The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19

at last ne SAID neSi and we were very
glad-though only Alice and Oswald knew
the dark but pleasant scheme at present
fermsnting in their youthful nuts.
The captain talked a lot to u.s. At last
Noel said:
I think you are like Diarmid of the Col
den Collar, but I should like to see your
sword out and shining in the sun Ike bur-
nished silver"
The captain laughed and grasped the
hilt of his coed blade; but Oswald said
hurriedly: Don't; we sha,H,t ever have
the pursuing pTacticel Albert's uncle
knows it, but he only does it on chair,
because he hasn't a horse"
Ard that brave and beautiful captain did
really do it, He rode his horse right into
our gate when we opened it, and showed
us all the cuts and thrusts and guards.
There are four of each kind 1t was splen-
did. The morning sun shone on his fash
ing blade. and his good steed stood STILL
with all its legs stiff on the lawn.
Then We thanked him very much. and
he went away, taking his men with him.
And the guns, of course.
Then we asked my father. and he said
yes, as we knew he would. And next time
the soldiers came by-but they had no
guns this time only the captive Arabs
Of the desert-we had the keepsakes ready
wall, and the brave captain called an i'm
mediate halt.
And then the girls had the exquisite hon
or and pleasure of giving pipe and four
ounces of tobacco to each soldier. Then
We shook hands with the captain. the ser
geant, and corporals; and the girls kissed
the captain-I can't think why girls Will
kiss everybody-and we all cheered for the
Queen. 1t was grand, and wish my faith
h1l he r,Ar mob rTn,t
can DO with twelve pounds if you order
the things from the stores.
We have never seen these brave soldiers
again.
have told you all this 10 show you how
We got so keen about soldiers. and why
we sought TO aid and abet the poor widow
at the White Cottage in her desolation and
Oppressedness.
Her name was Simpkins, and her cottage
was just beyond the churchyard. On the
different military occasions which l have
remarked upon, this widow woman stood
at her garien gate ana looked on. And
after the c'eeering she rubbed her eyes
with her apron Alice noticed this slight
but signifying action.
We felt quite sure Mrs. Simpkins liked
soldiers, so we felt friendly TO her But
when we tried to talk to her she would
not She told us to go along with us, do,
and not bother her; and Oswald. with his
usual delicateness and good taste, made
the others do as she said
But we were not to be thus repulsed
with immunity. We made complete, but
cautious, enquiries, and found out that
the reason she cried when she saw SOL
diers, was that she had only one son,
boy lie was twenty-five, and he had g1re
to the war last November, so that she
thought of him when she saw the soldiers.
and that was why she cried Because when
your son is at the war, you always think
he is being killed. I don't know why. :.
great many Of them are not. II l had
son at the war, / should never think he
was dead till I heard he was, and perhaps
not then. considering everything.
After we had found this out We held a
council.
Dora said we mast do something for the
soldiers widowed mother.
We all agreed. but added. What?
Alice said, The gift of money might be
deemed an insult by that proud, patriotic |
spirit Besides, we haven't more than
eighteen pence among US"
We had put what we had to fathers |
twelve pounds. to buy more baccy and |
pipes
Dora said. Couldn't we make her fan
mel pettiooat, and leave it without word |
upon her doorstep"
But everyone said, FLANNEL pstticoats. |
low the winters Overt" so that was no go. |
Noel said he would write her a poem,
but Oswald had a deep inward feeling
hat Mrs. Simpkins would not care about
poetry. Many people do not.
H. o. said. why not sing Rule Britain
liza under her windows after she had 6 ne
o bed, like waits2" but no one else thought
Dicky thought we might get up a sub
cription for her among the wealthy and
fluent, but We said again that we knew
money would be no balm TO the naughty
mother of a brave British soldier.
What we want" Alice said, rs some
hing that will be good deal Of trouble
o US, and some help TO her.
"a little help is worth deal Of poetry"
aid Dieky. l should not have said that
myself. Noel looked sick. Because he is
poet
what does she do that we can hep
Dor asked. Besides. she won't let
is help"
H o. sail, she does nothing but work
u the garden; at least. II she does any
hing inside you can't see 1t. because she
eeps tie door shut"
Then at once We saw. And We agreed
o get up the very next day. ere yet the
osy dawn had flushed the east. and have
go at Mrs. Simpkins' garden.
We got up-we really did. But too often.
when you mean to overnight II seems so
lily TO do it when you come to waking
n the dewy morn. We crept downstairs
With out boots in our hands.
Everything is very pretty and different
n the early morning, before people are
~. / have been told this Is because the
hadows go az different way from what
hey do in the awake part Of the day.
But / don't know. Noel says the fairies
lave just finished tidying up then; any
low. it all feels quite otherwise.
We put on our boots in the porch, and
ge got our gardening tools. and We went
own to the White Cottage-it is a nice
ottage with a matched roof, like the
rawint copies you get at girls schools,
nd you do the thatch. If you can, with
BIB. pncil. And If you cannot. you just
cave it., II looks just as well. somehow,
then IL Is mounted and framed.
We looked at the garden. 1t was very
eat; only one patch was coming up thick
18th weeds. / could see grounsel. and
and others that did not know.
ye set to work with a will. We used our
lols; spades. forks, hoes, and rakes. We
eaned the weedy patch beautifully, scrap
g on all the nasty weeds. and leaving the
ice clean brown dirt. We worked as hard
S ever we could. and we were happy be-
ause 1t was unselfsh toll. and no one
bought then Of putting II in the book of
Golden Deeds" where We write down the
irtuous actions Of each other when We
appen TO notice them. We had Just done, ,
nd We were looking at the beautiful pro-
uction OF our honest labor when the cot
age door burst open. and the soIdier's
iidowed mother came out like a wild for
ado. and her eyes looked like upas-trees.
cath to the beholder.
You wicked. God-forsaken children,"
he said. ''ain't you got enough OF VOL
wn good ground to muck up and spoil,
ut you must come bothering into my little
a. /