The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-09-30

give me a PIN" said a
~ brlght-looking but shabbily
n dressed little fellow, open
M "a ing the door of Mrs Lanes
kitchen.
Just see here" he added, pointing
10 large rent on the knee of his trou-
sers, me and wiz Brown were playing
tag, and fell down and tore this"
why don't you run home and get
your mother to mend it, johnny" she
said, and she did her best to bring to-
gether the several parts.
"Oh, cause mother amt to home.
She is gone to the society for clothing
destitute children"
Destitute children!" said Mrs. Lane,
as she surveyed her nephew from head
TO foot, IF You don't come under that
class, then never child did. Why, my
Gear, you are i'll rags and tatters.''
Il know it, aunt" responded the boy.
moodily, but it amt my fault Mother
says she has no time to mend clothes
and if she did, they would be just as
bMl the next day, so what's the use?
Father said last night that | looked
like little heather, and he almost
wished | was, for mother would think
/ was worth looking after little
Have you had your supper, johnny?
You look hungry"
NO" said the boy, casting longing
look at generous piece OF pumpkin
pie his aunt was cutting; mother left
some cold victuals on the table for
father and me, but
Well" interrupted the good woman,
placing the pie upon a plate and adding
to it couple Of doughnuts that she
was frying and piece Of cheese,
you just take this and mind you don't
leave a bit OF it,"
John lost 10 time in obeying his
aunt's peremptory but by no means I'M
pleasant injunction, and the contents
of the plate rapidly disappeared before
the energetic onslaught.
II declare" exclaimed Mrs. Lane. as,
taking up the rolling pin she resumed
her labOrs, ''if it isn't a shame for
Nancy to neglect him; / am certainly
active member of half Il dozen socie-
ties. As for brother John, he's clean
discouraged. and ! don't wonder at it,
! don't believe that he comes to a
warm supper once Il week. It's my
belief that it is Il woman's business
first to look after the comforts Of her
own family, then il she had time to 40
for others, we'll and good. Charity
ought to begin at home. if it don't stay
there"
There's Aunt Nancy now Just com
ing in the GATE said her daughter.
Betsy, as. looking up from the apples
she Whispering. she CHANGED TO glance
eut of the window.
Indignant as she was, it was not in
good-raturcd Mrs. Lanes heart to re-
fuse a kindly greeting to her sisteg-in-
law, who was evidently too full Of
her concerns to have noticed any lacl;
of cordiality, had there been any.
How do YOU do, Sister Laue? How
do YOU do Betsey," she said, seating
herself in the first chair she came to.
as if quite exhausted. though her keen,
bright eyes looked as bright and sharp
as ever. Always cooking. / do de-
clare. All. spending so much time for
the poor, perishing body"
Folks can't live without eating" re-
sponded Mrs. Lane, a little tartly. rs
this remark called To mind what she
considered her sisters remissness in
the care of her family. "Leastways.
] haven't found out the other way of
living
You always did make nice dough-
nuts, AIalinda," said Mrs. Shaw. COM
posedly. helping herself to one. "These
are rs light as honeycomb." she added.
as she proceeded to dispose of it with
evident satisfaction. II don't know
when | have made any kind of pastry.
Professor Spare, who lectured here
last winter, said that they We're very
unhealthy, entirely destroying the d-
gesiive apparatus
Yes. | know" responded Mrs. Lane.
drily. "husband invited him home to
tea one day, and I could perceive he
had no particular objections 10 my pies
and cakes. Indeed ! remember think
ing that if that was his ordinary way
of eating, | should not like to be the
one 10 cook for him. And, let folks
say what they. may. / never will be-
Eeye that plain. light pastry, eaten