The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-12-21

"No," DIR. Temple answered, quietly.
"But it don't do to give up! What
with the fruit season and harvestin',
:. thrashin' and the like, there's a sight
!. to do. I don't see why I have this
give down now-just at Christmas!
q It's too bad!" Ff.
S sand may be worse" the physician
], replied, his keen glance resting on
2 the sewing machine piled high with
q unfinished work. "Mrs. Merrie, if your
!. friend over there fell to squeak;ng.
grinding and swapping thread. should
z You go on working at full speed?'
why, that wouldn't be very smart
= in me, sir, to wear it out! I should
stop and oil!''
Thou sayst the thing I mean!
Your old worn-out body bids you be-
ware. I'm, not going to give you any
medicine You need, rest-absolute
rest. L advise you to accept the good
cheer of the season; leave home, and
take a vacation"
- -Four solemn young faces turned
n blankly to the stern one of the man
of science. Mother leave home! Jack
and Joe, Jim and Jerry (diminutives
4 of. Jacqueline, Josephine, :Jemima and
Jerusha, the Merry Jays") grasped
the situation at once, and realized its
hopelessness. It is all very well for a
rich man to prescribe rest and
- change, but another matter to follow
his advice when the purse is fabby
and family cares crying with voice
which will not be comforted. A pit
eous little smile drew down the cor
ners of Mrs. Merrie's mouth.
n ooh, fix 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 all 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. 81 know what DR..
Temple Thinks" she said, valiantly.
''He thinks if you cannot rest-with
grown-up daughters-your case is
hopeless, and he gives it up. You
can follow the advice; she shall have
her. vacation. sir!"
- sSpoken like q mani" the doctor
answered, heartily. DERRY wore her
hair cut close, and walked and talked
with a slight swagger.) "Take care
of her; mothers are not drug in
the market. I will go now-good
day, friends! I hope to see roses on
those cheeks before spring comes
what a very absurd mani" the
mother exclaimed, dropping weakly
back against the pillow. why did
you send for him, girls?''
Because" Jerry answered, rising
to 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
hands turn. h And in vacation-oh,"
with a remorseful groan-"last vaca-
ton l made crazy quilts!"
Sand very pretty they were, too,
I'm sure. What's the matter with
y you all? I amt complainin'!'' -
ss.0f 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 b
y LAST summer" Jim remarked,
gravely, 81 went off to Cousin vic's,
and kept my hands white. It's mas
turn now"
But ma amt agoin' to your Cousin
Vic's," Mrs. Merrie announced, reso-
1utely. MAS agoin' to stay right
here's I see me a-askin' your poor pa
for money!"
& The word money" brought frown
to four. faces. "Well, we'll get sup
per and talk it over" Joe said. sober
". "You lie still and rest
50 Ma" was nothing loath. It was
very pleasant lying there in the twi-
light, watching the shadows clasp
hands and dance along the rafters
Even the odor of camphor. suggestive
of illness, did not trouble her. The
room grew very quiet. She was
little girl again, out in her fathers
boat hunting pond lilies. when Jim
patted her hand.
"Here'ssyour toast and tea, moth
err" she said, shaking her a little
'.Take it now while it's hot. We've
talked it all over with pa, and have
decided about your vacation. You are
to have one. We win take you on
to-morrow." Luxurious idleness pre-