The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-02-24
"a RAY OF SUNSHINE

1t was black day in the month of
January. The wind was cold and rain
was falling, that froze as fast as it
reached the earth, making the walks
/ dangerous to pedestrians Those who
4 had business that called them out,
! shuddeered, thinking of the falls they
were likely TO get, and those who were
not obliged to leave their homes, con-
graduated themselves on their good
/ fortune. The trees were covered with
a coating of ice that threatened de-
/ struction to the tender limbs.
What disagreeabIe day." eX-
claimed Mrs. Foster, as she looked
/ from the window OF her comfortable
sitting-room at the gloomy scene with
out.
How thankful I am that 1 don't
have to go out today. I did my mar
keting yesterday. Such days as this
my bones ache. Isabel, don't you think
we had better finish lacking those
comfortables? We are not likely to
be interrupted by callers today"
Why, mother l don't know, Sup
pose we wait until sunshiny day to
finish the lacking. l Will be busy to-
day with my nvaIids," replied the
daughter
'1nvalids! Isabel? Surely you do not
mean to go out visiting such day as
this?' exclaimed Mrs. Foster
Why not? When l wear my long
ulster and fur cape l do not feel the
cold, and my rubber boots will protect
my feet and keep me from slipping on
the icy walks. I'm glad my geraniums
are so full of blossoma. l can take
Aunty Hunter a bouquet. She is so
fond of flowers. and poor soul, she new
er sees any unless they are carried to
her" said Isabel hurTying with her
work of busting the sitting room.
Surely, Isable, you do not mean
to walk a mile and a half such a day
as this, Just to visit old Mrs. Hunter?''
expostulated Mrs. Foster.
Certainly, mother, it won't hurt
me- and think what dreary, desc
late day to DE shut in. with no one to
run in to see if you are comfortable
reasoned the CHEEKY Isable.
There, l hear my sparrows calling
me, l nearly forgot them thi morn
ing. Poor things, the ground is frozen
and they can't find a crumb any
where"
Going to the pantry she procured
generous slice Of bread. and opening
the window she crumbled the bread,
on a bench that stood under it, Did
you think 1 had forgotten you?" she
asked, as the little birds hoped mer-
rily about, eagerly picking up the
crumbs that had been scattered for |
them. Your drinking pan is empty, |
too" So going to the kitchen she |
returned with a cup of water which |
she poured into the pan.
A neighbOr. Miss DenisOn, passed |
while Isabel was engaged with her |
birds. and called out. 1T seems to |
me YOU take a good deal of trouble |
for the sake Of q few birds. DOu you !
think they are worth it?" she asked. |
-.
such are worth my while" replied |
Isabel. throwing more crumbs to the |
birds before she closed the window, and |
returned to hes work Of dTsting
What strange girl Isabel is
said Miss Denison, coming into the
room where Mrs. Foster was at work
an hour later. Il saw her going out
a while ago with a basket on her
arm. [ presume she has gone to visit
her invalids. Who else could think
Of going so far on so stormy a day?"
Yes. Isabel has queer notions" sighed
Mrs. Foster. She says she likes to go up
to visit her sick friends on gloomy days.
because they need cheering up more then
than on sunshiny days. There's old
Grandma Smith. She has rheumatism
ana in damp weather is very miserable so
Isabel likes to go to cheer her up. and
ia bel can do It. if ii is to be done" said
the fond mother proudly. She carries
bright little clippings from newspapers
she mas pdSltu III Il small scrap
book. So il viii be easier to handle and a
maj zine or two. and some times a pretty
sacred picture. The old lady can read at
Ter leisure. and she says she always feels
better after a visit from Isabel Then
aunty Hunter is nearly as bad off as
Grandma Smith. She has no one to stay
With her. for her daughter works in a
'actory and is away all DAY. The old
ady feels the cold very badly, and is
HELPLESS on such days as this. Isabel
1lans to get to her room about noon, then
me makes her cup of tea and some
cast. and tries to brighten up her room
some She carried large bouquet of
,eraniumS with her today when she
vent said Mrs Foster putting a lump
II coal on the cheerful CRATE fire.
Meantime the Young woman was on her