Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-15
CHAPTER XIV (Continucd)
me by ono the winter days passed.


better than ever. on closer acquaintance. The
Martin girls fitted pleasantly into the house
hold and plainly did much to help the mis-
tress of the house, Father Duff was sun as
irritable as ever. but he was not go much in
evidence, for his increasing lameness was
Conlning him almost entirely to his own
room. This meant added care Tor MISS
Maggie but, with the help of the MarthS'
she stll had some rest and leisure some
time to devote to the walks and talks with
Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith said II was absolutely
imperative. for the sake of her health, 'hat
she should have some recreation ana tnat II
was an act of charity, anyway tnat @ she
should tighten his loneliness py le'''hR MN
walk and talk with her.
Mr. Smith could not help wondering
great deal these days about MISS N'ksNa a
financial resources. He knew from various
indications that they must be Fleh"cr' re-
he never heard her plead poverty or preach
economy. In spite Of the absence OF pro
tecting rugs and tides, however, anu III
spite of the fact that she plainly Sonuuc'e.
her life and household along the lines Oh
the greatest possible comfort he saw many
evidences that she counted the pennieS-ahu
that she made every penny count .,.,
He knew for fact that she had refused
to accent any of the Basdclls legacy. Jane.
to be sure had not offered any money yet
Cthough she had offered the parlor carpet
| which had been promptly r"tused)' nut FRANK
and James and Flora had offered money ana
had urged her to take 1t. MISS MaESie'
however. would have none of H.
Mr.. Smith suspected that Miss Maggie
was proud. and that she regarded such
a gift as savoring too much of charity. Mr'
Smith wished he could say something to MISS
Maggie Mr. Smith was, indeed, not little
disturbed over the matter He did try once
to say something but Miss Maggie tossed II
off with merry: Take their money! Never!
I should feel as II / were eating up some
of lanes interest or one of Hatties gold
chairs" After that she would not let him
get near the subject There seemed then
really nothing he could do.
It was about this time. however, that
Mr. Smith began to demand certain extra
uxuries-honey olives. sardines, candied
fruits and imported jcles. They were al
ways luxures that must be bought. not pre-
pared in the home: and he promptly In
creased the price of his board--but to a
sum far beyond the extra cost of the
dclicacicS he ordered
When Miss Maggie demonstrated at the
size of the increase. he pooh p1ohed her OBJ
jections and declared that even that did
not pay for having such nuisance OF
boarder around. with all his fussy notions.
He insisted, moreover, that the family should
all partake freely of the various delcacies.
declaring that it seemed to take away the
sting Of his fussness If they ate as he
ate and so did not make him appear singular
| in his tastes
OF the Blasdells Mr. Smith saw great
deal that winter They often came to Miss
| Maggie's and occasionally he called at their
| homes. Mr.. Smith was on excellent terms
| with them all. They seemed to regard him.
| indeed, as quite one of the family, and
they asked his advice and discussed their
affairs before him with much freedom
! as If he were in TRUTH member OF the
| family.
He knew that Mrs Hattie Blaisden was
having a very gay winter. and that she had
been invited twice to the Gaylords's He
| knew that James Blasdell was happy in
| long evenings with his books before the
fire From Fred's mother he learned that
ErpI
| college. and from Freds father he learned
that the boy was already leading his class in
| his studies. He heard Of Bessics visits to
| the homes Of wealthy New Workers., and of
| the trials Benny's teachers We're having with
! Benny
| He knew something of Miss Flora's
placid life in her "house of mourning" Gas
| Bessie had dubbed the little cottage). and
| he heard of the perfectly lovely times"
Mellicent was having at her finishing school.
| He dropped in occasionally to talk over the
| price Of beans and potatoes with Mr.. Frank
| Blaisdell in his bustling grocery store, and
| he often saw Mrs Jane at Miss Maggie's
| 1t at Miss Maggie's indeed, one day.
| that he heard Mrs Jane say, she sank
wearily into a chair:
well, | declare, Sonnet lines I think I'll
| never give anybody thing again :"
Mr., smith, at his table conscious of
| a sudden lively interest. SO often, in his
| earlier acquaintance with Mrs. Jane while
| he boarded there. had he heard her say to
mission workers, church solicitors and door
| way beggars, alike. something similar to
| this: 'No. / can give you nothing. I have
nothing to give. I'd love to. if l could
| really | would. 1t makes me quite un-
| happy to hear of all this need and suffering
| I'd so love to do something And if | We're
| rich | would. but as II is, | can only give
you my sympathy and my prayers"
Mr.. Smith was thinking of this now He
| had wondered several times, since the money
| came, as to Mrs. James giving Hence his
| interest now in what she was about to say
Why. Jane. what's the matter?" Miss
| Maggie was querying.
"Evcrything's the matter" snapped Jane
"And positively a more ungra teful set of
| people all around l never saw To begin
with, take the church, You know I've never
| been able to do anything. We couldn't af
| ford it, And now l was so happy that I
| could do something, and l told them so:
| and they seemed real pleased at first |
| gave two dollars apiece to the Ladies' Aid,
| the Home Missionary Society and the
Foreign Missionary Society, and do YOU
| know? they hardly even thanked me
| They acted for all the world as if they
| expected more-the grasping things And
| listen on the way home, just as | passed the
Gale girls, | heard Sue say: Whats two
| dollars to her? She'll never miss it, They
| meant me, Of course, So you see it wasn't
appreciated. Now was it?"
| perhaps not"
| whats the good of giving if YOU aren't
| going to get any credit. or thanks. iust he
| cause you're rich, l should like to know? And
| they aren't the only ones Nothing has been
appreciated" went on Mrs Jane discontent
| edly. Look at Cousin Mary Dayis-you
| know how poor they've always been and
| how hard it's been for them to get along
Her Carrie-MelliCent's age, you know has
had to go to work in Hoopers store Wal
l sent Mellicent's old white lace party dress
to Mary. Twas some soiled, of course and
a little torn but I thought she could clean
it and make 1t over beautifully for Carrie
But what do you think back it came the
la,y y.it nnta Mo-,