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

1
be much of an Improvement on the
present state of things"
Listen" said Saba, lifting an au-
thoritative forefnger. From trifing
seniority in years, and a somewhat
greater experience in the world of
work." Saba had become quite an
oracle, 1--WE been considering it. 1
can do the Homework 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 a little cottage
cheese. Oh, wouldn't that be splen-
didT
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 l have rather a
genius for the busness!"
"And little Kate could 60 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 who,
would pay fifty cents a day and board
for good intelligent help. And that. Is
q deal more than she earns here
Little Kate looked rather sober.
II have my doubts about the plan
\ inn rl.n ~
stay here, away from you. If you all
go, why, SO will -
Then" went on Saba, 1--WE laid up
six dollars toward a winter coat. Uncle
John wants it more than 1 do. I'll
! 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
1, with my wages Of two dollars
week? But l will do all that l can
to help.
you are dear, generous girls, both
of you, said Saba. ut may be a 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. ''Tll 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
er?" said wise little Kate
But Saba shook her head.
Would you put Uncle Johns pow
erty on a postal-card?' said she.
And little Kate answered, somewhat
abashed:
Il didn't think of that. 1 only
| thought Of economizing a cent. I
wonder If 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 a daisy"
said the druggists clerk. "If ever
marry. / should like a 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 Ora
cey's store. That's all know about
her. But she always makes me think
of wild flower"
Uncle John Jaycox was sitting by
his fireside when his niece's letter
came. The fire of birch logs blazed
gloriously up the chimney; pair of
fat, home-run candles glittered on the
table. In all the room there was no
evidence of gripping poverty.
YES" said Uncle John to a tall
young man who sat opposite, 81 guess
I'll have you here to run the farm for
me, Israel Penfield. It's gettin' too
much for me to manage alone But as
for some woman to keep house for me,
fool enough to marry old Simpson
Eth? what?-a letter? I'm obleeged to
you, Miss Pinkney! Stop and take a
warm while read 1t, and I'll git you
basket of gillifower apples to carry
home afterward. They're jest spilin'
to be eaten, them gilliflowers isl
But as he perused his letter, a curl
Gus expression stole over his rugged
features.
''Sakes aliver' said he, stamping
one foot on the floor. what in cfe-
alton does all this mean? guess Wen
have enough housekeepers, Israel. |
Here's my three nieces from New
York a-comin' to live with me- because
Mrs. Pinkney here has writ 'em that
I've lost my property. And they're
goin' to take care of me. Welt
swami
II didn't write no sichr' whined
Mrs. Pinkney, with rather an alarmed |
air. 81 only said you was dreadful poor
in health. l meant the lumbago anu
rheumatic. / didn't say nothin' about |
money"
well, no matter what you said, MIR |
what you didn't say" declared Uncle
John, crumpling up the letter in his
hand and staring at the fire. ''The
gals think I'm poor, and they're COM
in here to support me, and make
home for me in my old age-bless their |
hearts! / don't know why they should
do it," he added, with conscience
for them. And Kate and Helen are |
my sister James darters, and Saba is |
Hepsy's only child. And they're work
in for Twin, and I've got more'n l |
knorxr hat 10