The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-03-09
"Poor!" echoed Helen.

"roorw echoed Helen.
"But what has become OF all bis
money! said little Kate, intently knit
ting her brows. -..
I'm sure don't know" said Saba.
Mrs. pinkney doesn't go into partic-
ulars. All the rest Of the letter Is
about the sewing society, and the
chicken cholera, which has carried
off so many of her fowls"
HE must have been persuaded into
investing in some Of those dreadful
mining stocks! said little Kate.
But. girls" said Saba, what are
we to doY'
Precisely what he has always done
to u.s." said Helen. LET him alone"
mo, no, Helen" pleaded little Kate
Don't talk so. Remember, he is the
only uncle we have got. He was our
mothers brother
"And what has he ever done for
u.s." retorted Helen, bitterly.
THAT don't signify" reasoned Saba
"He is old and feeble. He needs our
care. That is enough.
Saba Is right" urged little Kate.
Uncle John mustn't be left to die
alone"
But what can we do?" said Helen.
1--WE can't bring him here"'
"No," said Saba. ut would break
his heart to take him away from the
pine forests. We must go to him."
"And all starve together7' said
Helen. Il don't see that that would
be much of IN improvement on the
present state OF things
Listen" said Saba, lifting an au-
seniority in years. and a somewhat
greater experience In the world of
work. Saba had become quite an
oracle, W've been considering it, l
can do the housework for Uncle john"
"Yes," said Helen.
'Of course" said little Kate. "And
if he hasn't been obliged to sell the
COW, We can perhaps have real creamy
milk, and now and then little cottage
cheese. Oh, wouldn't that be splen-
did!'
"Helen could make bonnets for the
farmers wives" suggested Saba. THE
| women out there know what a pretty
bonnet is as well as any one, only they
can't get it."
Bravo" cried Helen, clapping her
hands. II do think have rather
genius for the business!
"And little Kate could 80 out to
plain sewing by the day, among the
neighbors," added Saba. ''Or help
around in soap-making and preserv-
ing times. There are good many whoi
would pay fifty cents day and board
for good intelligent help And that is
a deal more than she earns here"
Little Kate looked rather sober
Il have my doubts about the plan
working" said she. But couldn't
stay here, away from you. If you all
60. why. SO will L.
''Thcn," went on Saba. 'I've laid up
six dollars toward winter coat. Uncle
John wants it more than l do. Ill
keep it for him."
There is my ten dollars In the saw
ings bank" added Helen. Il did want
pair of thick boots and a warm
winter wrap. But If Uncle John Is
really in need'---
II haven't saved any money" said
little Kate, sorrOwfully. How could
l, with my wages of two dollars a
week? But l will do all that l can
to help.
"You are dear, generous girls, both
of you" said Saba. 1T may be little
hard, just at first, but it is clearly
our duty to go to Uncle John. And
will write and tell him so this very
night"
DO" said Helen. 'I'll borrow Miss
Clitch's ink-bottle, and there are pen
and two sheets Of paper in the wash
stand drawer. l can buy a postage
stamp at the druggists on the corner.
Wouldn't a postal-card be cheap
err" said wise little Kate.
But Saba shook her head.
Would you put Uncle Johns pow
eTly Ou pOSldl-CdTu. SdIu Suc.
And little Kate answered, somewhat
abashed:
Il didn't think of that. only
thought of economizing cent.
wonder IL the time will ever come
when we don't have to think Of saw
ing?'
And little Kate put on her hat and
tripped around to the druggists,
where one particular clerk put him
self out to wait upon her.
''She has got face like daisy
said the druggists clerk. IF ever l
marry, should like wife like that!
No, she's not much of a customer Of
ours. but l have seen her at church
meetings, and l walk home with her
sometimes of an evening. She lives
in Timm's tenement-house with her
sister and cousin, and works in Gra-
cey's store. That's all | know about
her. But she always makes me think
Of a wild flower"
Uncle John Jaycox was sitting by