The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-04-05

If ] don't have a new bonnet. and how
can buy new bonnet when il takes |
every cent of that pension money to
buy bread and butter and contribute
TO the missionary society? Lord. don't
you reckon | need new bonnet more
than them heatben needs flannel petit.
coats? Lord. still have faith. be
lieve shall have that Easter bonnet
this year. Amen!'
When Electa opened the door TO
Amabefs repeated knocking her face
still wore the exalted look Of one who
had just Withdrawn from spiritual com.
munon.
Good morning. Amabel" she said
dreamily. You come after your yeastT'
Yes Miss Electa." returned pretty
Ambe extending her pitcher. Isn't
It Il beautifui morningT'
Its pretty day" murmUred Elec-
to, retiring into her pantry with the
pitcher Her yeast was famous
throughout fhe village. and the sale of
it. together with the 500 annual in
come which she called her pension
provided her table. She owned the
cottage.
Mothers nnsing dougbnuts today.
and she says she will send some over
said Aniabei as she went ont.
That's kind of tier, Amabei. but she
needn't send them. rll get them when
come IL the missionary meeting It's
going to be to your house today. amt
IT."
Yes. and | must hurry. for ! prom
| ised to make cake for refreshments"
and Amnl,ei hurried away.
.Au4abe Depring wiS something of a
gossip but never all unkindly one. for
she possessed II warm heart and an un-
| selfish disposition. Of course she told
her mother about illectn's prayer for a
new bonnet
Its TOO bad she can't have one.
mother declared Amabel Az the
| worked together in tlie kitchen of the
Eceriny nome, THAT old horsehair
thing she's been wearing for years is
nothing tit to wear uow,"
Its Il sight. but what can any one
do with E!r,ia: She's as poor as
church mouse ana as proud rs Lucifer.
! expect shed be mad as halter If
she knew you'd overheard her praying
for a bonnet"
Il don't know as it's any more fool
ish to pray for IA bonnet than it is to
ask for Il good crop Of corn or for re
newed health or for happiness" said
Amabei. beating eggs briskly. IF an
Easter bonnet means happiness for
Elccta Scott she ought to have it,"
How Is she going TO get it?" asked
Mrs. Deering.
why. can't the missionary society
send her one? She's contributed enough
to the he,,then out of her little income,
I should thtHk. Why don't you put II
up to the other ladies', mother?'
IL don't believe they'd do it, Amabel.
1t wouldn't be In accordance with the
nature of the society TO give anything
so frivolous and Eighty as bonnets but
III mention 1t if can get chance
before Electa comes"
I'm do more than that" declared
Amabel enthusiastically. '1'll corner
each one when they're taking off thei
things In the bedroom and ask them to
think It over I've made mp my mind
that Electa Scott is going to have 2
new Faster bonnet If | have to give
her my new hat and wear my cid one
80 therev'
Mrs Deering smiled at her daugh-
ter's ardor and she hoped that there
would be no test of Amabel's generos'
ity in the matter of new hats. The
Deeriugs were very well to do and,
like many orher people in the prosper
GUS farming community. had plenty of
clothes for the season. and she could
hardly understand how Electa Scott
could make such a matter of impor-
tance of new bonnet as to carry II
to the Lord in prayer. In fact, Mrs.
Deering felt rather shocked about 1t.
: 'cIt proved that the other members Of
the missionary society felt the same
way about It. No matter how badly
Electa Scott might want an Easter
bonnet, and they all admitted that
hers was wretchedly shabby, il scarce
~ seemed delicate TO mention such a
Eif'iyinl matter 10 the Lord
Welt" cried the eXaspeiWted ANA
bel at last. III you won't do anything.
please remcmber that I've told you
fbout This in rhe Strictest secrecy, and
liz Il ever leaks outside IL will come
from one ot the members Of this sOcie-
w. III see that Electa Scott has nn
faster bonnet. Ny last years straw Is
lperfectly good
That's generous OF Ariabel consid-
pring how fond she Is Of clothes, muir
nlured Mrs James Harmon whose sou
lwas keeping company" with Amahel
liecring,
Aluil,el reddencd and went TO an
swer the doorbell, for II fortunately
happened that Elerrn WAS the last To
arrive. and as she admitted her the
kr uotired that the THU litIle sun
tier was agiow with excitement
Ladies'" she cried As soon ns sse