Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-12-02
Doing Good
B, cEcILLE LANcDoN
g 1870. Western Newspaper union.)

an" 'atSGp. II almost makes me CfJ
every time | look at its emptiness"
was the pathetic plant of old Mrs
Hannah Dysart.
Cant you afford to get the fruit
anu vegetables and put them up?" in.
CURED Della Morse.
mo. my dear. In the first place, !
nave lost my niftiness in putting up
things. and in the next, really haven't
the money. You see, l have two
nephews who have kindly given me
this little home all for my own and q
regular income. 1t is small and I
have TO be careful"
Della regarded Mrs. Dysart reflec-
lively and with interest. She had be-
come very fond of the kindly, motherly
Old woman who loved to have her
spend an hour or two now and then
chatting with her. The little cottage
lay just across a lot space from the
home of Della; the mother of the lat
ter was dead, and it alleviated the
loneliness of Della to keep up COM
ranfonship with a near neighbor who
was pleasant and intelligent. Besides
that, Della believed in doing good in
the world. and many dainty of cook.
cry found its way to the old lady's
table. At the instigation of her father
Della had finished up an educational
course in domestic science with prac-
tlcal eXempification by Mrs. Dysart.
and the result had gratified both her
father and herself.
You have set me thinking. Mrs.
Dysart." said Della. land perhaps I
may surprise you when come back.
1t is quite fruit country where / am
going to spend my vacation, and If I
can only get cans and jars convenient
ly ! shall certainly get the people I
am going to board with to put up
some late fruits"
ut will be delightful if you do" ex-
planned Mrs. Dysart. II was so used
to having plenty of such things at the
old farm home that I miss them dread
fully"
Della had some grander ideas in
view as TO surprising the old lady than
the latter had ever dreamed of. Her
mind was full of her scheme when she
was comfortably established for four
weeks with a family named Barnett
near a little country town. There were
TWO other summer boarders she
found-a tired-old school teacher build
Ing up from overwork. Miss Winsted,
and young man, Alvin Tucker, whose
company she was glad to share, for
he was congenial and courteous, and
the first week Of her stay helped her
out OF disappointing dilemma.
The farm where Della was Shaving
had very little fruit, but over the
county line 20 miles away the district
was overstocked with plums, apples.
pears. peaches and grapes. In the
course of conversation one day Della
spoke to Tucker of her plan to pro-
vide Mrs. Dysart with winter sup
ply Of preserves and the like. Tucker
became at once interested.
Miss Morse" he said, "your an
ticipated munificence toward
worthy old lady reminds me that I
have time to spare as well as your
self. shall hire an auto tomorrow.
and we are going over to Springville
to select the receptacIes for your great
feast. The people here
will cooperate. l am sure. for few
dollars pay for what work they do.
We will just make Mrs. Dysart the
happfest old lady in the universe"
really peasurable week ensued
Tor these two ardent young souls.
Tucker was more than liberal. and
with Della made numerous trips
across the county line, when the recep-
tacles had been secured and the fruit
brought by themselves or delivered by
farmers. Della regarded the great sup
ply with a sort of dismay.
"Why. we can never fill all those
cans and jars" she declared.
"Oh. yes. we can," declared Tucker
IN his mild. but positive way. "While
we are at it we must do honor to 80
glorious an occasion to distribute hap
piness and plenty"
Alvin Tucker donned an apron when
The preserving commenced and there
.nsued happy, harmonious daily COM
Danionship. 1t was with a sense of Ia.
Dor nobly done that Della and Alvin
looked over the vast assortment that
was to be stored in the home fruit
room of Mrs. Dysart.
Then there was the packing and
rating TO do, and one day Della and
Alvin stood on the platform of way
station whence the treasured goodies ,
had Just been expressed to the city.
II am going to Your home city the
lay you do. Miss Morse. with your
permission" spoke Tucker. 81 am
linking of visiting relative there"
"You never mentioned that you had
friends there" said Della.
swell. have one, especially an old
ady. And her name is Mrs. Hannah
)ysart.'
Della stared almost unbelievingly
II the smiling Alvin, who was enjoy
ng her surprise
Il am in fact one of the nephews
If Mrs. pysart," continued Alvin. II
lid NOT speak of it to you before.
wished to secure your good will, for
liked you from the first, so Joined
n this preserving plan"
why. you should have told me"
Della.
HAS ii made any difference?'
aparhur,o In
closer to Won. somehow, being so
friendly to Mrs. Dysart."
Gould you feel closer il told you
hat ] love you7" inquired Alvin Tuck.
" tenderly.