The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-30
MRS. MIDWINTER.

/. MRS. MIDWINTER.
charlotte will never forgive
lNfidwinter. though she continues
lust as an object of charity
ooi-apple-cheeked and scru-
X clean, arrayed in a Paisley
a black drawn silk bonnet with
. can border. and black skirts
~ of cores. She was. until quite
a constant worshiper at Aunt
Kites chapel, and she regularly
Gratefully received from her
edweiGht of coal a week all
an last winter.
4 NIidwinter's appearance, and her
Ind of the English language,
n great impression on me when
Allied once during Aunt ParamOr's
nee from home, to render thanks
~. for her weekly hundredWeight of
Instead OF to Aunt Charlotte in
Her attitude struck me as be-
aumble. but not too humble-a hui
~ tempered by self-respect, while
5rtafn frankness of utterance COM
Nd my admiration.
h. long have you been a widow? %
hired in the course of our CONVEX
'Fna'am.' she said. signing and
her head, "a widow l never
snd I misdoubt me if a widow /
mall be in this life; though L con-
there are times when l could find
II my heart to wish that such was
- case. for widows. as such, have
ANY advantages which YOU, being a
adv. would hardly credit" She sighed
gain
"Do you mean that you have a hus-
and stil living?" l inquired.
81 have no wish to disguise the fact
even if it were expedient to do so"
AreDlied.
Mere is he. then2' 1 asked.
a<he union. ma'am. where l hope
hd pray he may long remain"
allow is that?"
lf YOU viii excuse my saying so,
pm. it IS the result of intemperance
intemperance successfully prac-
tear Elistened in Mrs. NIidwinter' 8
and the subject was evidently such
nful one to her that 1 FASTENED to
e 1t by an inquiry concerning her
fes." she said. simply. Il go to the
Slogans now, for / found the church
pie did very little for me-Very little
7Sueed-and your Aunt Paramor has
ally been mother to me ever since
Qt to her chapel; and as a means of
&C ii is equal. If not superior, to the
eh in my poor opinion. if you will
4se my saying so. And If you would
p kind as to mention to your Aunt
AmQr, when next you see her that,
weather being so warm, a parcel of
eeries would be more acceptable to
now than a hundred of cOal-fOr
oceries, find. runs away with mint
money. And if she had such a thing
an old black silk skirt, pats of il
tould come to make me a bonnet beau
ful. and what didn't come in for a
2nnet would come in to make me d
eticule. such as 1 always carry with
1e, and very useful 1 find it for many
4 little behest." She displayed a large
Rck retcule. somewhat aged anc
ny, as she spoke. and l was moved
p give her new piece of silk to make
erself another knowing well that Aunt
harl0tte. charitable as she is. car
'1ever bring herself to give away hei
.east-off clothing.
THE coal" ] said doubtfully. was
Just 10 help you through the winter.
1ont know at all whether-''
stopped short. because Mrs. Midwintel
Booked so surprised and panied.
must beg Of you to put in word
me when next you see your Aunt
amor she sa.1, rising to make ar
Fashioned bob-cOurtesy--. She had
drained her cup of tea to the dregs
Waste not. want not is very IA
s1te little maxim of mine" she re-
sarked. as she slipped a piece of cake
aich remained on the plate into heI
Guile. Yet. though I have practiced
maxim without intermission fol
Y upon three-score years and ten
AT / must say. / have known. anC
pubic. as the sparks fly upward fol
Almighty. in His wisdom has or
Cd il so that us poor women should
q "A nfrr- hrT a r1dc 81 70 I ff1rIGf
oppose. be thankful that my old mar
afe out of the way of temptation iT
h0use and my poor little home de
red from the ravages of inteinper
= you never see him2'' I asked.
From time TO time, on visiting days
Ake him a bit of tobaccO-the hes
llrk's Head ct sixpence the quarter
and"
was moved to give her sixpence 70
quarter of a POUND of Turks HeaC
3r the old man. and Mrs. Midwinte
Deceived it very gfaciously.
1T will be blessed 10 the recipien
Us we'll as to the receiver" she said
lcourtesying again as she slipped tn
coin into the palm of her clean cotton
glove.
! Doesn't he come out for the da!
Rometimes?" asked.
: You see, ma am. his years are begin
fning to tell upon him; nigh upon elgnt,
ears and few of them well spent,
rs Midwinter replied evasively.
She departed. and a week or two later
Den I preached the matter of the Goa
q Aunt Charlotte Paramor, l foun
THAT Mrs. Midwinter had been before
hand with me. She took tea in tn
servants room regularly once a weel
when she called to thank for the Goa
I'd she had taken an early opportunit
y suggesting that groceries would b
more acceptable to her during the sum
mer months.
Aunt Charlotte was in a thorough
charitable frame of mind. II will tax
lou with me to see Mrs Midwinter,
e said, in tone which admitted of n
Asal 1T will be a treat to you to Sc
r in her own home. The poor old sol
IN her one spotless room may well prov
a lesson to us all in her uncom plainin
poverty. 7 have ordered the carriage
We VIII pay her a visit and relieve he
mind about her groceries,.
pleasant odor assailed our nostril
i as soon as the door was opened. Aun
Charlotte stood still and sniffed-onc'
twice, three times. Her ample form OF