternoon.
For want Of other amusement she
watched them Ianguldly at first, und
after that with increasing interest.
"Almy Chnpin and Grace Clark look
10 be pretty intimate" she often said
to herself, rs two little girls in plaid
aprons went By, sometimes cnch with
| her urn around the others whist, and
sometimes studying from one book Us
they walked, We'll, ! used to be init.
mate that same way with Almy'A
mother when | was IL girl, She was
Lucy Gray then. And now don't see
her once in six months. Folks around
here aren't very social
Mrs. lsarnIon said this resignedly
She knew how busy all the housewives
were in their homes. When she wus
vel! she had not gone out visiting very
often. There were the hens, the pigs,
the milk nnd the buttermuking to see
to, besides the meals for the men and
the housework.
But now, forced to give up work, time
passed YEARLY. She had few resources;
sewing made her nervous, and she
cared little for reading, though she had
been bright scholar when girl, and
hpd taught the district school for two
summers before she was married. Here
she was, II cleur-hcudcd WOMAN Of 45,
tied down to un invalid chair waiting
for WHAT
ii declare, ! won't spend another
minute watching that hen scratch ~
the grass" she said one morning, as SHE
rolled her chair away from the bac,
Window. tits time for the school chill
dren 10 90 by. Jimmy Grigg is swing
ing ON oln gate now, waiting for Benny
Chaplin to come along. There's Benny
now Lucy Chapin must have big
washlngs Benny goes to school ever.
morning in u clean apron, and home In
u dirty one"
She waichrd the boys salIter OIL
und then She watched till Nina
Chaplin and Grace went by. Present..
Tommy Cobb followed, running ant
stumbling, with his hand done up il
y rcd handkerchief.
lie was the lust, and for more tina,
two hours after not even dog passed
the house. 1t was tedious.
But in the afternoon Mrs. Clapir
came into Mrs. ilarmon's room witt
Benny. She said there was going to b.
q mothers meeting At the schoolhousc
and SIR wanted TO leave Benny will
Mrs. Harmon till she cnme baok,
"lie'll be good" she said. "lou sil
there, Benny, and if Mrs. Harmon wants
anything you can wait on her.
she FASTENED away, leaving her in
valid friend looking at the little round
eyed boy who sal on low chaii op
posite her. lie sat very still, for he was
being good boy.
"lienny," she said at last, "how old
are your
'six and hail. he said. II had Il
birthday in DECEMBER. Dia you know
! was born in December jhst before
Christmas? My mother always calls
me her Christmas present. ha1 d
sled and six agates on my birthday"
do you like your school?'
"Yes, do. I'm in the third reader
Jimmy Grigg and | began the primer
together, and pretty soon | went into
the first reader, but Jimmy stayed In
the prinsr. Then | went into the see
ond reader, and Jimmy stayed in the
primer. Now am in the third reader,
und Jimmy is in the prlmerye The
teacher says It's because be doesn't pro.
nounce Wen, but think he could pro-
nounce well If he would only luke
palms."
Mrs. Harmon felt that she was get
ting very interesting replies from this
laxative little boy.
1--WE read Robinson Crusoc' through
three times" he added
WAS Tommy Cobb late this morn
ing?" she asked.
Yes. but bis mother wrote him nm
excuse. liz got hurt yesterday. lie
anne to my house aud climbed on top
ii tine voodDilr Mother said. r,et