The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-06
How Ben and Lucy Changed Their Opinion "Od Cosbones

/ know. mamma has had hard time max
ing both ends meet since dear papa's
death. And l am so worn out with sew
Ing by the day In families-which is
otherwise a hardship, as 1t takes me
away from my home all day-that have
decided to take few boarders through
the summer and stay at home and rest up
bit. Housework Is not wearing on one
like sewing Is And | want to be at home
with my children. But. to come out even,
knew ] must get one or two boarders
who would pay literally; otherwise l
would be obliged to keep at the sewing
machine
"Oh, mamma, dear, forgive me for feel
Ing provoked about old er-I mean Mr..
Perkins," pleaded little Lucy. her heart
going out to her good, Industrious
and over worked mother. "a don't mind
having him bit-lf 1t makes 1t possible
for you to stay at home all day with us,
Instead of having to go out to sew. Be
sides, we won't see much of him. except
at the table, for he's too Ill to come trot-
ting about the house and into the back
yard"
But we must not be selfish, dear" said
Mrs. Mayer. 1--WE must not forget that
one who Is sick and suffering all the
time needs cheerful companlonship Just
remember how your papa. during the
year of his Illness, enjoyed the visits and
attentions of his friends. Even though
he had us, he looked forward longingiy
TO the frequent calls of those who came
In smiling, with some humorous anecdotes
to relate. We must do all we can to
cheer the poor sick man, and make his
hours-that must seem long-as endur-
able as possible
Then Mrs. Mayer went up stairs TO fix
the best front room for the coming inva-
IDS occupancy. She had promised him
In the morning that all would be In readi-
ness for him early In the afternoon.
well, / wonder what Ben will say
when he comes home and tell him that
mamma has taken In old Cross bones-l
mean Mr.. Perkins--to board" sollloqulzed
Lucy, as she swept the back porch.
well, he's got to look at 1t as j do
sensibly," she added, wagging her pretty
head
About 2 o'clock old Mr.. Perkins moved
into the best front room Of the home OF
widow Mayer" bringing with him lot
of books and strengthening iron-clad
box. Otherwise his belongings were
meagre. He asked the widow-who was
helping to get him comfortably settled In
his room-to raise window overlooking
the yard at the side of the house, and to
might get the afternoon sunshine and
hear the birds sing In the nearby trees.
But hardly had the invalid got settled
when his attention was attracted by
beautiful sunny haired little girl, who sat
in the yard just beneath his window pick
Ing over Strawberries. He turned to ask
| the widow who the child was, but she
had hustled out of his room, closing the
door behind her. Then the sick man be-
| gan to watch the little girl with a great
deal of interest, for children were new to
him, us he had always made 1t point
to board where dogs cats and children"
were not allowed. But. somehow this
busy little miss held peculiar charm for
him, and he found himself hoping that
she belonged 10 the house where he was
now n guest
How strange that l never inquired
about children, cats and dogs" he unused.
''It may turn out that the place Is in
tested with one of each. Well. | was so
taken by the big yard and the Cuiet sur
roundings that forgot to be particular
in my investigation concerning those very