Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1900-12-22


thing in my life before! 1t just
seemed like everything went, all on a
sudden! l hain't been rale strong.
some way, for long time"
NO." DIR. Temple answered, quietly.
"But il don't do to give up! What
with the fruit season and harvestin',
thrashin' and the like, there's n sight
to do. / don't see why ! have this
give down now-just at Christmas!
It's too bad!"
"And may be worse" the physician
replied, his keen glance resting on
the sewing machine piled high with
unfinished work. Mrs. Merrie, il your
friend over there fell TO squeaking,
grinding and swapping thread. should
you 60 on working ut full 'speed?"
''Why, that wouldn't be very smart
in me, sir, to wear ii out! should
stop and oil"
"Thou sayst the thing mean!
Your old WORKOUT body bids you be-
ware. I'm not going to give you any
medicine. You need rest-absolute
rest. ! advise you to accept the good
cheer OF the season; leave home, and
take q vacation"
Four solemn young faces turned
blankly to the stern one OF the man
OF science. Mother leave home! Jack
and Joe, Jim and Jerry (diminutives
of Jacqueline, Josephine, Jemima and
Jerusha, the 'Merry Jays'O grasped
the situation at once. and realized its
hopelessness. 1t is all very well for n
rich man TO prescribe rest and
change, but another matter to follow
his advice when the purse is flabby
and family cares crying with n voice
which will not be comforted. A pit
eous little smile drew down the cor
ners Of Mrs. Merrie's mouth.
"Oh, fix me out q little quinine,
doctor, or calomel! You know I
can't leave home! Christmas Is here,
and the poor children have been slav-
isg away at their books and must
have their good time. I'm all right"
DIR. Temple snapped the straps Of
his case and arose. "When you col
lapse again." he said, coldly, ''you had
better call another doctor-one who
will give calomel."
Jerry, youngest of the Jays, had
been standing remorsefully by her
mothers chair. 81 know what DIR.
Temple thinks" she said, valiantly.
''He thinks IL you cannot rest-with
grown-up daughters-your case is
hopeless, and he gives 1t up. You
can follow the advice; she shall have
her vacation. sir!"
spoken like n mani" the doctor
answered, heartily. derry wore her
hair cut close, and walked and talked
with slight swagger.) "TQke care
of her; mothers are not drug in
the market. ! will go now-good
day, friendsl / hope to see roses on
those cheeks before spring comes"
"What n very absurd mani" the
mother exclaimed, dropping weakly
back against the pillow. "Why did
you send for him, girls"
Because" Jerry answered, rising
10 the height of self-accusation, "be-
cause we needed some one to tell us
how selfish we are! In school, every
one of us-not a soul to give you q
hands turn. And in vncation-oh,"
with q remorseful gronn-''last vaca-
tion made crazy quilts!"
"And very pretty they were, too,
Tn sure. What's the matter with
you allP / amt complainant"
"Of course not. But we're guilty
all the same. She shall have her va
cation-what do you say, girls?"
"Christmas or no Christmas!" was
the verdict.
Last summer" Jim remarked,
Rraveiy. II went off to Cousin vic's,
and kept my hands white. It's mas
turn now"
-But ma ain't agoin' TO your Cousin
yic's," Mrs. Merrie announced, reso-
lutely. '.Kla's agoin' to stay right
mere. see me a-aslxin' your poor pa
for money!"
The word money" brought frown
10 four faces. -WeIl, wen get sup
per and talk Il over" Joe sid. sober
81 'Ton ne sfill and rest"
.'tH VA nothing Ioaih. n u1s