The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-12
Poor Mrs. Smithers and the Thurstons
By L. E. cHITTENDEN

Then they trooped up the steps and rang
the bell.
very eros and somewhat elderly looking
woman opened the door a little and gazed
grimy at the six red-cheeked Thurstons who.
with quaking hearts, smiled affably at her.
| SIS Mrs. Smithers in?" asked Polly po-
,litely. .--..-.a-
'She's in fast enough" returned the wom-
an; 'tn bed with rheumatism and nooraigy
from cleanin' house before. it was warm
enough weather."
WED just as lief go up and see her"
suggested Molly, with desire to be agree
able.
The woman shifted. "It's not company
she's wantin'," she began, when deep voice
from the upper regions was heard:
How do you know what l want, Jane
Thornton? Who is it?''
"They can come and tell you,' replied
Jane in caustc tone, and, standing aside,
she opened the door wider. Six pairs Of feet
| rubbed themselves on the mat and tiptoed
| through the oilcloth-covered hall and up the
| stairs. Following the direction of the voice.
they presently stood fascinated speechless
row at the side Of her bed.
| Mrs Smithers ordinarily was an snncom-
| mon personality, and now, with her face
swathed in bandages, she looked out at the
astonished Thurstons with twinkle OF
amusement in her sharp, deep-set eyes. ..
Dummy Dee was the first to recover his
! tongue.
I'm sorry you're sick, Mrs smthers," hs
| said. Daddy told us to come and see how
| poor you are. / think" he went on, Its be-
| cause he wants you to take a baby to raise.
| Whose mother has died. and she wanted
father to find place for it, said Molly.
| "We'd love to take it, said Dummy, seiz-
| ing his turn but We are poor ourselves, and
| such lot of US and little house."
! 81 SUPPOSE that's what made him think OF
| you, there's so few Of you and SO much house,
| you know said Tom.
| Mrs. Smithers proceeded to unite bandages
| and to lie back on the pillows and laugh. =
| "Do you think I could stand youngster
| cluttering up this house and bothering the
| life out of me?' she asked when she could
speak.
Then Polly, who had been looking around
the great square, notwithstanding room.
comfort anyway she said. Even If they
do cost lot and make a lot OF noise. they
fill up all the empty Places
Mrs. Smithers lone, childless heart bound
ed and her face softened as she looked at the
six sturdy faces so earnestly regarding her
She had teen called and rightly, perhaps.
hard business woman, made SO by many bit
ter experiences. This new feeling now tug
ging through the crust of her nature was not
at all unpleasant.
Mrs Smithers pulled the bell near the bed,
and presently Jane appeared.
Take these Cnl1QTen QCWnStdiTSs Jdhe
said Mrs. Smthers. and there was in her
voice something that made Jane stare OPEN
mouthed at her. land lll them UP on your
famous seed cakes" she went on. I'm going
. to get up and dress. They have cured my
, neuralgia You have the surrey brought
around in half an hour. I'm going to see
about adopting a child
Jane, stricken dumb with astonishment ana
perfectly sure that her mistress had suddenly
gone crazy, managed, however, to carry out
her orders The people in the village were
presently entertained by the spectacle OF a
surrey packed full Of chattering. laughing
0 Thurstons, with Mrs. Snithers towering up IN
X their midst and driving with reckless aban-
= don.
At small house in the far end OF the town
v the Rev Mr.. Thurston was busy making ar
e rangements for the burial OF the child 8
G mother when Mrs. Smithers and the children
a came in.
The child was asleep in Mrs. Davis arms
O Mrs Smithers stopped and took it up gently.
t It sighed. little sobbing sigh, half opened
T. it's eyes and with gurgle of content nestled
Z, down again against her shoulder.
s At that moment Mrs. Smithers was SO nap
DIV that she would not have exchanged places
t with any living being. She put her purse an
& | tho astonished reetor's hands
z IL will pay all the expenses OF the burial,
8 she said, ''and will take the baby
IL 'She wasn't at all too poor, DADDY. YOU
see" said Dummy Dee.