The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-11-11

II wouldn't for four times that muc
feel so worn out as l do tonight,
sighed Mrs. Wilton TO herself, as sb
thanked him, and slowed the pittanc
away for future use.
The weeks wore on toward winter
and Mrs. Wilton sighed heavily as sh'
thought OF the garments. large ant
small, to be bought and made. First
John must be fitted up; then the fou
little ones. and lastly, herself. Her owl
share would be slim, she thought, bu
then she had not much outdoor wOrl
TO do, and she could get along will
less. But, oh. she did long so much
for new merino dress, with bright
warm tlnts, or n pair OF gloves, or q
| collar and bit OF ribbon for her neck
But these were not to be thought Of
| Nothing but bare necessities could be
hers. for John had been buying stock
and had paid for his moving machine
and met note or two, and he felt
quite poor" he said.
Poor woman! She had not had n
nice dress since her marriage. Then
she had good supply-but things will
wear out, and most OF these were now
doing duty as children's clothes, or
skirts for herself, and her best dress
was now cheap delaine. She sighed
Just q little, half smothered sigh, as
she tho A;ht Of all this on the day she
went to lay out her money. It did
not take her long 10 dispose Of the
small amount for she had laid awake
nights pondering how TO make one dol
lar do the duty Of two, and the prob.
lem was worked out with the utmost
precision.
Now that the goods were purchased
the next trouble was how to get them
made soon enough She had been
obliged to put Off purchasing for want
of means. and now she could not tell
which was most needed
"If only could get some one TO
help me for week. could soon see
my way clear" said Mrs. Wilton to
her husband. one evening. as she sat
stitching on her little garments; cor.
better still. had sewing machine"
she ventured to say.
Mr.. Wilton knocked the ashes Off
his cigar and said
'I don't see how 1t is, Susan, that
you're always complaining OF having
so much to do, and wanting help all
the time. Why, there's mother; she
never used to think OF hiring any work
done. She used to make everything
for eight Of us and weave all the cloth
besides" Mrs. Wilton did not answer
her heart was too full. Nowadays
the wlmmen want so much help to get
rid OF work." continued Mr.. Wilton.
"Pd like TO get sewin' machine, but
It's out OF the question now, there's
so much TO be got"
Mrs. Wilton thought OF the mower
and the corn planter. but said nothing;
she felt little pang shoot through her
heart. then it sank back again as
heavy load. She did not go to bed
that night until long after her hus-
band was sleeping soundly. She had
worked hard all day, and sleep would
be welcome guest, but the little gar
ment was much needed, and she must
sit up and make it, Oh, how her tired
eyes ached, but not worse than the
poor, hungry heart ached for sym
pathy and comfort. She thought of
her money loving husband, and
wished he might become more thought
ful for her comfort.
"If il were not for my children"
she cried TO herself, IL could see very
little to live for" Then the thought
of her little ones, motherless, sent the
fresh tears to her eyes, but gave II
sudden impulse to her tired fingers,
and she stitched away for another
hour and saw the garment completed,
and neatly folding IL away. she sought
her much needed rest. Sabbath morn
ing Mr. Wilton put on warm new
undcrshirt, and saw his little ones
looking fresh and sweet in their new
garments, but he saw not the fingers
which had SO patiently wrought out
these changes were that morning
scarcely strong enough TO fasten the
garments of the little ones about their
chubby little forms.
Spring came. bright and Joyous rs
ever dotting the praries with flow
crs and filling upland and valley With
floods of melody. Mrs. Wilton had
been growing thinner and paler all
winter. and was now scarcely able TO
be about the house. The doctor had
recommended rest. But how could she
with so much lying undone about her.
"lf | could only go away for awhile" "
II wish you could, I'm sure" replied
her husband. But, Susan, l don't see
how | can afford IL, might sell some
of my stock. but prices are low now,
it wouldn't pay ut all. couldn't get
much more for them calves than |
gave for 'em last fall. after keeping
'em all winter. And buying my corn
planter about took all my cash"
Mrs. Wilton did not reply. Indeed,
doubt very much If she heard his
| remarks at all. for she was dreaming
OF the old homestead, with its wide
gables and large comfortable rooms
Of the stately naples. that she knew
were now putting forth their young
| blossoms from their candclabrn
shaped limbs-of the sloping meadow
with its violet covered hillsides-of the
robins nest in the cherry tree; and
| above ALL of the sweet old face that
loomed up through all. and with out
| ra.chnI xnarnol ~ hra "a