Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-11-12
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PROFIT FROM LOSS.
Eome Where Drink Had Cast It's
Shadow Made Brighter by
Daughters Devotion.


On the big tin boiler and the swish of
clothes in the rinsing water. were the
only sounds which could be heard in
Mrs. Tryon's small, steamy kitchen that
breezy afternoon in April, 80 years ago.
Presently the little clock Oh the shelf
over the stove struck four. Mrs. Tryon
sighed as she glanced first at the clock
and then at the large pile of clothes yet
60 rinse and hang on the line before
supper. Wearily she pressed her hand
on her throbbing head and then on her
aching back. As the tired woman lifted
abe heavy coal bod to replenish the Gre,
abe wondered how long she could endure
this ceaseless toll to support her drunk
IN. shiftless husband and her ak small
children"
III | had word OF encouragement
hrom one days end to another" she
Thought, 'it would help amazingly. But
Tom doesn't care bow hard work. and
The children don't realize It. Sometimes
u seems as though it would be the easiest
thing in the world to Just give up trying
and lie down and die But for the chill
oren's sake, must keep on. All. we'll,
III hang to the work till drop. That's
the best l can do. God knows how II
viii end. Somehow. God seems far of
these days. It's my own fault. know.
I'm too tired to think much about any
Ching but work and worries"
With great effort Mrs. Tryon lifted
tne heavy basket OF clothes. and. stag
sering out of the door, dropped 1t on the
grass under the clothesline. AS the last
garment was pinned on the line. the
outer door was opened, and shrill girl
Ssh voice cried:
Mother! Mother! Oh. here you are,
rm most starved School makes me so
hungry! Can have a piece of johnny
eake"
You can have Just one piece" an
swered the tired woman. That's all the
bread have baked. That corucake and
khe bean-porridge warmed over are ALL
-" hare ror supper. But l want Won IN
30 10 the apotheca ries on an GRAND and
tnan get supper ready: so hurry. Ids. !
sna"t more than get this wash out by
supper time.
oh. dear! Why don't you leave the old
Washing till tomorrow. mother7" COM
plaiuingly asked the child.
Leave IL till Tomorrow Won foolish
Sirl.' exclaimed Mrs. Tryon. "Tbere.s
Just as much 10 10 to-morrow--and h.
sides, Mrs. Burns is going awav and sh.
Fants her clothes early. Now get nv
vocKetoook out Of the pocket of my black
eress and III he there In 8 minute IN
eell you my erranCs"
Here is the pocSetbook. mother AN
Aounced Ida after a few moments of
searching. IL eucss there isn't much IN
IL II feels empty"
There are just two 5o-cent .cr,ns
tnere. That is all the money have In
Inc world and il must last until get
my pay for this VIZ shing. so YOU must he
areadful careful of this 5O-cent scr,n "
cautioned Mrs. Tryon. You had bettor
put II into my pocketbook and hold nm
% II tight until you get to the store"
IL see TO the n, oney all right. N other
son you fret about that: but what do
you want me to get at the store?"
want you to get a porous plaster
'tnat VIII be % cents. and then get me o5
cents worth of gum camphor There
won't be any chan sc to worry about COM
ing home: but be careful of the thinqe
You get my child" again reminded the
anxious mother
curse II DE careful OF every
ming. confidently promised Ida; but
aont want to carry that shabby old
0ocketbook. I'll take the scrip all folded
ND 20. In my hand. and keep my hand In
my pocket all the way. I will hold on
ught. you see if don't know won't
hose tt"
wouldn't be so proud, Ida" censured
mrs Tryon. What if the pocketbook IS
old and worn? hig girl II veare
Sid. oughtnt to he so foolish. I'd feel
safer II you took the pocketbook: but |
can waste time talking about IL. Take
sne money as Won like. If you lose If"
but Ida was gone before her mothers
permission was uttered and the wind |
banged the door after her.
Mrs Tryon sief ed as she heard bar
slaughter hopping md skipping down the
plank walk to tho street and che Wv
6ered how many hundred ve.r ~
gone by since she herself had felt ljve,v
enough to hop and skip.
am glad poverty and drunkard's
nome haven't taken all the pleasure ana |
energy out Of the chiIdren's lives II thew
nave out of mine" she murmured "I
aont begrudge al my hard work for
Snem II only my strength will hold ont
but sometimes fear"
Her loving words and thoughts wer.
gut short by the violent opening NJ tba
soor and lda's white face appearing he
fore her.
On. mother! I've lost the monevi Nv.
yost II. I've lost It! What shall 40,
whip me II you wantto deserve n
reserve dozen whippines oh. dear,
why didn't do as you told met"
the remorseful Girl covered her face
with her hands and sobbed wildly.
The tired mother dazed for a momen,
~ the loss OF half her little store 80
money. sank into q chair rarvo,s,r.
wiping her d~,--iro- hapds ,,;.t