The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-19

clapping her hands. The truth was, she had wanted her grandmother, but had not thought 1t proper to propose her, waiting for some other member of the club to do so.
 Shall call her over the phone7' asked Mrs. Topping.
 ''Yes, mamma, do so." urged Madge.
 "Will she be prepared to come this moraiag?" Mrs. Topping asked Ethel.
 "Yes, indeed, grao 1mamma's always pre- pared for anything, especially if the any thing means doing something for some body" assured Ethel
 Mrs. Topping hurried down stairs to the phone and soon heard Grandma" Che ney's voice answering her.
 "Yes, indeed, she would be delighted to come and help the dear girls out" she said And she did come at once, bringing patterns of every description and her own well-equipped work basket.
 Soon work was cut out and planned for each one present and needles kept busy with tongues as all bent to work In earnest.
 Early that morning Mrs. Topping had called on the poor widow and had taken the measurements of the children, so that the garments might be made to fit nicely, and both she and Grandma" Cheney were as conscientious in this work for charity as they would have been had they had their own chlldren's and grandchil- dren's clothing in hand.
 Pretty little bows and rosettes of rib. bon were discussed with much interest and only harmonious colors were allowed 10 come in direct contrast.
 After much coaxng Ethel prevailed upon her grandmother to let her have some basting to do, and a merry little twinkle was in the old lady's eyes as she
 'iNow, baby dear"-for Ethel was still n baby In her grandmamma mind-"you must remember that your reputation with this club is at stake. Do you think I'd better chalk the seams by a yardstick, so you'll not run wide of the trackT"
 Everybody laughed at Ethefs expense; as thoroughly as the others did, laughed, too. and with defiant little toss of her curly head quoted: He laughs best who laughs last. Then gathering up her work dow. adding: "Grandmamma used to tell me when I was a little teentsy tot that one could not do two things at q time time with which means l shall not talk" Then turning her back on the others In the room, She bent her head over her basting.
 
 Ethel when she first came to live with me" confessed Grandma. ''The dear child had such a way of trying to sleep while she ate her supper and many times of milk Once she dropped oyer on the table asleep and mixed her hair up with some molasses l had poured into pan to boil into taffy.'
 And rye been a taffy head ever slnce,' came Ethel's voice from the depths of the window seat ,,, ,s
 Thus the Joking and fun went forward os n fitting accempaniment to the plying of needles and click or scissors when, to the astonishment or the menuing cinD, the clock struck F.
 and we are just about half done. Must those poor little children go, like the Afri- can sayages, without clothes till this club meets next Saturday, exclaimed Leonie, @etting up from her seat on the floor and Shaking the white basting threads from ne. aI g suggest that we come back this after noon and finish up' said Ethel as she came from the window yawning and work-if you'll all excuse the slang-a | don't want to get out of practice before I finish that little petticoat. My, oh! Granny will be dumfounded when she beholds the beauty of my seams. They Cow patRs?" queried Madge mischiev- ously, interrupting Ethel to supply the
 After the laughter subsided Mrs. Top ping put aside her work and rose, saying Tt will be my pleasure to entertain this 1 with your work, but keep busy as bees till the first call for luncheon is sounded. And l wish to make this suggestion. that we allow ourselves only 30 minutes for re- treatments. Does the Mending Club ac- | cept my inyitation-with the 3O-minute clause insertedy
 pings cordial invitation to remain to luncheon,' said Leonie, rising and assum- ing very businesslike air.
 T would second the motion...if l knew just how the menu would read remarked Ethel dryly.
 .The repast will consist of the rem nants. of our breakfast, and can assure you that justice can be done to 1t in less time than mamma has stated, said Madge, equal to the occasion.
 "oh, you awful girls" laughed Mrs.
 Wei, I'm willing to risk the. bill of fare, said Grace. ''I second Leonie s motion.
 But where's our chairman7 We must have someone to handle these motions and seconds for us, suggested Ethel.
 Let Grandma' Cheney act as our that more honorable office" broke in Madge.
 With all thanks due l decline the honor qgnea 5ne nta near ola aay
  form. You have no officers, no rules and regula tions---
 Eve don't want rules and regulationsr' declared Ethel. Excuse me, granny, dear~-but if we have q president it will consume too much of the clubs time In making salams to that worthy and all that worthy's time in showing us her au- thority. No, l. for one, object to such old-fashioned, cut-and -dried methods. We don't want bylaws; they are such vexa- tious things. See how lovely everything has gone on this morning without them l'
 Then you are not Il club,' Insisted Grandma
 "Oh, yes we are. granny" declared Ethel We're a every -girl-for- herself club, with the right to speak at any time
 "Yes." yes" yes cried three merry voices in a chorus of laughter.
 Well, we'll, bless your dear little hearts, have your own innocent, reckless way said Grandma smiling her apz proval. And l must say that if this body is a club 1t is conducted along most