The Newtown bee., 1901-07-19

as to what made this such a queer world, where boys seemed to do as they pleased, and mammas seemed to do as they did not please. Before the puzzle was half way solved, he heard the boys and men coming back with the snow now all nicely packed in bar rels ready to be taken to the church. The boys, catching a glimpse of Rob, cried:
 "Come on, Rob, up to the church!'
 They helped him on to the wagon up among the barrels. At the little church all was happy hustle, tables being set in the basement, pans wiped out, ready for the snow, the cans of syrup conveniently arranged for pour the ladies were decorating the pulpit and the stands in the corner of the platform, with vines and flowers. Rob was most interested spectator of it all. He was cautiously touching the keys of the cabinet organ, the best the small church could boast, when one of the ladies stepped up with vase of flowers to put upon it.
 "How do you do, Rob-" she said pleasantly. "How is your mother and the baby? Is she coming up to- night?''
 hashfully, "perhaps so."
 The ladies at the other end of the platform stopped their work and lis tened to his reply, Rob heard one housefuil of boys, she never goes anywhere. No one seems to think they would stay once in a while, and let the poor mother enjoy a free moment.'
 After that, somehow, Rob's pleasure vanished. He told the boys he was going home and would not wait to ride. All the way home "No one seems to think they could stay" sounded in his little ears.
 At dinner Rob watched his mamma. She looked so tired and sad. When the boys rushed in full of importance, complimented them for their ready assistance and thorough work, mamma smiled proud, weary little smile, and quietly said: "I used to be good church worker when girl, but now my boys must take my place while take care of them"
 Auntie Ray dryly interposed, "I have known of boys, not as large as these little men, who took care of themselves, and their mamma and sis ter were not obliged to always remain at hOme.".
 '"The lady at the church said mamma was poor thing who never went any where," blurted out Rob, who had been listening intently; and before the astonishment at this unexpected bom- tinued, land she said, Seems no one thinks they could stay and let her en- joy free moment 1 guess l won't go tonight, ''he faltered in conclusion. For few minutes no one spoke. Rob was rather frightened at the silence and timidly glanced around. Mammals eyes were full of tears. The boys looked flushed, a shamed amaze ment on their faces. Frank, ROb's oldest brother, was first to recover himself.
 "Why, Rob, we are working for the minister; if we did not volunteer to help him he would be obliged to pay men to assist him; that would reduce pie come tonight we sell the maple sugar and the money helps pay his salary"
 "Do all the mammaS work for the men, so they can work for the minis ter?" asked Rob, simply.
 Auntie Ray began to laugh. Papa and Uncle Ned came in just then. Papa exclaimed: "Well, boys, is every thing ready for the "Sugar Eat"
 ''We ought to go back this afternoon and finish the unpacking of the syrup canS,' said Frank.
 "Wen, you remember the butter has to be packed and ready for the five o'clock train," replied papa.
 "Oh, mother can do -" began Frank, then stopped.
 His father and Uncle Ned looked surprised and rather mystitied.
 Auntie Ray, shaking her head at papa, said, "Never mind now; but Frank realizes that possibly a mother, as well as minister, needs help."
 Rob had finished his dinner hastily, and without a word ran up to his little room, opened a drawer, pulled out small purse, and not once gIancing at its contents, emptied it into his pock- ct, went down the front stairs to the hat rack, put on his best hat and walked straight to the minister's home. As he walked up the path he saw MT Salisbury sitting at his desk by the window. The door was open and Rob entered without knocking, and proceeded to the desk. MT Sails bury, hearing footsteps, turned and seeing who is was, smiled and held out