Waterbury Democrat., 1901-08-29
Compromise Hall
 The Courtrywornan's Club
By Hervey White.

| U
 front of Blake's grocery when the | quarrel reached it's climax. Dave Bab-
 bitt was in his wagon, and Townsend,
 the harnessmaker, was on the side walk.
 "The lot is mine and ! intend to keep | it if it costs me the farm to do it!''
 Dave was saying, with determination.
 You'll find I can spend as much money on lawyers as you oan!" Town
 send sneered.
 ''I bought the land and paid for it. ?
 And I had a mortgage on the house."
 That mortgage is void."
 "You will have to prove that in court"
 '.Get upi' said Dave, savagely, to his horses, and Townsend was left stand ing triumphant.
 What an ugly expression on Dave's i face" meditated Lucinda. five al- ways thought Dave handsome, but to- day he looks capable of murder"
 She entered the dingy little store and waited till her turn came to be served The ill-ventilated place was foul from the sickening smell of to- bacco smoke and tobacco juice. Then the staring publicity was hateful. Lu- cinda particularly commiserated Bo- hemian woman who was nursing a baby in that bad air; another woman was shrinking in the semidarkness of corner, with look of restless weari- ness in her eyes.
 Lucinda kept thinking of these wom- en all the slow, dreary way home. | A sudden inspiration came to her. She stopped the horse. If there were only some one to do itl Why can't I? After all, it's wom- ans work, and goodness knows I'm lonely and need interest,"" Her black eyes shone and her cheeks | flushed at the idea.
 Emma Hendricks can help me-" she said. 'T'll drive back to Plainview now"
 So Mack was turned three miles out of the way, and finally left to look over a fence at Dave Babbitt's two blow horses, who were rubbing noses to- | gether. Meanwhile Lucinda talked, and Dave frequently shook his head.
 "So you think you can do it" she said, after awhile.
 | '.No, Miss Evans. I'd like to do it., stand vacant till the question is set tied in court. It may be year, or two years"
 "But want the use of that house." "Well, I'm sorry, Miss Evans, but
 'What if I take possession ?'' said Lu- cinda. "Will you have right to put me out?"
 "No; but"
 "Will MT. Townsend have right to put me out 2"
 "I should guess notl" said Dave Bab- bitt, decidedly.
 "Well, then I'll take possession" !" said Miss Lucinda, with spirit. And Pll keep the house in repair till the question is settled. Get up, Mack!" and away she drove. "A spirited woman," said Dave Bab- bitt. looking after her.
 From this day Mack began a life of new activity. Every morning he was put into the shafts. There was not a house in the township that Miss Lucin- da did not visit, and at every place she insisted on getting something for the new clubhouse. .'I want every woman to give something, then she will feel she has right there; and want you to come whenever you can, and help Miss Hendricks with the carpet rags. Miss Hendricks is always there, and though she can't work much with that crippled hand she will always show the rest what to do, and make you well come and give you good cup of tea" And the donations Miss Lucinda re- ceived! And the trouble she was put to to make use of themi-for each woman would expect to see her contri- button every time she came to the club 1 house. Carpet rags and pieces for bed quilts, and picture frames without any pictures, and pictures without any framesl One woman gave an old bu- reau, and another chair without any bottom, but Dave Babbitt promised to mend it. Another gave a lamp, and another washstand; dishes, cups and saucers were accepted; another chair, a small table, a baby's crib, peram- bulator, a huge old-fashioned bed stead. One Bohemian woman brought forth from chest six yards of beauti- full golden-brown silk and insisted on making it into curtain for the front window. There were clock and two rugs and some pillows. Everything a house could demand was gradually l gathered together and arranged in the cottage on the corner. How did Miss Lucinda first get in? | She went with several of the women, and they put a small boy through the window, and then they handed him a screw driver. He did the rest Then 1 they had new locks put on the doors and put the keys in their pockets. Every day Emma Hendricks was | there from nine ;n the morning till 1 four in the afternoon. The women i brought her farm supplies for salary. 1, vegetables, pieces of ham, chickens, i pies, apples, sansages-all she could !, eat, and more, too. So she sold the sur l plus, by Lucinda's advice, and this was ! the beginning of the system which pro- !. vided her with small salary as cus- i todian.
 !! Soon there was an awakening in the country; the women were becoming acquainted. On Saturday afternoons {; they came with their husbands; the 1 little house was overfowing. and babies and children romped in the