The Tupelo journal., 1903-07-10

Mr.. Adham. Il move we let them do
it. Squire. The old women amt any
too happy, I'll be bound. They always
have some grievance. l reckon they'd
be more contented where they could
see the passing and have a share Of
the gossip that's going"
swell, Wen pay the rent and allow
you ten dollars a week, Miss Benson.
viii that do?"
Yes, it will do admirably, thank
you"
Dorothy proceeded at once to or
ganize her forces. They must GO to
work Systematically.
The very next day the house was
rented and they took possession, the
girls with brooms and cleaning cloths,
the boys with w~hitewash and paint.
They put on new paper, they hung
fresh muslin curtains at the windows,
they put fresh mating or carpets
on the floors. There was no need
to buy furniture for there were attics
full of discarded treasures, and Doro-
thy knew the old ladies would rather
have the old fashioned furniture than
any new that could be bought. One
lady sent in q gold band tea set,
another a dinner set in blue and
white. They had gifts of table linen
and bedding until they were over
supplied.
'"They are not the towns poor,
theyare guests of the town." Dorothy
insisted. "They have done more for
Briarly in the past than Briarly can
ever do for them in return
While the girls were putting the
finishing touches to the house the
boys tidied up the yard and set out
beds of plants.
When all was ready Dorothy sent
each of the old ladies a daintily writ
ten invitation to a tea-drinking at
Sunnyside Cottage.
What a commotion it caused at the
poor farm. They had not been in
vited anywhere since they had come
to this isolated place long months
before. How they talked and
laughed about it and almost cried!
AAo" chSy tllNu " hA SdSl otICL up
sc they should not look too shabby!
'Sunnyside Cottage don't re-
member any such place." said Grand
ma Allen, w%rinkling her forehead as
she tried to think where it might be.
Most likely somebody has named
their place that, lots of folks are
naming their places, these days." re-
piled Mrs. Milliken the latest conner
to the poor farm and so the most
~conversant with the ways of the
world. For my part l don't are
where it is as long as we're invited"
They were hardly ready when
Clarence Stirling came with his big
three-seated wagon to take them to
the village. The girls had cautioned
him over and over not to say any
thing of the surprise in store for
them. So he skillfully parted all
their questions, and kept them in
terested in the scenery and bits of
news connected with the houses they
passed.
The girls were at the gate to meet
them.
Land sakes, I didn't know any
body lived here" exclaimed Mrs.
Milliken. who did you say invited
us, young MANI" but Clarence had
driven on out of hearing.
This is Sunnyside Cottage. viii
you come IMP" asked Estelle.
They were in no hurry, however.
They must stop and admire the
flowers and the sunshine coming
through the trees.
Its the very house where Jason
brought me as a bride, over so years
ago!" exclaimed Mrs. Henderson. 81
lever expected to enter it again"
"Oh, how pretty" exclaimed Mrs.
Marshall as they came into the sit
ting where were half a dozen
easy chairs and a pretty sewing
table. There were books and work
baskets, a canary in a cage, an ivy
climbing up the wall, a shelf of
plants, a music box. This last was
D%orothy's gift.
Already people were passing and
repassing. 1t was time supper was
served.
Mrs. Henderson, as this used to
be your home, suppose you play
hostess" said Ethel, leading her to
the head of the table. MRS. Chal-
mers, will you serve?""
My don't it seem good to get tea
that is tea and not spoiled with mo-
lasses," exclaimed Grandma Allen.
"And the bread is light and sweet"
commented Mrs. Atkins. Il told
Mrs. Hunt I could make better bread
than she gave us, but she never
would let me try"
Il suppose we ought to be going
now, before it gets too dark" said
Grandma Allen, after they had
finished their feast. "Who did you
say got up this tea for us? l shall
think about it for weeks
you are not going back at ALL"
explained Dorothy. to whom the
girls had given the pleasant task Of
divulging their carefully-guarded Sc
cret. ''This is Sunnyside<Cottage 1t
is your home. You are never going
back to the poor farm again"
THANK the Lord!" exclaimed Mrs.
Milliken.
Going to live in the dear old
home!" said Mrs. Henderson with
tears in her eyes.
Come upstairs and see your rooms
now" said Estelle and led the way
upstairs. There were six small
chambers each daintily furnished.
While they were u~nStairs the rest