Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-10-27
A NeighbOrhOOd Plague
THE DREssMAKER looked up as the
BY Hddie r. Miek1c.

HE DRESSMAKER looked up as the
door opened. A ragged and very
dirty little boy stood there with his hand
ON the knob. Does any little boys and
girls live here?" he inquired.
The dressmaker bit off her thread and
put down the spool before she found
breath to answer: There are no little
boys here, and am the youngest little
girl" she said, smiling.
81 wish there was" said the boy, wist-
fully. WELL" with cheerful submits
sion, 'sTIl try somewhere else" He
quickly went out and closed the door
: behind him.
well! / wonder what that means p
She stared at the door. Then recollect-
ing, she took up her needle and stitched
steadily. 81 wonder if the child has no
playmates? / wonder if he is so lone
some that he is hunting some?
Lonesome? 1t was the word for a
thought which completely destroyed
her cheerful composure. The wistful-
ness in the child's voice had stirred her
own depressed pain. She took of her
=steel-rimmed spectacles, pushed aside
the silk dress, and dropped her head on
the work table. A quivering sigh es-
capped her. Then she lifted her head.
AFTER all, can't cry. Mrs. Webb is to
lie here at ten"
She knew that red eyes and swollen
nose would be a discomforting sight to
her customer.
'I'll go to see how much more sweet
ness has come out of the ground in
stead of crying"
Her loneliness had forced her to form
the habit of speaking aloud. She did
not wish her voice to grow rusty from
- disuse.
1t was tiny back yard for which she
paid the added dollar a month. Her
grass was the finest and greenest on the
square. Her flowers, the only sweets
of her life, were always the best devel-
soped, though perhaps not the pretti
est Necessarily she chose those which
required the least attention. AS she
lovingly examined each tender sprout
she heard voices on the other side of the
fence.
"Yes, Mr.. Mower will spend large
sum of money in setting out flowers
this year." drawled a languid voice.
~"You see, we are on the corner, and in
-,our yard we can make fine display"
''I am told that your next neighbor
las a beautiful little garden" re-
-sponded brisk voice.
1.-THE dressmaker?" coldly. "Ah, yes,
/ believe it is quite pretty. But you I'M
-,derstand that they are only common
flowers, such as roses, geraniums and
sweet peas. OF course, we shall be quite
unrestricted in our choice by money
considerations"
ST think l must call on Miss Rowe"
Really ?" in polite protest.
Really. It is but kind to do so. 1
can't think why I've neglected to do 1t.
IShe must be lonesome. 1 hear that she
has no relatives. and is stranger in our
city. also hear that her roomers dis
sdain to associate with her."
"Well, of course, it is not to be eX-
apected. That sort of a person is not to
be brought out of her place. 1t is not
for you to trouble yourself.
But do tell me! Has that horrid child
been to your house?"
Does any little girls and boys live
here ?'' quoted the brisk voice.
Then there was n duet of merry
daughter.
81 have had to lay strict commands |
on my children. They would play with |
him." |
"He has invaded each house in this |
row. Poor child: 1 am really sorry for |
him. Wasn't his demand amusing? |
But, dear me, we must protect our own
children"
The dressmaker had unthinkingly lis
tened. THE poor child and the poor
s6ressmaker," she murmured. There |
was a flush on her face. but think /
I've found way to make them rich.
And I shall tell it to you. dear flower
friends. This is the secret:
- If thou art sad and wouldst be COM
forted.
Stay sorrows tear.
Whatever be thy longing or thy need
That do thou give;
Sr shall thy soul be fed. and thou indeed
Shalt truly live
''I don't think you need that lesson,
sweet things. You bright sunaower, i
see how you're sheltering that delicate
-Aweet pea" She nodded good-by to herI