The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-08-26

Has she 7" laughed her niece,
pretty Mrs. Walford. hadn't
noticed. But l know she is dreadfully
slow about her work. She is always
two or three hours behind tho neigh
borhood in getting the clothes on tho
line. l wouldn't keep her only that
she is 80 careful and particular"
"To be particular and do the work
we'll is q good deal to be said for any
one these helter er-skelter days. She
doesn't look strong do you know any
thing about her circumstances" asked
Aunt Mary.
mot thing" Mrs. Walford an
swered 81 pay her when the work is
done, and ask her no questions about
her affairs. don't know that it is any
of my business"
And yet you belong to several
charitable societies." Aunt Mary sug-
yeu said is called the 'Holping Hand"
"Oh, tho 'Helping Hand is very ex-
elusive, Aunt Mary said MIR. Wal
ford, lightly. "You have to reach
certain genteel notch before the tips
of it's aristocratic fingers are held out
to YOU"
" Arthur is always ridiculing u.s."
Helen said, little petulantly, :" but
we have done q great deal OF good,
Aunt Mary, [ can assure you and even
society must draw a line somewhere,
you know
Yes, suppose so," Aunt Mary as
about such things. never belonged
to q society in my life."
Never belonged to society !"
Mrs. Walford exclaimed in astonish-
ment. But you SOON SO familiar
with charitab lie work; ; how have you
carried it on ?'
1.-The little I have ever accomplish
ed has been by individual effort" said
Aunt Mary modestly.
ou must visit our societies, and
see how superior organized work is,"
Mrs. Walford said, rising. And oh,
yes, Aunt Mary, as you are going to
half dollar for mo when hor work is
done ?"
As she took the money, Aunt Mary
said, impulsively, docs she do that
large washing for fifty cent?' and
then added, hastily, as Mrs. Walford's
face flushed, Excuse mo, Helen, l
spoke thoughtlessly, but l have SO
manJ things to be washed to-day that
l think ought to add to this"
My visitors mover pay for their
washing, Aunt Mary it belongs with
must please yourself
A couple Of hours later, Aunt Mary,
going to the kitchen, found the woman
waiting, her thin face pale and drawn,
and tired lines around her lips and
eyes. 1t was delicate, refined face,
with gentle patience in it that touch
ed Aunt Mary's kind heart. She arose
and took off her sun bonnet as Aunt
Mary entered.
"You look very tired" Aunt Mary
said, gently. Don't be in a hurry to
go. Come out on the porch and rest
awhile in one Of the rockers"
"No, thank you, I can not stop.
am needed ct home" thon as Aunt
Mpry put dollar in her hand she
added, anxionsly, 81 can not change
it haven't you half dollar ?"
"YOu had so many of my clothes, to-
day, 1 think you have earned the
dollar" Aunt Mary said, smiling.
An eager look fitted across her
face, and she answered. ut is not
usual, believe, to pay for q few extra
need it So much, and q half dollar
more would" she stopped, flushing
scarlet, and turned nervously to the
door.
Aunt Mary laid OBTAINING hand on
On her arm, and said with gentle
sympathy, Don't think me intrusive
but will you not tell me your trouble?
| am sure you are carrying burden
let me share it,
The sudden tears gushed FORTH and
the poor creature sank sobbing into q
chair but she quickly controlled her.
self and looking up wistfully, said, 81
don't often give way like this hope
you will excuse it in me-
hnpt Manu- pp66ol etr,,l/ipor bo
toilwOrn hand she hold.
-"Things are very hard with us just
now" she went on, " My husband has
had no work, only an odd job or so,
since the shops closed last year. We
have four children, and l am not very
strong and so slow at my work, that
we can hardly get enough for them to
eat"
"You are conscientious worker"
Aunt Mary iEterposed, "haven't the
societies helped you ?"
"A little at first" the woman an
swered, "but they seem to think we
are not deserving and that my husband
Is idle and shiftless. Heaven knows
he would thankfully take anything to
do, 80 that he could be earning some
thing. Oh why do they not have
work enough, some how or other, SO
that all the poor men could take caro-
OF their families. The poor must have
work or starve, If they are too proud
and honest to beg or steal" She spoke
with passionate earnestness; then
started up suddenly adding, g. must
CO., l ought to have gone at once. Oh
ma'am, you will understand what O
heartache I have, and how grateful I
am to you for this extra half dollar,
when [ tell you that my little ones
have had nothing but q scanty break.
fast OF potatoes to-day, and will have
nothing until | get homo. Robbie,
the oldest one, is q cripple, and takes
care of the rest while am away"
"Why didn't you tell us that your
children wero going hungry? ?" Aunt
May said, as she rapidly packed &
basket with food. st is wicked to let
them suffer and not speak of it,"
Nobody ever spoke to me about II
BEFORE" the woman answered, "and 1t
is very hard to make people lister
when they do not want to. [ have
tried to, sometimes, but couldn't force
my troubles on them when they didr't
care I've wished so many times that