Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-07-16
OLD CLOTHES
+, AND NEW.
BY Frank II. .SsOsef.
Copyrighted. 1907. by Mary McKeop.

| Boyd came III NJ 4 O'Clock 10 ASK Car-
rie what she was going to wear that
evening to the musicale. Jessie went
upstairs without ceremony. She was
Carries most intimate friend.
"Oh, there you are" said Carrie, who
was sitting on the foot of the bed with
pile of clothing on her lap. 1--WE
been wondering all afternoon what had
become Of you. We're packing the box
to go 10 mothers cousin in West Hold
en-. Aunt Clara wants.
| "Where's the bottle Of benzineT' ask
ed Agnes, interrupting. You had 1t
last, Carrie"
Look OH the shelf In my closet" said
| Carrie. "What are you going to do
with the benzine"
"Clean the spots off that tan cloth
cape Of mine I'm ashamed to send 1t
as it Is now"
"Oh. you needn't he ashamed to send
anything" said Aunt Clara, who was
on her knees before the box, spreading
some newspapers over the bottom.
"They are so poor they'll be glad Of
everything, no matter how old. You
haven't time to clean off spots"
"They can do II for themselves" said
Carrie. Here. auntie, hadn't you bet
ter put these old white skirts In first"
Seems to me. Carrie, you could wear
that white skirt with the rutiles your
self" remarked Mrs. Brandon, who
was pulling over the contents Of
trunk she had dragged In from the hall.
"It doesn't look at all worn."
mo. but ii doesn't hang right re-
Joined Carrie. land it's too short. Be-
sides, despise ruffied pettcoat.'
"very WELL" said her mother In n
resigned tone. Put 1t In. You and
Agnes are dreadfully extravagant.
don't wonder your father complains
about expenses"
Here are some old nightdresses,"
said Mrs. Brandon. II Intended to
tear them up for window cloths. but
Rachel might patch them up
"Of course she WILL" said Aunt
Clara, seizng upon the nightdresses
eagerly.
She thoroughly enjoyed the packing
of this box. She always declared that,
no matter what her faults were, no
one could accuse her of not being gen.
erous.
The trunk yielded, In addition to the
nIghtdresses, an old black alpaca skirt
which had been spoiled by paint when
the front porch had been given fresh
coat the previous fall, much worn
pair of shoes, q black straw bonnet
which had been lying In the tray for
ages" several pairs Of hose In sad need
of darnlng, gray wrapper damaged
by moths and black silk petticoat the
ruffies of which were whipped out.
"YOu could use that silk for lining a
grenadine, Frances" said Aunt Clara.
But I don't expect to have grena-
dine this summer" rejoined her sister,
land 1t seems pity not to put In
something decent"
"Well, II you had been to Cousin
Rachel's and seen how poor they are"
said Clara, you'd know that anything
would be acceptable. Rachel has real
gift for turning and patching too"
"For my part, I'm glad to get rid Of
my old Clothes" said Carrie, .'and |
vote we send Cousin Rachel box ev.
cry year. It's good deal better than
m, lrinn hupJlac FOR fha Associated
Charities to distribute. We know just
where the things are going" She
tossed her aunt green surah waist,
the seams Of which We're frayed. II
can wear the skirt around mornings
with q percnle shirt waist" she added.
All this time Jessie Boyd had stood
quietly at the foot Of the bed looking
on.
HAS your cousin any girls about
my ageW she asked. regarding atten-
lively the two faded waists which
Aunt Clara was folding together.
Dear me, yes answered the lady.
"Alice Is Just your age and Stella
year or so younger Then there are
two little girls Of ten and twelve, Amy
and Ruth. stopped over In West
Holden for Il day In March on my way
home from Florida and saw them all.
They're pretty girls, too, particularly
Alice. felt so sorry for them.
don't suppose Alice ever had pretty
gown or bunch Of ribbons In her
life"
Then would you mind if-could I
send something" stammered Jessie.
81 wouldn't want them to know, Of
course, but have several little things,
and
"Oh, my dear child. yes" Aunt Clara
interrupted. Bring anything you
choose; I'll pack it. No matter how
old 1t Is, they can make use Of It,"
Jessie went home at once. In about
twenty minutes she returned with
good sized pasteboard box. with a mar
row pink ribbon tied around 1t. On
the cover was written, For Alice"
You're just in time; I'm ready to
have Peter nail up" said Aunt Clara.
"Oh, I'm not to see what you're send
ing. Now, my dear child, you needn't
be ashamed of It, whatever 1t is, for
they have so little that anything-l
only hope Rachel will appreciate the
trouble I've taken" and she followed
Jessie into Carries room.
There, on the bed, lay the gown her
younger niece was to wear to the
musicale. 1t was cream china silk.
trimmed with lace and white ribbon
and beside 1t was pair Of high heeled
slippers Of French kid.
you'll wear your new china silk
waist, Of course, jessie" said Carrie as
her friend glanced toward the bed.
Jessie shook her head. mo. I've de-
cIded on my blue organdie," she an
swered quietly and then began to talk
Of something else.
They were opening the box In the
sitting room Mt West Holden when
Alice Brent came In, GREATNESS. She
was slender girl, with soft eyes.
HAS It Gomez" she cried. How glad
I am | got here in time"
Eyes, but we weren't going TO un
mack It until you came," said Stella
"We lust wanted to have 1t all ready
|