The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-03-23
BIZ HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

Tea is ready, girls" said Saba
Thorn.
Tear
It was no luxurious repast of but
tered toast, fragrant Oobng, honey
and preserves; no comfortable repast
Of cold fowl, tongue, ported meats and
biscuit hot from the oven.
When Saba Thorn called 1t "tea,"
she merely used a conventionalism.
1t was only a scanty meal of bakers
bread, with a pat of cheap butter, a
little smoked beef, which had been
bought from the corner grocers in a
brown-paper cover, and some milk and
water. blue and tasteless; for Saba
and her two cousins found 1t necessary
to economic very strictly indeed.
Saba worked for an upholsterer. All
day long she stitched pillow-ticks and
tufted mattresses in q dark room,
where there was a prevailing smell
Of rancid geese-feathers.
Her cousin, Helen, stood behind
the counter Of a milliner's shop on
the Bowery; and little Kate-the
youngest Of the three-was packer"
In fancy store, and could do I'D more
neat paper parcels in a given time than
would be believed possible.
They were all three pallid and color
less, like plants that had grown in a
cellar. They all three had a certain
languor of manner, and spoke in low
suppressed voices.
They lived together in this one room
with a little alcoye running out of it,
because 1t was the cheapest mode of
existence, and because their scant
earnings, dubbed together, could be
laid out to better advantage than If
expended singly. Moreover, to these
poor, homeless girls, there was home
feeling In being together.
II don't feel hungry" said Helen,
with a grimace.
IT am so tired Of bread and butterw
sighed little Kate. "Oh, If could only
have some of the stewed grapes that
mother used to maker
taking letter off the mantel. 'T've
heard from old Mrs. Pinkney. She
wants us to buy a fashionable fall bon
net for her If we can get 1t for a dol
lar and a half; and to look out for a
bargain for Louisa James winter
frock. She wants the very best quail
ity, and she can't go higher than thir-
ty-seven cents yard. And she wishes
to know IL we are acquainted with
anybody In the business who will dye
ever her pea-green silk skirt at half
price"
Helen shrugged her shoulders.
''She must think we have plenty of
time to execute her commissions" said
she.
'Thirty-seven cents a yardr cried
little Kate. "And a fall hat for dol
lar and half. Does the woman ex-
pect impossibllitiesT
"But that isn't ALL" said Saba.
uncle John Is very poor. She thinks
his relations ought to look after him."
uncle Johnw said Kate.
"Poor!' echoed Helen.
"But what has become of all his
money! said little Kate, intently knit
ting her brows.
I'm sure I 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
of 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 doT
"Preciselyswhat he has always done
to u.s." said Helen. LET him alone"
mo, no, He!enw 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
rsT 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 b left 70 die
alone"