Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-15
ONE FALL DAY.
Was II Wasted Although Only Filled
With littla IhinQsf

II was a perfect fall day. Aonnie
stood in the hall door looking out.
Il do think October In a lovely, per-
feet month" she thought. 1t ID such
a beautiful day. would Ike TO spend
II In beautiful way. ] might write
some shut In letters this morning, and
I'll do my best to have them as bright
and bracing and inspiring as this spien-
did day IL. This afternoon l will go
up TO the Old Ladies' Home and sing
TO them. I've been selfish about II
latelyg Il has been such beautiful
weather that I've wanted TO be out all
the time"
Monnle had been flying about indus
trlously all the time she had been
thinking, and had her room all put to
rights.
"Tll just run downstairs n minute
and see what mamma Is doing, ana
then I'll be ready 10 write"
Monnle found her mother holding an
open note In her hand, and looking
much perplexed.
What is It, mamma? DO tell me-
quick!"
Mrs. Clarke's baby died last night,
and she has sent to see IL | viii come
10 her at once. OF course | would, out
the grapes must be attended TO this
morning, and Nora knows nothing
about preserving them. / do not see
how | can go until afternoon, any
way"
Monies bright face clouded just
little; her own plan for the morning
was much more to her mind than
spending 1t in the little kitchen with
Nora. But then mamma ought to go to
poor Mrs. Clarke Monnie thought 1t
all out In a twinkling.
You must go this morning she
said TO her mother. You may say that
| know no more about the grape bust
ness than Nora, but just give me the
main points, and II / don't make
success OF the preserves I'll eat them
all myself, as Tom promises OF his
cooking. Seriously, mamma, you must
go; I'll do my best, and | know Nora
will"
So Mrs. Preston went on her errand
of mercy and Monnle. DOMINIC big
apron, made her way to the kitchen.
II seemed TO her that Nora looked
even duller and more uninteresting
than usual.
~ wonder what she thinks about all
the time" unused Monnie, as she went
deftly TO work. Il can't imagine. I'M
less it's about washing dishes and mop
ping floors. she certainly spends the
greater part OF her life at such work.
| don't know that | wonder much az
her looking SO dull. | guess ] should
II / hadn't any more pleasure in life
than she has. | wish | could Interest
her In something this morning"
So while they worked Monnie chat
ted away as brightly and entertaining
IN MS she knew how and Nora's heavy
face really lightened up considerably.
And shure." she said, as she put
away the last Jar, the morning has
been no time at all"
"That depends" thought Monnie,
little YEARLY. as she went upstairs to
freshen up for dinner Half OF my
beautiful day has gone to waste. !
must make the best Of the afternoon.
After dinner. when Monnie was look
ing over her music, selecting what she
would sing, the bell rang and there
was Cora Sprague Cora was in the
same Sunday school class as Monnie'
but their lives were very different for
Cora worked in one Of the mills.
Il lust stopped to see II you could
show me that crochet stitch. We had
half holiday, and | thought II could
learn. perhaps l could crochet shawn
for my mothers Christmas"
70 dear!" thought Monnie, II sne
only could have come some other day!
But then she didn't, and Monnie had
n way OF doing whatever was put
plainly in her way cheerfuily ana
thoroughly; so presently Cora was deep
In the mysteries of crochet. IL Mon
ME could have seen into Cora's
thoughts, she would have been touched
to see how delightedly she was plan
ming some simple little Christmas gifts
for the dear ones at home from the
hints Monnie was giving her.
1T will be the loveliest Christmas !
ever knew" thought Cora, If l can
make something pretty for them ALL
OF course | never could afford to BUY
things like these, but now she mas
shown me how, l can make them quite
cheap"
20 mammal" said Monnie that night.
half smiling through little mist OF
tears, Il wanted to have beauului
day. truly meant to, but these little
things came up, and it's all gone 10
waste-even this evening, for I've been
pIaying games and singing college
songs for Tom and some of his friends.
But why do you call it wasted?
asked Mrs. Preston.
"Oh, there's nothing very beautilui
in preserving, and teaching croche'
stitches, and singing college songs
"Why not. If they were bits OF WORK
the Master wanted done"
20 mamma, they couldn't have
beenl" exclaimed Monnie.
But, Monnie. I think they were
answered Mrs. Preston. Nothing nap
pens to us by chance, And then, now
can we tell whether an act is snaii
or great? The whole current OF me
NAV be changed by some seemingly m
significant act. Cannot you be content
If YOU have tried to do faithfully what
your hand found to do?"
why, yes, mamma, only it does not
seem possible that 1t can really nave
been of any use.'
ut has been no time at all since l
got up" thought Nora. as she put OUT
her light. "for thinking of the stories
Miss Monnie told. I'll be remembering
them to tell to Tim on Sunday: thin ne
can be thinking of 'em all the week
whin the mother is off to work ana ne
alone on the bed, poor boy!"
Il do think Monnie Preston is just
,ba hast Christian know" Cora