The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05
The
story
Molly's Soap Money.

l UsST outside the pretty little hamlet
Of Carlton, among the hills, nestled
a cozy red house. Here the Widow War
ner lived with her two children. Since
the death Of her husband she had kept
her little family together by boarding the
section hands.
Molly, the eldest, a bright girl Of 10,
was her mothers right hand. for, be-
sides attending school, she was up be-
Zines in the morning assisting with the
general housework.
I shall not describe Molly, because she
was just very ordinary girl, so far as
appearances went, but she answered TO the
good old adage, Handsome Is that hand
some does"
Now, lest my readers imagine that my
heroine returned valuable purse to it's
owner, fought bears or lions, saved trains
OF drowning people or performed any
such heroic deed, / am compelled to say
that Mollys actions were in accordance
with her looks-and she was a very ordi-
nary human being.
On a bright afternoon in spring, Mrs.
Warner was putting a new facing on her
Wel1-worn but best dress. Molly glanced
up from her book when her mother
Aeaved particularly deep sigh. and OBJ
aerved, How I do wish could get
new black lawn dress for Easter. 1t
comes 30 late this year, it would do nicely
and keep me looking respectable all sum
mer. It does seem. though, as if l can't
afford even that little bit, everything is
10 high and the men would think it dread
ful If raised their board: yet, now that
provisions are SO dear, they all seem to
eat more ravenously than ever
Eyes, mama, it is dreadful to be poor,
but wait till get to teaching, then we
won't be-" said Molly, encouragingly
Eyes, then twill be lovely; but, by the
way, Molly, it's time to start the fire, and
want you to go to the store and get
sack Of graham flour. Bobby could, only
I don't know where he isl returned Mrs.
Warner. g
"All right said Molly, taking the
money and catching up her hat.
Arriving at the store she found Mr..
Virgins, the proprietor. busly engaged in
IN animated discussion with farmers
wife over the price of butter and eggs.
''Oh, Mr.. Virgins, have you got any
more of that I've I got here last spring.
asked Mrs. Bennett
''Yes, lots of it," said Mr. Virgins.
II never had anything Ishked so well,'
returned that lady. Beats running off
your own lye all hollow. and lessons the
trouble of soap making by half. You
can't think what nice white soap it makes,
TOO. Let's see, how many pounds Of soap
does one Of those cans make?"
"Au the directions on the can, ma'arn.
We sell 'em three for quarter, now"
said the bland Mr.. Virgins. $3.50.
Land sakes, it's cheap enough. Give
me 50 cents worth"
Meanwhile, Molly, unconsciously listen
ing, had been seized with bright idea,
and on Mr.. Virgins inquiring, in his
genial manner, Anything you want Mol
h?' she was so absorbed in thought she
answered:
mo. Oh, yes. sack of graham, please"
While returning the change to her
mother, she said, gazing at quarter,
''Mama can have that? I'll pay it back,
for you know it will soon be time to sell
The soap grease
To this her mother agreed, wisely for
hearing to question her, thinking Molly
had some bright plan in her sagacious
little head For several years Molly had
been the regular customer of q tin ped
der, who came every spring to get soap
grease, which she saved during the year.
This year, however, Molly intended to de-
vote this grease to vastly different pur-
pose. She would use it in making soap
and with her mothers quarter buy the
1ye.
The next day being Saturday, and the
work having hustled through as If BY
magic, Mrs. Warner was persuaded with
cut much resistance, to go visiting in tn
afternoon. She decided Molly's 'plan'
vas working, having observed various
Rinks and mods between Molly and Dan
one Of the boarders home with lam
foot, who had been constructing mys
FERROUS looking box at intervals during th
morning.
No sooner had she departed than opera
Hons commenced. With Dams assistanc
IN old iron kettle was brought in iron
khe barn, and by following directions Q
Grandma Porter, an old-tme famous soal
maker of the village, in addition to tn
Decipe on the lye can, soap was evolve,
n q short time.
After having been poured in the DO:
q Dams manufacture, hardened an
cooled, It was cut into squares an
wrapped neatly In paper, on which Moll
carefully printed. "Aollies Soap"
When her mother returned she foun
Molly with very flushed cheeks. after he
afternoons exehons, but was oblivious
Boobies broad hints and Mol1y's furtiv
krowns thereAt. Monday afternoon va
spent In 6sposing Of the soap, which va
easily done, as all the neighbors wer
willing to buy, and at nightfall Molly re
GaYned with $40, which che triumphant
b deposited in Mrs. Warmers lap, cry
ing:
That's to buy you new lawn dres
Dor Easter, mama.
Easter morning dawned warm an
bright. All the Inhabitants of Garlic
attended church on this day, though
an sorry to say they we're not in yer