Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-25
The Log Cabin Quilt
(Adrienne Thum.)

| Ster was wonderfully Spry TO De 81
! years old, and that really it was almos
a shame for her to be in the old ladies
home, as she did not seem old enough
to be laid on the shelf; but all hel
people were dead, and when hel
daughter died Mrs. Webster surrender
ed all she had to the home and Wen
in. She told the matron when she
came that she was like a piece OF un
bleached cotton, plain, but useful, anc
she would wear long time; she might
be worn thin in some places, but she
was not worn out yet.
She helped wash dishes and dus,
hall, dining room, and sitting room
although the matron, Miss Alice San
ders told her there was no need for hel
to do these things, for there was
maid who though somewhat overwork
ed, could get through. But Mrs. Web
ster said that she was not afraid OF
wearing herself out.
1T takes nothing from me- she In
sisted, Ito read to those whose eyes
are dim and to say a mite OF encour
agement to the down hearted. 1t
seems to make me feel that am
CROWN in power, to think am helpin
folks along, if it's only in a little cor.
ner."
Charlotte Webster was great fav.
orite with the matron, and if she did
not have any relatives of her own, she
had lots of friends outside the home.
There were the little girls whom she
had taken care of when their mother
had to go out to sew, the old lady
whose house Mrs. Webster looked al,
ter one summer, and the grabbed old
lawyer who could not eat the lunches
at the restaurants, so Mrs. Webster
used to fix him up one every day. Ihey
all came to see her and brought her
little remembrance which she prompt
" shared with the other inmates OF
the home. When the matron remon-
strated and said the presents were
brought for her, she answered:
"The cake wouldn't agree with me,
an the flowers wouldn't smell sweet
if l kept them all to myself
One thing she did keep, however,
and that was the quilt pieces tnat
were brought here. Miss Alice hao
taken her to church with her one sun
day and she had been deeply interest
ed in the talk about the good the hos
pitfalls and schools are doing in the
countries far away. Charlotte wanted
to help. She thought and thought wnat
she could do, and one morning she
Weakened early and the Thought OF a
log cabin quilt came to her mind
How many she had made in the years
gone by. and they had always been
admired! ,,...
II was to be a surprise for MISS
Alice Sanders, who she was sure could
sell the Quilt to one Of the ladies and
use the money. Alone in her little
room, making her log cabin quit
Charlotte had many happy hours.
81 have had such a good time max.
ing it that l feel more than PAID oy
lust having the work to do she said.
If Miss Alice dwelt more on the
wonder that woman OF eighty coulu
make the quilt than on its actuai
beauty. Charlotte did not notice, 1or
she felt that the matron was pleaseu'
Some of the ladies from the churcn
came to sew for the home now ana
then and that very afternoon num-
har we're to be there. Miss Sanders
said she would present the quilt 70
them from Mrs. Webster and see VINO
would buy it, or in what way 1t could
he turned into money for the forelgn
work.
1T certainly is pretty said Char.
lotte, turning the quilt this way anu
then that. To her it was work OF arr
doubly dear, for the work itself ano
for the object for which she hao
created it.
"The ladies have come, and am 60
ing to take the quilt down, ana MISS
Sanders folded it up and hurried OH
with it.
Charlotte was as excited as girl.
Her ewes shone and a flush Of pinE
came upon her withered cheeks.
"I do want to hear what they say
about the quilt. 1t wouldn't be niue
of harm if I just stepped into the an
ing room and listened" she thougn5
to herself.
The doors were open between the
sitting room and the dining room
with only a thin portiere between and
Charlotte stood behind the portlere,
her heart beating with excitement ana
pleasure. Evidently Miss Alice had
iust explained about the quilt.
Gust see what little stitches, and
you say that she is 80 years old? Well,
it is wonderful for any one that OLD,
even if it is one of those hldeous Ola
fashioned log cabin quilts"
Charlotte in the next room gasped
and sat down in chair.
"Yes," said Mrs. Lockwood. If she
had only made something a little new
err, there would not have been half
the work in it that this has been, and
then some one could have used It."
well" answered Miss Alice, "of
course she is old fashioned in her
ideas, but she is the dearest old soul
that ever lived. and she always wanted
to help along"
1--WE must not hurt her feelings for
anything" said Miss Steel. Lets
each give something on the quilt and
for the missions. and then give the
quilt to the organist. He knows many
poor families that will be glad to get
something to keep them warm, no
matter what it is
Miss Sanders, l wonder what ails
Mrs. Webster" asked Mrs. Bond of
the matron later. "She seems so
l told her how useful
she was and how she cheered us all,
,l,o ho r. old ~ ho