Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-03

$3.50 if we was all in different styles.
but he'd take us at the north pole with
the baby in furs for $50. l didn't make
no bargain. L wasn't sure about your
stamps.
There's 30 cents in stamps Mrs.
Schwind assured him. And the rest
We'll get somehow.
She spoke with easy confidence, but
in her heart she knew that raising $50
was a serious matter for the Schwind
family jim earned $40 Il week. and they
had hard work to get along. Each sue
cessive Schwind meant d little less 1000
and a good deal more pnchinS Tor the
others, but Mrs. Schwlnd did not care.
Did she not love them and We're they
not welcome. one and all?
1t is true that the neighhorS were o1ten
compelled to lend a helping hand. Some
times the visitor from thcAssoclated
Charities supplied coal and wood: again.
st. Jehn's Mission. the Social Settlelnenl
and Tom Murphy. who kept the corner
saloon. found their sympathes enlisted
But always Mrs. Schwind fcit 1uSulied
in accepting aid from any source Siie
was the mother of twelve, and TINS IN
itself was sufficient compensation for any
community.
The stamp book was good beginning,
and the fund WAS soon increased 10 %
cents by u boycott on jam. linen EiolSe
was invited to appear at Solenskl
amateur night Once n week talented
members OF the community might occupy
the stage. and if their efforts pieaseu
the audience they were rewarded ps
showers of silver pieces. IF they failed
however. they were missed off the boards
with scant ceremony. t.loise's rendition
of her favorite selection, Mid inc
Orchards Fragrant Blossoms, netted
her 10 cents
1t was three weeks before the silver
in the teapot aggregated s., and this
represented jnnume rable sacrifices and
the exercise of much ingenuity in house
hold management, Then the stamp pooh
was cashed and the long-coveted you
was actually in hand.
On Jiln's account, Brady agreed 70
give them a Sunday sitting. On the
Saturday before there was great ACTIVITY
in the Schwind household. All the pest
clothes were laid out, pressed and re-
paired. 1t WAS necessary to borrow a
few pairs of white slippers, but they
were plentiful in the alley and every one
was willing to lend. Then the washtubs
were made ready for the bathing. ana
the younger children We're put to bed TO
keep clean. Preparations were resumed
at 4 o'clock Sunday, for it was no small
matter to get the entire family READY
simultaneously for an occasion like this:
Usually they took their outings in small
groups, which was less of a strain on the
family properties. such as hair ripnons.
neckties. sashes and the like
When Elyira Middleton appeared there
was d gasp of admiration. She was clad
III pink silk, with shoes and stockings 10
match, and her naturally straight hair
was in riot of curlS and crtmps.
Rumors of the impending photograph
had circulated throughout the alley, and
by the time the Schwinds were ready to
start for the studio the neighbors were
stationed at windows and doors. The
procession was marshaied by Eoise
wheeling the twins and fanked on either
cid b.-N T.
tie Mabel's funeral they had not been
out as a family, and they were not I'M
conscious of the attention they attracted
Brady was much impressed with the
Importance of the occasion when told OF
the contest. He tried soiicitously to give
them his best work, taking them standing
and sitting, and as a series of steps. &c
also gave them choice of several back
grounds. On The whole, Mrs. Schwind
felt that never before had she so COM
pletely received her moneys worth
Monday when the proofs arrived, there
WAS much excitement in the alley.
Helene, carrying foaming pail from
Tom Murphy's. met the postman After
glance at the envelope she started on
a run, screaming sllrilly:
The picture, ma; the picture,
The other Schwnds. who were play ing
throughout The street, with one accord
started for the house. In the scramble
the twins. Royal and Patricia. Were
dumped from the DdDE carriage DE the
eager Eloise. Ii took several minutes
to restore tranquility. Then, in the order
of their ages. they We're each allowed one
look. Presently Mrs. Middleton and FL
vira appeared.
Its more natural than life" declared
Mrs. Middleton, and Elvira shows up
real good. too
1T was nice OF you to give us the adj
vantage of her. said Mrs. Schwind
gratefully. 4 kinder hated not to get
credit for Mabel"
Have you got to write their names
underneath"
'-Jim's going to do that Mrs. Schwind
answered, with pride. Hes been takin'
lessons over to the settlement. Helene.
take this proof back to Brady and tell
him to send it as quick as he can
The picture arrived the following day.
1t took the entire evening and the COM
bined efforts of the family to get it
ready for the Elite Ladies' World The
four weeks that followed seemed very
long to the waiting Schwinds. The post
man had agreed that when he had some
thing for them he would whistle three
times as soon as he entered the alley
At last a day came when the postman
actually did whistle. Mrs. schwind was
SO startled that she sank into a chair,
her hand over her heart
Mother of pearl"' she cried. Tn
trembln' like 1 was goin' to the dentist
By the time that Helene entered the
house, carrying a letter and "a small
package, the news had gone forth. Since
every one knew of the contest. Schwinds
friends lost no time in presenting them
selves to hear the result. In her excite
ment Mrs Middleton came with her dust
pan and broom. The children stationed
themselves around their mother, who
handed the letter to Eloise to read aloud
It seemed an eternity before she sue
ceeded in opening the envelope. Then
she read in her shrill little voice:
MY Dear Mr.. and Mrs. Schwind: We