The Topeka state journal., 1905-11-22
THE EVENING STORY
Miss samantha's Windfan.

The old almshouse stood dark and
dreary against a background Of leaf
the "overseer of the poor" decided it
was better to put food inside the in
mates than paint outside the house.
Miss Samantha Brown, Miss Sally
Smith and Miss Dorcas Sprague, three
old spinsters, sat quietly knitting-thelr
chores done-befOre a cheerful stove IN
a room quite pleasant for a poor
farm.
These old women had ali seen better
days; but their little stores had dWin-
died and then disappeared altogether
''All going out and none coming in,
money soon flies, and at last the dear
old things found themselves where they
were.
They did not repine however; they
had good, plain food and warmth.
The matron was a CHEEKY, good-na-
tured creature, unlike Mrs. Comey.
Then Mrs. Page the village lawyers
wife, kept them well supplied with yarn
and knitting needles and many a pair
of mittens were made for the men VINO
had outdoor work to do.
Now and then a chorus of laughter
rang out as one old ladv told funny
story Of by-gone days.
Miss Sally sighed loudly.
What's the matter Sallyf" asked
Dorcas. Il was thinking I'd like a
'Um,'' said the other two, so would
''I wish I had a rich uncle in Austria
liza to die and leave me some money.
I'd treat you two to sody' said Dor
cas-
"Pshaw, Dorcas. your uncle would
have to be about hundred and eight,
answered Sally.
Guess he would more, too"
They all laughed.
Just then Mrs. Loomis, the matron,
bounced into the room.
She always bounced, she was so
round and rosy, and jolly.
aunt Samanthy, here's a letter for
"A letter for me, why where could it
have come from? All my friends are
gone" sadly.
open It: samanthy." said the other
She opened it and three 81 bills drop
ped into her lap.
Money!" she exclaimed. why what
in the WoFld?"
Read. read, samanthy!"
She read.
Dear Madam;-Thirty years ago you
oveTpaid me in making change, and l
neVed told you. The Lord will not par
don me until I have reDaid it with in
terest I now send the amount with
same"
That was all There was no sigma
GLORY be to Cod" said Miss saman-
tha.
Now at "A when you haven't had any
money for years it begins to burn in
your pocket Miss Samantha's did.
81 think I will go for a walk, Mrs.
LOOMS" "
VERY well. Aunt Samanthy"
May Dorcas and Sally come too? ?"
Certainly"
so upstairs the three old dears went
to put on their outside garments.
They were as happy as children as
they started out.
Sold c,a,,,aI4ba ssxUo,,15 Won liIxo a
glass of soda water, girls?
"Oh. Samantha"
They trotted along to the village,
their faces beaming.
Aunt Samantha was a proud woman
as she ordered three sodas."
Hot or cold, Miss Samantha2" in
quired the clerk surprised, adding;
Had a windfal1, Aunt Samantha ?"
Should say I had; -nougn to buy
lots of soda water"
Never was "sody'' so enjoyed; they
took cold and then hot.
Now, I want a quarter of a pound
of your best peppermints, and a half
a dozen each of peppermint barley
and cinnamon sticks
Samantha - whispered DOrcas,
don't spend so much"
81 shan't spend too much" an
swered Miss Brown, grandly.
They left the drug store, went to a
fruit stand and purchased a basket of
3 "a pes anu d 4OLEn OIdllBGS.
Sally. will you carry the grapes or
oranges %
The grapes said Sally.
''Doreas, viii you carry the candy %
with pleasure"
Then the three turned towards
home
Now" said Miss Samantha, ST
shall stop at Miss Lanes and give her
so cents and join the missionary So
ciety again.
She did.
Miss Lane, you won't mind my
clothes, will you? They aren't very
good, but I do so want to belong
again"
you dear old soul. we shall only be
too glad to have you with us once
more; and you'll bring Miss Dorcas and
Miss Sally as your guests sometimes,
won't you?"
When they were safe at home again
Miss Samantha held a little consulta-
ton with the matron, which resulted in
the promise of sweet cider for the
evening.
Samantha had some tiny note-paper
which had been given her at Christ
mas; she took some of this and wrote
the following words:
Miss Samantha Brown requests the
pleasure of your company in the sit
ting-room at 1880 o'clock this even
ing and sent the invitation to every
The three old ladies then popped
some corn.
Mrs. Loomis contributed some ap-
pies.
Did they have a good time? Rather.
The old walls fairly rang with jollity.
An old farmer driving by said to
himself. "Guess the whole house has
gone crazy"
Miss Samantha's party was long re-
mem bered.
Just before retiring, she whispered
to the other two, Next summer we'll
have ice cream soda and trolley rides.
have just half left
Dorcas said, "Oh. girls! how nice it
must be to be in society,""
Then silence and oblivion reigned
over all.
QUAKER REFLECTIONS.