The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-02-20

| was such an expression OF hopeless
ness on his face that her heart ached.
He hardly spoke, even to the children,
and when he did, his voice was as
hopeless as his face
While she was doing the dishes she
thought busily. She remembered how
the family used to be before Mary
died. Henry was cheerful and talka-
tive, the children happy and lively.
What was the cause Of the change?
She tried to think that it was because
Of Marys death, but her reason and
conscience denied 1t, and at length
she saw it was herself "Oh," she
cried. Il am the most miserable per-
son in the world. ] am no comfort to
myself and make everyone about me
unhappy"
She threw herself face down on the
sofa and wept long and violently
When she sat up and wiped her eyes
she set her lips with determination.
I'm change things, or perish in the at
tempt" she said aloud.
AS she looked about the cherries
rooms and thought Of all she must do
and undo, feeling Of deep detection
| settled over her. She had an intense
| longing for human sympathy and
| counsel: but who was there to whom
she could turn for aid?
Suddenly she got up, and snatching
shawl and throwing it over her head,
she ran out of the house and across
the road. She would go and see Mrs
Preston. Henry had urged her to do
so again and again.
She knocked at the door and a
CHEEKY voice babe her come in She
entered a room which, in spite of the
old and dilapidated furniture, still had
an air of sunshine and good cheer.
In rockingham beside table sat
very fat old lady. She did not rise
when Matilda came in, but held out
her hand and greeted her With smile.
Almost before she knew what she was
doing. Matilda had poured out all her
troubles to the old lady She began to
be comforted at once
But it is such a hopeless task" she
said. Where shall | begin?"
you must begin with yourself"
said Mrs. Preston. IF you feel happy
and hopeful, why, the others will, too.
You won't have to do anything else,
and you don't know what a difference
it will make. I've seen that you were
making mistake in keeping so much
to yourself You must go about and
see the neighbors. You may not like
all of them, but if you try to interest
yourself in them you'll get to liking
them a little People are so depend
ent on each other. my dear We can't
get along alone. We've got to think
about other peoples joys and sorrows
some, or we shall get morbid and mis-
cradle
Matilda stayed much longer than
she had intended, and her mind was
so full of Mrs. Preston that she
talked about her all through supper
time
Il told you you'd enjoy calling
there" said Henry, triumphanty.
Suddenly Matilda bethought herself
of what she must do to make her
home pleasant. She looked at the
faces about the table. Then she
stared harder. Henry was looking
quite cheerful, the children were chat
tering happily. Could it be possible
that the charm had begun to work al
ready?
Just then Henry looked at her, and
their eyes met. III his there was an
expression of newly awakened hope.
She smiled at him little TREMENDOUSLY
In the weeks that followed Matilda
called on all the neighbors. At the
first there was a slight constraint, for
her neglect of them had caused some
feeling of resentment; but when it
was found that she really had desire
to become acquainted, most of them
forgave her freely. She did not find
many who were entirely congenial-
she had not expected it-but she
found that there was not one with
whom she could not sympathize.
There was one young woman who was
in the same state she had been in and
Matilda coaxed her out for walks and
talked cheerfully to her. finally effect,
ing cure.
Matilda was still subject to occas-
onal attacks of the blue devils; but
she found that brisk walk In the
open air, or a chat with Mrs. Preston,
would drive them away, and that
when she returned, the trouble which
had seemed so gigantic would be re-
duced to it's proper size. In time she
came to seem an actual necessity to
the neighborhood.
People asked her how she kept so
young and happy. DO you want the
recipe?" she would say. Here it is:
Do your duty, take good care of your
health and be interested in every body
and everything"
She made such a cheerful, pleasant
home that her brother and the chill
dren thought it the best place in all
the world.
Has Studied Indians.