Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-05-18

there-whoever heard tell Of the like,
Why, those people pick up lots of
money in that way
''Oh, girls, see how pretty that violet
is thrown in there exclaimed Nell.
Nell thy name is frivolity," said
Jess, assuming an air of serenity.
Shame on you for interrupting such
charitable discussion over so insig-
nificant subject as a thrown-in vio-
let. AS I was about to say, I'll just
bet "a pound Of candy that they pick
up a good round sum each day"
I'll take it." said Alice, with the
sportiest air she could command.
But how are you going to find out?'
asked Mae.
The girls looked puzzled and then
laughed.
Never thought of that" said Jess.
Let me see. Girls, l have it, l have
it." she sang, dancing around the
room, ''and it'll be a Jolly lot of fun
if you will only do it,
Lend me your ears, now, each and
everyone of you. Alice, you know
sings a beautiful soprano-now, just
be still, for you know you do-Nell
can sing alto when she tries hard
enough and Mae can make a violin
talk. Well go out ourselves this very
night. What say ye?"
"Oh-h, but suppose someone should
know u.s. exclaimed the three girls.
why, We'll paint our faces and our
attic is just filled with old fancy dress
es worn at costume affairs, you know.
Anyway, no one would ever suspect us
and why should they know?" respond
ed Jess.
'But what are you going to do?
asked Nell.
"Well, you see, neither sing nor
play, so I'll tell the story and collect
the money"
Done said the girls. well do it,
but what would our mothers say?"
They never need know. My moth
er is away from home" said Jess, "and
not one of us will ever tell, I am sure"
The other three We're even surer.
Two hours later four girls emerged
from an attic and a more detected
looking quartet would be hard to i'm
agine. Dusty, ragged and forlorn,
their appearance was enough to arouse
the pity of sphinx.
"Girls,'' said Mae, "this reminds me
of the little old story of Nine. farley
and her wax works Don't you re-
member how one time they all went
up to an attic and dressed up?"
Il can't say we resemble waXworks
much, Mae" interrupted Nell stepping
before a full-length mirror, "but, say,
do you think we will do?"
Dol" exclaimed Jess. why, your
makeup is great. Girls, l think this
is simply rich. If we are going,
though, we must be off, for it is 8
o'clock now
Lucky for you we had that old VIC
lin, Mae said Jess, as they stole out
the back door.
Now, look sad," whispered their
leader, as they came near a house,
I'VE are going to stop here"
Look sad," murmured Alice, 81
couldn't possibly look otherwise. I
never felt more funeral in my life
They halted in front of the Gordons.
Jess gave the signal, Mae placed her
violin under her darkly painted chin
and played the opening chords of
sadly sweet strain. Alice and Nell be-
gan their share of the performance
and Jess beamed. 1t was surprising
how really well it sounded. The vers-
es were through and they were being
loudly applauded. It was Jess turn
now and the three girls trembled as
she went up the steps to tell her story
of woe and want. Poor little girls"
said kindly Mrs. Gordon, there's a
dime and a card to the Bureau of
Charities" Jess grasped both and
joined her companions as quickly as
possible.