Middletown transcript., 1904-12-10
Thyrza Trainers Transformation
By cEf1L COUNTER


Couture ~
Thus it was that Thyrza's transforma-
ton came about, as softly as the twink
| ling stars besprinkle the blue celestial
dome when the sun-glow fades, or as
serenpIy as the deft touch OF Aurora
transfgures the heavens, when Phebus
in his dazzling chariot approaches tile
gates of the morning
The new Thyrza cultivated pity for
human infirmities, and vigorously ab-
stained from the criticisms that flow SO
freely from our lips. She sought for
good motives, and praised well-meant
adts. Far from chattering all day long
her words we're usually few, wei selected,
and spoken in soft voice that proved
SIM gularly musical.
She sought time for reading elevating
books, yet not at the expense of nom
i4tance to her mother, whom she re-
lievdd at every possible point OF service.
How promptly she discharged the house
hold duties, how soon the 'redding-up,"
as Madge termed it, was performed. How
speedily the dishes were washed and
placed in the tidy cupboard, and the
house set to rights. Sweetly sociable
as Thy Fza was, she did not permit herself
to hob mob with her neighbors until
her tas KS were complete.
And as to body culture, the very exer-
cises in which she was engaged promoted
that. Besides, the virtues Of daily
wash from top to toe in water of an agree
able temperature, although the house
was innocent of bathroom, the steady
persistent brushing of the recalcitrant
hair, the proper care of the hands and
nails in the performance Of unpleasant
culinary work, or house-cleaning, the
brushing Of pearly teeth with soap and
water, the cultivation Of pure breath
by the use Of proper food and the con-
slant ventilation, night and day, Of the
living and sleeping apartments, wrought
wonders in Thyrza's appearance.
And she contrived to be ever dainty
in respect OF apparel. Never was she
caught in slatternly array at washing
or house-cleaning. No gaping wound
in her dress, no missing button from her
shoe, offended the casual glance Of a
visitor and although she wisely wore
old boots at certain soiling tasks, they
were never tattered, but invariably neatly
patched.
1t is surprising that Thyrza's "ugli-
ness vanished by degrees? It faded
slowly, at first imperceptibly, but steadily,
while new expression suppIanted it.
By and bye the girls began to remark
to each other, "How nice Thyrza looks
nowadaysp' Rose and Reba, Madge and
Martha observed change without being
able to account for it. Strongest of all,
they assigned her higher rank than
they themselves occupied, and actually
consulted her in important matters.
They were beginning to settle little i'll
love affairs, for Doctor Dundore, though
always deferential, showed no special
appreciation OF the bellies Of the village,
but pursued the even tenor Of his pro-
kfessional way. Thyrza occasionally met
him, and admired his good sense and
intelligence, and rather wondered that
he did not take to Reba, who appeared
so well suited to him in manner and
requirements.
Mrs. Trainer was the first to discover
Thyrza's transformation, and her mater
nal eyes were often moist as she viewed
the comeliness of her character-yes, and
OF her person, too. Well did she know
Of some redeeming features of Thyrza's
personal appearance, but she kept them
to herself. However, it was undeniable
that Thyrza was taking on real, if quiet,
beauty these days. Her hair had be-
come an adornment her eyes, always
fine, had improved with the betterment
Of her nature, and her insistent tidiEess
was perpetually commendatory. Act
ually, Thyrza was coming to possess in
no small degree the very charm that the
magazine scrap indicated.
The summer days had given place to
the advanced fall. Far away the notched
hills Of the Blue range were tinted, az
always, with their delicate shade, but
the nearer wall OF the South Mountain
was purple, for the leaves SO recently
glorious in red and gold had all fallen
to the rocky slope beneath the trees.
Robesonia was scarcely as winsome in
her early winter dream as in the fullness
Of spring, or the maturity Of summer,
but the village was still very attractive.
The big furnaces perpetually engaged in
smelling iron ore, pulled away in the |
rear Of the little town, and matters went |
on as usual.
There came day when Boreas blew a |
heavy blast for the season, and pellicle |
of ice covered the few brick pavements. |
Thyrza was outdoors, sweeping, that |
morning, and slipping, fell hard upon
the pavement. Her foot doubled under
her, and to her dismay she found herself |
unable to rise, while her ankle throbbed
with pain. Before she could struggle
to the door or give the alarm, footstep
sounded on the pavement, and Doctor
Dundore hurried to her assistance. A
few words from her satisfied him as to
the state of affairs, and with a simple
"Allow men' he lifted her form with
great gentleness, and bore it into the
open house. Mrs. Trainer was quite
overcome with the misfortune, but set
about such ministries as the physician
recommended. The doctor eyinced the
GOODNESS Of veteran, although both
Thyrza and her mother thought that
he was more concerned to avoid giving
pain in the handing than old Doctor
Boone would have BEEN
TIL, RIA was deposited upon tile old
fashioned settee in the sitting-room, with
a comfortable bed beneath her, and Doe
tor Dundore removed the shoe and STOCK.