The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-01-10

we paint. i dHIit dNu .
Yes. II you'll clean the brushes
and put them away when you get
through. Here are some lovely col
.ors on the palette, all ready mixed.
Don't talk too loud, you and Dimples;
mamma is not so well to-day"
She passed through curtained
doorway into the next room, and sat
down by her mothers couch,
Did hear you say you were tired,
dear" asked Mrs Shelton,
Yes. tired of this monotonous, In.
active life. | have been thinking all
day what a waste II was to spend so
much money on my music and paint
ing What good do they do me, since
papa has buried US in this wilder.
ness"
The more alone we are the more
need OF resources within ourselves"
replied the mother
Martha shrugged her shoulders.
Yes. know, she said, but 1t doesn't
suit me. have always thought there
was n work for me in the world; but
I will never find It here"
"a few years make great changes in
a place like this" said her mother.
"Oh, mamma, your patience almost
vcXcs me. You talk Of few years as
II they were few days. Must | sit
in idlencss and wait for the building OF
railroads and schools and changes |,
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 a 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.
dorstand is Just the thing lies nearest
to thy hand "
"Oh, mammal" The curtain part.
ed and Egbert bounded in; oh, nam.
ma, Fannie has colored q basket OF
eggs 10 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,
BERTHE" said his sister. Send the
children some of those painted eggs,
but keep away from there; you might
catch some disease"
mo. Marsie, heard DR.. Brown tell
papa, only yesterday, that there was
no sickness there except a few cases
,of-of-'Pullmanery,' | think he called
Il; | don't know what that is. but II
can't be bad because papa said
could go If you and mamma were
willing"
The curtain parted again, and lit.
tie girl with large. shy eyes, and
cheeks that dImped when she spoke.
came timidly in. ITS nice and clean
up there" she said and they're al.
ways 50 glad to see anybody"
Il think Egbert may GO" said Mrs
Shelton Marie took long look at
Fannie. and her will relaxed. Sure.
ly, II such a sweet. wholesome little
creature visited the county poor house
It could not be such disgusting place
as she had imagined.
DO you think they would care for
flowers, Fannie" she asked; u could
send a few lilies and a basket OF hya.
cinths, and also wagon full Of plum
blossoms
Encouraged by this sudden spark Of
interest, Mrs. Shelton said: Suppose
you so with the children, Martha?
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 a room at the other
end of the hail. and, rising above this,
a clear bird-likc 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, but
they're only tin plates. you know
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
IAN plum blossoms. Who's got EN-? p
Fannie approached her on tlp.toe, and
held out n spray Of plum blossoms
Cherry darted toward her seized her
and rubbed a moist hand ovor the
laughing little face. Il knoweL It WAS
you" she said; who else'd be br,uu
ing posies to the pore house?"
who else?" repeated Fannie. why
EHuert Shelton, and his sister Miss
Martha. Here they are"
Cherry made her best how. 81 cam
see you" she said. but I'm obliged t.
you for comm"
1--WE heard YOU singing" said Mar