The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-11-23

we must have. Rent to pay, and coal
and groceries we can't do without. Aunt
Catherwood's box comes liis month.
Perhaps"
"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 1annels,
an old opera cape and two or three straw
hatsE"
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 n good deal like her.
THE mans just bringing it in now he
added.
Ben went for the Ratchet. When he
came back he glanced at Gladys. Gladys
was standing looking at the box.
IF you have tears to shed, prepare to
shed them now" he said solemnly, as
he pried open a board. Though only a
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. 1t was too bitterly dis
appointing. Suddenly she hoard an ex-
clamation from mother and Ben.
s.Gladys, come here," called mother
excitedly.
Gladys went back. There stood moth
er with a 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?"
1T must be-" said mother smiling
happily. "and 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. / feel rebuked. / might have
known God would have provided for
u.s."
well, you are a lucky girl" said
Ben emphatically. II wonder what got
into Aunt Catherwood's stingy soul. The
grace of God, / guess. You can go to
that party after all, Gladys
al 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 a
dress that came in it. A beautiful dress
she called it. Did you send such a 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 a little, but it wasn't exactly
beautiful. 1t was one of mine / 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 and Aunt Cathsrwood." it
began.
arrived safely. / can never be grateful
enough for the beautiful gray. dress it con-
tanned, which I so much needed 1t fitted
perfectly and / wore 1T to the party Of my
dearest friend II it had not been for the
present of that dress, / couldn't nave gone.
/ can't say enough to express my thanks.
/ couldn't begin to write them, but l do
van you to know how happy you have
made me. The shoes fitted, too, and ] wore
also the white skirt and ribbons and car
ried the fan. With everything ! needed, !
had a lovely time. 1T was sc NICE not to
be shabby, but to know mat I was.as well
to mine. 1 wish I could do something In
return for you, but as i can't. I'll just sign
myself your grateful and Iovingfnieee