The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-08-14

stood drawing off her gloves, her fur
boa slipped from her throat, showing
the pretty lace collar she was wearing.
Her mother exclaimed at once,
"What lovely collar, Maud"
Mrs Weeks laughed in delight.
Mother Darling" she cried, "Ill
make you one just like it for Is cents,
but you must furnish all the ma
terials.''
Mrs Darling caught hold of her
daughter and playfully shook her.
$50 even you have the dollar fever. 1t
has struck town worse than cyclone"
she declared. Bobby Slater wants me
to buy lead pencils so he can earn a
dollar; Chauncey Lane wants to shovel
my paths of snow for the same reason.
1t is cakes from Elsie and biscuit from
Mrs Beach, and Mrs Lenney has
beautiful rye bread to sell, if any one
wants. and now this other girl of mine
asks me to furnish materials and pay
her for making collar for her own
dear mother. l think some one might
give me dollar for being so ben evo-
lent, don't you?"
Mrs Weeks smiled happily. "I'n
| help you in any way [ can, mother"
she said, "if you will only help me-"
Mrs Weeks carried home materials
| for the collar, and dropped five cents
into the box with a sigh of satisfaction.
mo expenses to come out of the next
cash deal. know just what make. :"
The collar was finished in due time
and she soon had quarter to put into
her box. "What lot of money!" she
exclaimed as she shook her little bank.
81 have made more than a beginning
nOw.'
"A few days afterwards she was in
tho hay window of her sitting room,
giving her usual morning care to her
flowers. She found beautiful tea
rose just opening, and another bush
near it held lovely bud. Like an in
SEPARATIONS came the thought "roses are
scarce, will sell these two" She
flowers with long stems, and wrapping
them in tissue paper, put on jacket
and started for the florists. Mrs
Cady'S home was on her way, and as
she passed that lady came to the door.
Where are you going?" she called.
"Peddling," replied Mrs Weeks, as
she ran up the steps, and playfully
shook her package in Mrs Cady's face.
Come in, and let me see," said Mrs
Cady, as she drew her inside the door.
When she saw the flowers, "How per-
fectly lOvely!" she exclaimed, "Just
what want for the reception to.
night" Still trying to be silly are you?
III take the flowers. But, she contin-
ued coldly 81 do not at all approve of
what you are doing"
Mrs Weeks walked slowly home with
her l5c. II hope Jessie is not vexed
because did not give her the flowers, u
She thought, "aS have always done
before. I'll have to make it up with
her in some other way"
The addition of 15c to the hoard in
the box somewhat soothed her ruff1ed
feelings. The days went by and she
was unable to add more to her box
than occasional five cents: saved from
her car fare until the sum amounted
to 99c.
"The time will soon be up, and !
won't have my dollar" she said, as she
counted her money. Chow can earn
that thirty-four cents, or I'll call it
Ghirty-fve? l might lose a penny. !
know James would think of some way,
but do SO hope to be independent OF
him, and plan and earn it all myself
Two days after dear friend came tc
spend the day with her. Months had
passed sir &c they had met, and Mrs
"YOu must take me all over your house,
and show HE the pretty things you
have made and bought since | last
spent the day with you"
Mrs Weeks took her arm saying: 81
will gladly show you around" and as
they walked through the rooms on
their tour of inspection, she said
"Come into the parlor, Emily, l have
something to show you there l am
sure you will like They passed be-
| fore a small table on whose polished
surface was centerpiece of Hon.
iton lace.
"What an exquisite design" ex.
claimed Mrs Manning. GLOW I wish
I could do such work! Did you make
it, Maud? Is there any one whom
would gladly furnish all the materials,
willingly give a dollar and half, OF
two dollars, for the work alone"
Mrs Weeks eyes fairly danced, as
she said: emily, will make one for
thirtyfve cents.''
Mrs Manning looked at her in a be-
wildered way. "Why Maud, what dc
you mean? Is it necessary? Is
james,"
"It has nothing to do with James, -
responded Mrs Weeks, II am simply
trying to be independent, and earn
some money without his help"
She then related her experiences OF
the last month or more. Mrs Manning
was much amused at the recital, and
said: II shall give you a dollar and
thirtY-five cents for your work, and
furnish the materials But Mrs
Weeks refused to agree upon more than
thirty-tive cents for remuneration.
Mrs Manning urged her to, but to nc