Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-10-12
GIRLS BUILD HOUSES
Minnesota Maidens Rebuild Their
Burned Home.
Aided by Their Brother, the TIVE
Brave Girls DO the work of Men
TO Provide Their Widowed
Mother with shelter.


A novel and interesting scene was
witnessed last fall at East ST. Cloud
Mimi, a thriving little town. situated
about 60 miles north of Minneapolis,
on the Mississippi river. A poor WON
an lost her home by fire. The home
was not insured. The family con-
sisted Of son about 20 years Of age
and two daughters. The son worked
part Of the time at odd jobs and o1e
of the girls contributed also to the sup
portof her mother, but the income was
small. How TO rebuild the home under
these circumstances was a serious
question. After some thought and con
sideration the son arranged for sufii-
eient money 10 purchase lumber and
other material. and. with the aid Of
some friends, who helped him at odd
times, he began the work Of rebuilding
the home. But as be worked practical
ly single-handed and alone be made
slow progress, and IL soon became evil
dent, especially TO his sisters. that the
home could not be finished for oecu-
pancy before cold weather unless help
was employed. About this time a
brilliant idea suggested itself 10 one
Of the sisters. whats the matter"
said she, with you and | aiding Jim
in his work on the home. | can help
mornings before | go 10 work and in
the evening after | return, and you
can work during the whole OF the day,
and you can. in many ways do the
work OF a man. There are lots 81
things we can do, such as holding
boards in their place while they are
nailed on, and In lathing and In dozen
different ways" The plan was sug-
gested to the brother and TO the moth
er that night. but the brother would
not listen 10 1t for a moment. The
girls were pretty, and not without adj
mirable graces. The brother was
proud Of them. and be could not counte-
nance anything Of the kind. But the
more the girls thought Of il the more
determined they were to have hand
10 rebuilding the home. and the next
morning they began work. appropri-
afely clad for the undertaking. bright
and early. and no arguments or eveu
threats served 10 alter their determine
ton.
During the first few days the novel /
~ Of the scene attracted considerable /
attention. but In time the novelty wol.
of and the good work went forward
in most satisfactory manner to all 1
concerned. The rougher work was 4
looked after by the brother, with the
occasional help Of neighbor or some
curious person who CHANGED 20 visit +.
the scene Of operations.
The girls occupied their time most
faithfully in mailing on the siding. in
lathing and In doing the many neces-
sary things 10 be done In and about
the building. guided and directed by
the brother, who bad had some ex-
perience In carpenter work and in the
building Of small houses. The girls
did not confine themselves 20 the car
penter work alone. They assisted in
the brick work. the chimney and in
plastering. and they did practically all
Of the painting. both inside and out,
and before the cold weather appeared
had the satisfaction Of seeing the house
completed and occupied.
The neighbors say that, owing 10
the good taste displayed by the sisters.
il is the prettiest and contest little cot
iage in the ,own.-American Builder.