The Van Buren press., 1900-12-22

never ulu Sucn u
thing in my life before! 1t just
seemed like everything went, all on a
sudden! hain't been rale strong,
some way, for long time"
"No," DR.. Temple answered, quietly.
"But 1t don't do to give up! What
with the fruit season and harvestin',
thrashin' and the like, there's a 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, II your
friend over there fell to squeaking,
grinding and swapping thread, should
you go on working at full speed"
"Why, that wouldn't be very smart
in me, sir, to wear II outl should
stop and DILL"
"Thou sayst the thing mean!
Your old worn.out 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 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") grasped
the situation at once, and realized its
hopelessness. II is oil very well for n
rich man to prescribe rest and
change, but another matter to follow
his advice when the purse Is fabby
and family cares crying with a voice
which will not be comforted. A pit
sous little smile drew down the COR
ners Of Mrs. Merrie's mouth.
"Oh, Ak me out little quinine,
doctor, or calomel! You know I
can't leave home! Christmas Is here,
and the poor children have been slav.
Ing away at their books and must
have their good time. I'm oil right"
DR.. 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. ~ know what DR.
Temple thinks" she said, valiantly
"He thinks " you cannot rest-wltf
grown.up dnughters-your case Il
hopeless, and he gives II up. Yor
can follow the advice; she shall hav,
her vacation, sir!"
spoken like mani" the doctor
answered, heartily. derry wore hei
hair cut close, and walked and talked
with a slight swagger,) "Take car,
OF her, mothers are not u drug II
the market, I will go now-goot
day, friendsl hope to see roses OF
those cheeks before spring comes"
"What n very absurd mani" tn,
mother exclaimed, dropping weakl,
back against the pillow. "Why dit
yon send for him, gIrlsw
because" Jerry answered, rising
70 the height OF self-nccusation, 'be
cause we needed some one 10 tell Vi
how selfish we are! In school, ever,
one Of us---not u soul to give you I
hands turn, And IN vacation--oh,
with a remorseful groon--"lnst vaca
lion made crazy quil,sl"
"And very pretty they were, too
I'm sure. What's the matter Will
you all? ! amt complainant"
"Of course not. hut we're pdi
all the same. She shall have her va
ention-what do You say, glrls?"
"Chrlstmas or no Chrlstmnal" wa
the verdict.
LAST summer" Jim remarked
gravely, ~ went Off to Cousin Vics
and kept my hands white. fts ma
turn now"
'But ma nin't agoin TO your CousiI
yIc's," Mrs. Merrle announced, resc
lately. "Ma's ngoln' TO stny RICH
here. zee me a.askln' your poor y,
for money!"
The word money" brought frowl
70 four faces. "Well, we'll get sup
per aud talk II over" Joe said. sober
lyon lie stIll and rest"
sAa" MA nothing lesth II We