Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-02-28


resignedly. "Why, carpet at 60 cents
yard would come to-how much,
Tom?"
"Wouldn't it depend somewhat upon
the number of yards, grandma? sug-
gested Tom, who was putting on his
great-coat in the hall.
well, say five breadths of yard
wide, each five yards long," said grand
ma, in business tone.
"A carpet of five yards square-25
yards, at 60 cents per yard-$15," an
nounced Tom, promptly.
Grandma looked up at him admiring-
ly through her glasses.
'Tt's good thing to have head for
figures. AS for me, never could put
two and two together. But We'll have
to give up that carpet, I'm afraid,
though it's a great bargain. Mrs.
Hackett gave full $50 for it, and had
it only one year, shut up in her parlor
where it was scarcely trod upon. I'd
like to get it for Johns wifes room;
but we've too many other uses for
money just now"
What a pity?" said Lizzie, who was
sitting on the window-sill, dangling
one foot just above the floor. THE
room will look so bare and COM
fortress without carpet, and John is
80 anxious to have everything nice for
Alice.
wouldn't the parlor carpet do?" in
Quired Tom, demurely. Il heard you
say it was getting too shabby for the
company room.'
mo, it wouldn't do at ALL" answered
Lizzie, sharply. How would the par
ior look with bare floor at Thanks
giving and Christmas?"
And Sunday evenings" said I, in
dignantly.
"Oh," said Tom, brushing his hat,
II had forgotten that. No, certainly.
Young Mr.. Smith wouldn't find it COM
Portable; nor the doctor either.
They might be afraid of catching cold,
and go away early"
II think l hear the stage, Tom"
said Lizzie, leaning flushed face from
the open window.
Tom kissed us all around, and went
out with his valise to meet the stage.
He was a drummer to the biggest man
ufacturing firm in the town and was
always coming and going.
Tom would be back in six weeks
In time to meet John and his wife, on
their arrival at the old homestead.
John was making good match, and
he and his wife were to stay with us
all winter, while his own house was
being built, about a mile distant, and
we were all anxious to have everything
Dice for Alice.
Liz and I, waving Tom last adieu
from the porch, returned to the sitting
room.
Cousin Armenia had laid aside her
knitting and, seated in a low chair in
front of grandma, was leaning forward
and talking, with that keen light in
her gray eyes which always bespoke
some new idea or inspiration.
''You see, Aunt Dorothy, 'twould be
sheer extravaganza to give SIS for
carpet for bedroom. Now, when 1
was girl, l made two splendid rag
carpets; and though it's twenty years
ago, I've not forgotten how to do it.
Suppose l jest set to work and make
one for Johns wifes room?"
"A rag-carpet?" said Lizzie, dis
dainfully
Eyes, child, rag-carpet. If twas
called by some high-sounding name
suppose folks would like it better. II
Alice is the right sort, she won't turn
up her nose at a rag-carDet. specially
If it's new and bright. "A rag carpet
can be made to look handsome; and,
anyway, it's better than none"
But where will you find the ma
terial?"
"Oh, I'll be bound to find rags
enough! There's plenty of old clothes
hanging in the garret, and the rag
chest AMI scrap-bag are full; and the
neighbors won't begrudge me what old
scraps they have no use for
Grandma looked doubtful, and Liz
Eie little scornful: but Cousin Ar
menia seemed quite elate over her
idea. And being one of those active
and determined spirits who lose no
time in carrying out plan as soon as
1t is conceived, we were not surprised
to find her, next day, already to work
upon her proposed carpet
First she visited the attic and over
hauled the big rag-chest, and exam
tned all the half-worn and cast-off
clothing hanging about. Then she
went over the whole house and ran
sacked every box and closet for any
thing that could be appropriated to
her work.
The next few days were spent in
washing and freshening up the various
articles, and in ripping and tearing
them into shreds, which were then
rolled into great balls, according to
their color.
All the rag-carpets that | had seen
were woven in a mixed medley Of
colors, without order or arrangement
but Cousin Armenia showed herself