Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1905-01-13

sewing which came their way Mary
Ann was silent and detected, and Phoe
be earnestly thoughtful.
One day Phoebe returned after long
absence, and, drawing off her gloves,
she said, with cheerful smile:
"Well, It's all right. Mr.. Bowen says
| can have the room, and / will begin
the first day school opens"
Begin what, phoebef That room?
What are you talkin' alb, at"
"Oh, | didn't tell you for fear you
would try to discourage me, but | have
been turning over the plan for some
time, and Of course you will help"
Help what, Phoebe? Do tell me-"
"Oh, yes It's this: Up at the school,
you know, the children all take their
lunch. 1t is a cold lunch. Of course.
and | asked Mr.. Bowen to speak to the
school board about renting me the
room in the basement next to the
lunch room. and l am going to serve
hot soup and matted milk and cocoa at
3 cents mug. will take what money
| can get together by that time and
buy gas stove and the mugs and
some cans of soup. We can have diff
ferent kind every day. And what do
you think? Mr.. Bowen has got them
to let me have the room free Of rent
He says it will be benefit to the chill
dren to have something warm with
their lunch. Isn't he good? Oh. the
world is 80 full Of good people!'
Mary Ann looked Mt her sister.
well, Phoebe, the things you do think
Of. I'm sure l hope it will be sue
cess" she said weakly.
"A success! OF course 1t will" with
vigor. "How can 1t help it? A can Of
soup costs 10 cents, and less If you buy
1t wholesale, and it will make at least
eight mugs Of good soup at cents
apiece, and l can make nice little
mug Of cocoa that will net me profit
at 2 cents. Oh, have reckoned 1t all
up, every cent. OF course it will be a
success, and, Mary Ann. you're in It."
Mary Ann smiled. "Ill do all can"
she said. Certainly I'll help"
When school opened the Misses Smith
were there making preparations, and
when the children poured down into
the big room for lunch the doors were
opened into the little room next 1t, and
there stooes Miss Phoebe, wearing a
white apron and smiling face. behind
Il big table, with large soup tureen
!, in the middle, surrounded with blue
| mugs aid ladle In her hand, while
Mary Ann, with hot water kettle and
cocoa and milk, did the honors at an
other An appetizing odor arose from
the soup tureen. The mugs steamed
enticingly and were elnptied rapidly.
Mr.. Bowen, who from the first had
taken a great interest in this business
venture of the Misses Smith, came one
day to ask how they were getting
along.
Miss Smith," he said to Phoebe,
thinking how beautiful her complexion
was, II hear that Barlow wants to sell
your house again. Mrs. Barlow's
health is not very good here. And
was thinking" refectively. that
would buy it just as speculation"
He was looking at Miss Phoebe's
plump hand and admiring the dimples
In the knuckles. "And If you will live
in it, just to take care Of it. you know
until 1t is sold to advantage 1t will b<
comforting a favor on me-"
Phoebe fairly gasped from surprise
To live in the old house again! Tt
plant the nasturtiums by the fence al
:, I'd and to watch the cucumbers
rrow in the sunny place in front of thu
wood shed. 1t was almost too goo(
to be true.
But we can't live there without pay
ing rent" she said. I'VE are able tt
nav rent nov If 1t is not too much
''But," replied Mr.. Bowen, ut will b.
great advantage to have somebod!
living there who would take an Inter
.st in the place, and did not think O