The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-08-12

ter that think I should like 10 join,
she returned. after a moments though
-"the one for providing for and cloth
ing destitute aud neglected children"
Mrs. Shaw's countenance Frightened
I'VE shall be delighted" she ex
claimed. THE lnltiatory fee Is onl,
two dollars, together with the weekly
payment. eight cents"
"I believe I paid the lnitiatory fee
about one year ago, when It was frs
organized. | did II cheerfully, though
what I then considered to be duties
nearer home prevented my doing more
I will pay IL over again, however, Only
I must have the privilege OF bringing
In destitute child with me. often
see little boy roaming about the
streets whose forlorn and neglected
appearance fills my heart with pity"
Certainly, that is what we expect
and want every member TO do, as she
has an opportunity. We have mum
ber OF little trousers and jackets on
hand, and there will be some among
them that will ft him. Our next meet.
ing is Just a week from today, nj
Squire Mayo's."
There was a merry twinkle In Mrs.
Lanes eyes that night, az she superin'
tended preparations for supper, which
ever and anon deepened into smile
But though the children were anxious
to know what mother was smiling
about, she kept her own counsel
The next Wednesday afternoon n
score or more OF ladies were seated in
Squire Mayo's parlor. with busy fin
gers and still more busy tongues.
'There is Mrs. Lane coming up the
Walk exclaimed Mrs. Mayo. who
was seated at the window. "Just sec
what wretchcd.l looking boy she is
leading by the hand II can't be one
OF her boys, for know they are mod
els OF order and nedtness."
Mrs. Shaw was too busy distributing
work to even glance out Of the window.
II forgot to tell you, ladies'" she said,
that my slster.in-law joins our society
this afternoon. The boy with her is no
doubt the one she spoke to me about
the other day as fit subject for our
charity. ] take considerable credit TO
myself" she said complacently, "for
persuading her to the step. Sister
Lane Is such n home body-sO wrapped
up in herself and family"
by this time Mrs. Lane was In the
room.
Good afternoon, ladies'" said she,
glanclng around with pleasant smile.
"You see, Sister shaw, that / have kept
my word and did not come alone" she
added, as that individual fixed her eyes
I'm undisguised nstonishmcnt upon the
boy, whose reluctant hand she held.
81 found this poor lad" she con-
tinucd, Gin an allcy-way, playing mar
bles with number OF vicious boys,
who were uttering words that | shud.
der TO think OF. The black eye he got
In fighting with one Of them, in which
it appears that he got the worst OF H.,
lie is very dirty and ragged, M you
see. But / offer no apology for bring
ing him To- you in this condition, M
your society was formed for the ben
eft of such, and / trust that under
your kindly care he will soon present
another appearance"
Twice did Mrs. Shaw essay to inter-
rupt the speaker, but anger and shame
checked her uttcrance. When Mrs.
Lane concluded she sprang to her
feet.
"Malinda Jane" she exclaimed, "do
you pretend that you don't know that
that Is my boy?"
"Your boyY exclaimed Mrs. Lane.
starting with welldissembled amaze
ment; "is Il possible! Now that | look
at him closer IL does look like Johnny.
But who would have thought it? L
leave It to you," she said, addressing
the other ladies, ''if the mistake was
not a natural one, or If ever n child
stood more in need of your friendly
Offices"
This assertion could not be deIfc I
by Mrs. Shaw, who was completely
silenced. though she was looking un.
uttcrable things.
This sharp, but much-needcd lesson
had most happy result, and was evil
dent not only in Johhny's improved APP
pearance. but by the increased comfort
OF the whole family. Mrs. Shaw
learned what, Il is to be feared, too
many women forget, that no object.
however praiscworthy, can excuse the
neglect OF home duties; that, as there
lies the truest happiness, so there are
found the dearest objects OF her care.
who have the first claim upon her
time and affcctions.-Waverley Mnga-
yip