Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-11-24

"The box makes quite showing,
doesn't it, Vivian?' she asked. II did
not think it was near so full. guess,
after all, 1 won't put in the gingham
I've given them enough. l hope they'll
be properly grateful; after all my trou-
BILE, they ought to be-"
"When is the party, Gladys"
'"The 9th, and oh, mother, l do want
to 60 So Beth is my best friend.
can't tell her why l must stay away,
and yet I'll have to. Isn't there some
way that you could manage, mother?'
Mother shook her head. ga new dress
is impossible now, DEAR" she answered;
''later, might get one perhaps, but with
winter coming on, there's so many things
we must nave. Rent to pay, and coal
and groceries we can't do without. Aunt
Catherwood's box comes this month.
Perhaps" --...~a.a
"Oh, mother, there's never anything
in that" cried Gladys, rebelliously.
Don't you remember last year when
times were so hard and you were sick,
all she sent was some WORKOUT fannels,
an old opera cape and two or three straw
hatsw
aunt Catherwood's box has come"
announced Ben a day or two later. Ben
was a year and a half younger than
Gladys and looked a good deal like her.
''The mans just bringing it in now,' The
added.
Ben went for the Ratchet. When he
came back he glanced at Gladys. Gladys
was standing looking at the box.
tn
shed them now," he said solemnly, as
he pried open board. Though only
boy, Ben had a keen sense of humor
which much poverty and many disap-
pointments could not wholly subdue.
The lid was off and the first article
Ben drew from the box was the old
dressing sacque. Gladys groaned and
mother looked sympathetic. Next came
the wooden dress, and in quick success
sion the other articles. Gladys turned
away. She wasn't going to witness any
more unpacking. It was too bitterly dis
appointing Suddenly she heard an ex-
clamation from mother and Ben.
GLADYS, come here" called mother
excitedly.
Gladys went back. There stood moth
err with dress in her hands. A beauti-
full gray dress with a pink velvet collar
and cuffs, evidently intended for her.
Gladys stood still, transfxed with as
constituent.
"Oh mother" she cried, ''do you think
that's really meant for me?"
sit must be-" said mother smiling
happily, land look here, dear, at the
shoes, handkerchiefs, gloves, ribbons,
fan, white skirt, all intended for the
same little maiden. Why, you'll be rich,
Gladys, with all these treasures, and
just as you were needing them, too, so
much. l feel rebuked. l might have
known God would have provided for
u.s.
"Wel, you are a lucky girl" said
Ben emphatically. 81 wonder what got
into Aunt .Catherwoods stingy soul. The
grace of God, l guess. You can go to
that party after all, Gladys"
81 had such a nice letter to-day from
Gladys" remarked Uncle Catherwood
that evening. ''She thanked us for the
box you sent them, and especially for
dress that came in it. A beautiful dress
she called it. Did you send such nice
one, Anna?'
Aunt Catherwood looked up. She and
Vivian were sitting across from Uncle
Catherwood over a cheerful, open fire.
"A dress? Yes" she answered, flush
ing little. but it wasn't exactly
beautiful. 1t was one of mine l did not
care for
Uncle Catherwood looked puzzled.
Here's her letter." he went on, adjust
ing his glasses. ''Let me read it to you.
There's a mistake somewhere"
Dear Uncle ard Aunt Catherwood." it |
began.
Il write to thank you for the hox which |
arrived safely. l can never be grateful |
enough for the beautiful gray dress it con-
tanned, which | so much needed. 1t fitted |
perfectly and / wore L to the party of my