The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-06-20
OLD CLOTHES
AND NEW.
BY Frank II. StOeef.
L.-....-..i..l. l. ID lnl- AIaI-u....
Copyrighted, 1907, by Mary McKeon.
BY Frank II. SsOeef.

They were all up in Aunt Clara S
room, packing the box, when Jessie
Boyd came in at o'clock to ask Car
RE what she was going to wear that
evening to the musicale. Jessie went
upstairs without ceremony. She was
Carries most intimate friend.
ooh. there you arer said Carrie, who
was sitting on the foot of the bed with
pile of clothing on her lap. I've
been wondering all afternoon what had
become of you. We're packing the box
to go to mothers cousin in West Hold
en-. Aunt Clara wants
where's the bottle of benzne?" ask.
ed Agnes. interrupting, You had it
last, Carrie"
Look on the shelf in my closet" said
Carrie. What are YOU going to do
with the benzinoY
"Clean the spots off that tan cloth
cape of mine. I'm ashamed to send 1t
as it is now
ooh, you needn't be 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 it for themselves" said
Carrie. Here auntie hadn't you bet
ter put these old white skirts In firstY'
Seems to me, Carrie, You could wear
that white skirt with the ruffes your
self" remarked Mrs. Brandon, who
was pulling over the contents of a
trunk she had dragged in from the hall
at doesn't look at all worn"
"No. but it doesn't hang right" re-
joined Carrie. and it's too short. Be
sides, despise a rufIled petticoat."
Every we'll" said her mother in a
resigned tone. put it in. You and
Agnes are dreadfully cxtrayagant.
don't wonder your father complains
about expenses"
Here are some old nightdresses,"
said Mrs Brandon. Il intended to
tear them up for window cloths. but
Rachel might patch them up"
"Of course she will" said Aunt
Clara, seizing 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
nlghtdresses, an old black alpaca skirt
which had been spoiled by paint when
the front porch had been given a fresh
pair of shoes, a black straw bonnet
which had been lying in the tray "for
ages" several pairs of hose In sad need
of darning, a gray wrapper damaged
by moths and black silk petticoat the
rutfles OF which were whipped out.
you could use that silk for llning~a
grenadlne. Frances" said Aunt Clara.
But don't expect to have a grena-
dine this summer" rejoined her sister,
land it seems a pity not to put In
something decent"
We'll, if you had been to Cousin
Rachels and seen how poor they are"
said Clara. you'd know that anything
would be acceptable. Rachel has a real
gift for turning and patching too"
For my part, I'm glad to get rid OF
my old clothes" said Carrie, land |
vote we send Cousin Rachel a box ev-
cry year. It's a good deal better than
making bundles for the Associated
Charities to distribute We know Just
where the things are going" She
tossed her aunt green surah waist,
the seams of which were frnAed Il
can wear the skirt around mornings
with a percale 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 age 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 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 a bunch of ribbons in her
life"
Then would you mind if-could |
send something| stammered Jessie.
II 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 homa at onca In q hout