The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-04-21

OuGuSEs
three dogs an fed 'em those victuals
night an mornin' until they was all
gone"
There was chorus of Mortified ex-
clamations do declare |" "Did
you ever p Don't some folks beat
all pat this waste of edibles and
benevolence.
Still, 1 agree with Mrs. Vose that
something must be DONE" said the
chaplain.
Hasn't some one any suggestion
to make 2" asked the president help
lessly.
II don't suppose she'd ever go to
the poor-farm, came from the sofa.
Goodness, no! p was the emphatic
response of several voices in unison.
Then the treasurer got to her feet
with the air of one who had tremen-
dous inspiration,
There's the Old Ladies Home at
Westlake," she suggested.
"But it's expensive" the secretary
objected.
"You can get any one over seven
ty in there for two hundred dollars, /"
said the treasure; 'that is if they
have room on the top floor and don't
have tea but once day. There's a
hundred and thirty-six dollars in the
treasury. / move we use it for this
purpose, an raise the rest we'll need
by subscription, an also that the pres
ident appoint a committe to reason
with Mis- Dobbins."
This rather complicated motion was
duly seconded and unanimously adop-
ted. Mrs. Vose and the treasurer,
Miss. Staples, were named the COM
mittee, and at their urgent request
the president consented to serve as a
sort Of member at. large. 1t was
agreed that special meeting to hear
the committees report and act upon
it should convene one week later.
And then they adjourned.
Next day, the committee of the
Benevolent Society repaired to Mrs.
Dobbins' house on their errand of
mercy. Much to the surprise of
every one, the old lady, after listen
ing in stony silence to the arguments
designed to overcome her anticipated
obstinacy, consented to go to the
home.
eff you make up your mind to do
a thing" she said grimly, there
amt no time like the present for do
in of it. When'd you say you'd
have the team here to fetch me over
Mis- Vose? Thursday? That's all
right. I'll have the house shut up
an be ready to go with you them
"And we'll help you to close up
and get readv," said Miss Staples
exuberantly.
Mrs. Dobbius, rocking stolidly to
and fro by her kitchen window, mere
ly grunted. She was tall, angular
old woman with sparse gray hair, deep
set eyes that had way of looking at
one with penetrating suspicion. Miss
Staples felt the power of those eyes.
II cal'late what shuttin up there
is to be done II do for myself" Mrs.
Dobbins remarked. "All you got to
do is get the team an drive me over
to Westlake. I sha'n't have much
truck to take along-nothin' but a
valise an them two plants" She
jerked her thumb toward a geranium
and a ry-looking fuchsia slip on
the window-sill. ."You be here
Thursday mornin at nine an I'll
be ready to start.
On Thursday morning at the ap-
pointed hour, the full committee, in
double seated team, drew up before
Mrs. Dobbins' house. True to her
word, the old lady awaited them at
the gate. In her arms she bore the
two plants, and on the ground beside
her lay bulging carpetbag and
handbag of the vintage of the early
ffties. The bags and the plants were
slowed beneath the seats. Mrs. Dob
bins climbed stiff1y in, drawing the
folds of her rusty cashmere shawl
about her bony shoulders, and the
victim Of the Ladies' Benevolent So
ciety began her journey to Westlake.
You'll be so much happier at the
home, I'm sure, dear Mis- Dobbips," +"
chirped Mrs. Briggs. Don't you
think SO yourself?"
Mrs. Dobbins glared.
eff 1 didn't shouldn't be goin' "
she snapped.
It was just before noon when the
doubled seated team reached the
home. The plants and the bags and
old Mrs. Dobbins were successfully
disembarked and respectively borne
and ushered by the committee into a
big, bare receptionroom, where the
matron awaited them.
1--WE shall be glad to have you
with u.s." said the matron pleasantly.
Cant l get you cup of tea, Mis-
Dobbins p
Mrs. Dobbins shook her head.
"Not yet. I want to see your
rooms first" she said.
The matron led the way up three
flights of stairs, and Mrs. Dobbins
and the beaming committee followed
in her wake. They were ushered
into a closet-like room under the
caves. There was but one window,
commanding an unpretentious view of
neighboring roofs and chimmey-pots.
Mrs. Dobbins shifted audibly.
"This," said the matron, 1--WE con-
slider very cozy nook"
"Well 1 don't," said Mrs. Dob
bins. "Ain't there any front rooms
lower DOWN."
ooh, yes, but of course they're
rather more expensive"
Lets see 'em," said Mrs. Dob
bins.
Down two flights trailed the party,
the committe looking trife worried.
They were shown into large, sunny