Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-30
A Little Old Lady of Crampt0n

she was a child. young girl in Old Ireland of her fathers decent home, and Of how well she was brought up- gentle manner and speaks the pretti- est English with only a touch of muSi- cal brogue. She tells me about the Champion families she worked for in the days when she was "Hvin' out,I Of her own girlhood hopes and dreams. of her early married life. and the coming of the child, much Of the boy who grew to manhood and of his pa thetic death, then of her gradual drift i downward, deeper and deeper into misfortune and trouble and sickness. the growing older and weaker and less skilful. until at last, T can't be going down on me knees. mem, to do be so stin with the Rheumatism. meqn." She is not beautiful to look at now. but I, who love her. can see traces of former beauty in her face. In those far-back dayss,when she was one of a 'fcouple" on the stone wall, she must have been a. rarely pretty girl. Her poor old face is still re- fined. the lines of brow and cheek and chin are regular and delicate, the nose is fine, the mouth sweet; and now and then comes twinkle Of laughter about the lips But the eyes are dim; they have known too many tears.
 Out under the apple blossoms I was telling all this only yesterday to my sister friend, my Lady Greafheart. For a long moment she fixed her ear nest gaze on me; then came the lit tie quicker between her brows which always comes when she is trying to think things out. Tt cannot cost very much to keep two old people like that she remarked What does the town allow them?"
 'Crampton pays their rent" I re- piled, supplies their fuel, and gives them a one-dol1ar a week order for food or course, you understand. l will have to go to tine poorhouse."
 Why not at once?" she asked
 Poor little old iady!" I answered 'T was talking with her about 1t the her if she could not make up her mind to go there now, and so be taken care of the rest of her life, the hot tears gushed to her dim old eyes. oh, no. she pleaded, not until we have to: not while I can still earn a little It seems she picks up a few pennies by washing out small pieces for her neighbors.''
 not take care of iler7" asked my Lady Greatheart-
 Your" I exclaimed. "why. no. suppose not, if you can. and if you want to-
 q believe I can," she smiled. 'I have a small surplus, you know. to share with-wfth my friends"
 Then, springing to her feet, she faced me with her eyes shining. Come with me and help" she said First, we will notify the authorities; then we will find them two rooms somewhere above ground, two bright sunny rooms. want them to have floods of sunshine. We'll put in some simple furniture, comfortable beds, and two easy chairs, and a good stove. After that. it will be for me to see that they always have plenty of wood and coal
 What fun ttS play fairy godmother!" broke in. How glorious. mean- Why does not everyibody?"
 She did not hear; she was thinking things through to the finish. We must find out from them, from our dear old lady herself. just what they like to eat, and how much to lay in each week. Then you and I will give the orders ourselves. plentifully, with a margin moreover for baccy and things. Oh," she cried, throwing her arms wide, 'Tf could but lift the sorrows of the worldi"
 THE RECLUSB.