Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-08-18

WYE her might and successfully.
tkO9 She went back over the
\QS story of her life that even
ing as she sat there. She
was so tired, so extremely
tired, and there was no one to care that
she was tired-therc had been no one
for three weary years. The girl sighed
as she turned again to the paper and
read once more this item:
"a girl who is willing to make her
self useful can find hoard and lodging
for the summer with Mrs. Jennie Pat
rick at Round Top Farm"
1T seems as IL 1t might he chance"
said Mary. And the next morning she
went down to the store still thinking Of
1t.
Where is Round Top Farm?" she
asked Of Il fellow-clerk.
so you have seen 1t. too. have your"
said Nettie Burchard.
Both girls were in the habit Of read
ing the advertisements in whatever
papers came their way.
Yes" smiled Mary. where Is It? Do
you know? thought It might be
chance to get out Of the city for the
summer"
We'll" answered Nettie deliberate
ly. 'it may be u chance, but it's not the
chance I'm looking for. I've known
about Round Top Farm for several
years. It's about fifty miles out and
they say it's beautiful place"
"Then---" began Mary.
wait" said Nettie, holding up her
hand. There's everything on that
farm. and everything is first-class," she
ended impressively.
Mary looked puzzled.
'"The eggs are larger and fresher, the
fowls are fatter, the butter is better
grade than you can find anywhere
else" went on Nettie. land the fruits
are simply fine. wonder you've never
heard Of Round Top Farm before"
Mary glanced down at the item which
she had clipped and brought with her,
and now held In her hand.
II don't see--" she began.
Don't see.' exclaimed Nettie. what
does frst-cla down to the smallest de-
tail mean, but that Mrs Jennie Patrick
Is part.cular-cranky. as you might
say? I wouldn't go there for fifteen
minutes to make myself useful let
alone NIL summer" And with positive
nod she turned from Mary to wait upon
customer who had just come in.
Now the word particular" had no
horror for Mary. She was particular
herself and came of q line Of particular
people. AS far back as she had heard
Of her family, and that was for three
generations, she had heard stories Of
this one and that one being hard to
suit. Long ago her grandmother had
said to her, There's two kinds Of par
ticular: the fault-finding kind Of people
who like to make trouble, and the kind
of particular people who want things
right even If 1t does make trouble. All
our folks are Of the last kind"
All morning Mary thought Of these
things; and when she went to lunch
she said to herself: Il believe I'll try
Round Top Farm"
A week later she went to try 1t. And
Mrs. Patrick. having had notice of her
arrival, was at the train to meet her.
For Mrs. Patrick had suddenly develop
ed what was new phase of philan-
thropy for her.
Il am busy woman" she had re-
piled when the minister had come to her
to solicit board and lodging for some
unfortunate child of the city. II cannot
have child here-I don't understand
children"
The minister had seemed disappoint-
ed. Seeing which. she had repented Of
her decided words little. Put me
down for nothing" she had said, "and
then, if l see my way clear to do any
thing I will do 1t in my own way. /
suppose a child of the city might he of
almost any age" she added. interroga-
lively.
The minister smiled. He knew that
this busy woman" was like Dorcas Of
old, full Of good works and almsdecds
which she did," and he answered cor
daily, "TO be sure, Mrs. Patrick. ANY
age. any age" And he rose to go, quite
satisfied.
a week later the advertisement that
had caught Mary's eye appeared in the
Evening Herald.
I'VE shall see," said Mrs. Patrick. II
believe in helping, first of all. those who
are willing to help themselves. We
shall see who comes. I fancy shall
not have many applicants"