The Virginia enterprise., 1908-02-28


suit me. I have always thought there
was a work for me in the world; but
will never find it here"
"A few years make great changes In
place like this,"' said her mother.
oh, mamma, your patience almost
vexes me. You talk of q few years as
II they were few days. Must. l sit
IN tdleness and wait for tho building of
railroads and schools and changes? l.,
with all my energy and ambition?"
=. You are not sitting In idleness. To
comfort a sick mother, and make a
bright home for your father and broth.
er is better work than you think,
and your field Of usefulness will widen
day by day. 1t may not be the field
you would have chosen; but do not
forget that What thou best canst un-
derstand Is just the thing lies nearest
to thy hand"
"Oh, mammal" The curtain part
ed and Egbert bounded in; "oh, man.
ma, Fannie has colored a basket of
eggs to take to the children up at the
poor house tomorrow; may go with
her? Please. mamma; never have
been to the poor house."
1T isn't a proper place for you,
Bertte," said his sister. "Send the
children some of those painted eggs,
but keep away from there: you might
catch some disease
mo. Marsie, l heard DR.. Brown tell
papa, only yesterday, that there was
no sickness there except a few cases
of-of-'Pullmanery.' think he called
1t; I don't know what that is, but it
can't be bad because papa said
could 60 II you and mamma were
wiling
The curtain parted again, and a lit
tie girl with large, shy eyes. and
cheeks that dimpled when she spoke,
came timidly In. ITS nice and clean
up there" she said, land they're a.
ways 30 glad to see anybody"
Il think Egbert may co." said Mrs.
Shelton. Marie took long look at
Fannie, and her will relaxed. Sure
ly, II such sweet, wholesome little
creature visited the county poor house
1t could not be such a disgusting place
as she had imagined.
DO you think they would care for
flowers, Fannie?" she asked; Il could
send few lilies and basket of hya.
cinths, and also wagon full of plum
blossoms"
Encouraged by this sudden spark Of
interest, Mrs. Shelton said: Suppose
you go with the children, Martha? l
do not think you would regret It,"
Martha turned on her mother q look
of panied surprise.
"Oh, how can you ask it," she said,
and left the room in tears.
That shower broke up the clouds
and let the sunshine into her heart
again.
The Easter morning saw her seated
in the miller's little wagon, between
Egbert and Fannie, driving old Dex.
ter to the poor house. A bent man
on crutches opened the gate for them.
The hall door stood open, but no
one was visible inside. A clatter of tin
pans was heard In room at the other
end of the hall. and. rising above this,
q clear. bird-like voice singing: Come.
Thou Font Of Every Blessing" ITS
Cherry singing. and washing the
Dishes" said Fannie, and added, laugh
ing: "She calls them dishes, tut
they're only tin plates. you knov'.
Come right in, know the way"
As they entered the bare, but clean
room where the girl was washing the
pans. she hushed her song and drew a
long, eager breath through her nos
trils.. "Hy,cinths! she exclaimed.
''an' plum blossoms. Who's got 'em?"
Fannie approached her on tip-toe, and
held out spray of plum blossoms.
Cherry darted toward her, seized her.
and rubbed moist hand ovor the
laughing little face. Il knowed it wsa
you." she said; "who else'd be br,"H-
ing posies to the pore house?"
who else?" repeated Fannie, why
EkUert Shelton, and his sister, Miss
Martha. Here they arg."'
Cherry made hnr best how. Il can't
see you." she said, but I'm obliged to
you :tQr, COMM
I'VE heard you singing" said Mar
tina; your voice is beautiful"
"'That's what folks say" returned
the. blind girl with evident gratihca-
tion. II sing a heap cause :sey
likes to hear me; l know most all the
songs a-goin'.", ,.r -. ..
. a flushed woman, with dough on
her hands. came in. Tho COOK vhis.
pered Fannie,
"Oh, the blessed Aister!" exclaimed
the woman. I'D clean forgot Il till
4 Geo the flowers: would yer give
me" one OF two to heep me smodnded
Of it," -. ...-
"Thim's splindid," she continued
when Martha, had given her some
snowy clusters; I'll Fave 'em have q
mug OF water ON the kitchen shelf,
and I'll put bit Of short'nen In the
bread this mint. to CELEBRATE the day
jist. The paupers'll be glad of that,
ken tell yez."
Cherry had finished washing the