The Penn's Grove record., 1921-10-21
THE CITY'S SOUL
BY LYDIA LION ROBERTS.

&c, 49El, Dy MCAlAGE NtHSpdp pei ~ nav
My soul, Lottie, plaintively Knocked
Frank, you're as pleasant as a btiz-
Yard. What in the world is the mat
ter with you latelyf"
Il guess it's my SOUL" Lottie re-
piled ruefully. I've lost it some
where. Since nursing the family
through the grippe I've forgotten l
ever had a soul. | think it has
drowned in the dishpan.'
Frank watched her as she nervous,
" got the children ready for school,
a worried frown between her usually
merry brown eyes.
NO, | don't want any more break
fast" Lottie said, as he waited Tor
her to sit opposite him. Il don't feel
hungry lately; l just feel cross"
Listen, dear" said Frank briskly
as he got up to get his %overcoat, I'm
gong TO give you 50 and want you
Il use it to find your soul. When
you've found it bring it home with
yea and Well try 70 make it so coli
tented it won't leave you again"
q wouldn't blame the whole family
for leaving" smiled Lottie. I'm 50
disagreeable it's u wonder anyone a
live with me, let alone a fine, laI1d
some husband like YOU" She rogulsh-
y added.
We'll, l formed the pleasant habit
years ago and I'm getting so old |
hate to change my habits declared
Frank cheerily as he hurried off to
work.
a few hours later Lottle stood gaz-
Ing at the tempting window displays.
= haven't had a thing new all win,
te.,' she told herself. i think the
shock Of seeing myself in a new waist
would make me better at once"
After her purchase she walked slow
" along the crowded streets.
Tie tapping and whirring of wings
attracted her attention and she
stopped to watch the pretty scene.
\ hoy with the look of strong, clean
youth, growing into manhood, was
standing in the middle of a path. Al
NEST m%otionless except for a slight
opening OF his hand, an absorbed
sale On his freckled face, he lured
the fat, placid pigeons close to him by
his offer of their favorite food. AS he
scattered the pea around him the
cage birds walked up his back, wad-
died around his neck, chung to his
arms and shoulders and rested on his
fingers.
"0h. 10 be an artist" sighed Lottle
In appreciation Of the beauty of the
picture. I'll carry that picture home
i'll my brain gallery to tell the chill
dren."
Almost before she realized it the
noon bells rang out.
Il have just time to step into the
cathedral for the noon service" she
planned. I've lived near the city all
my life and never been in before"
The brief sermon over, the singing
done, many people went out, but Lot
tie fingered with others. Presently
the grand tones of the organ filled
the room, and clear and sweet rose
the haunting strains of a violin.
ANY woman" said Lottie to her
self, as she quietly wiped her eyes,
who couldn't go back to work after
that, with her soul big and whole
and her heart full of love to be poured
Out on her family-well-this woman
had Just better, or she's a Stacker in
the battle Of life.
"Now for a stroll down my favorite
famous street, and then back to the
train she decided, as she left the
church.
"Of all adorable combinations Of
quaint knockers, lovely doorways, old
world windows, and the benediction
left by the spirits of the good and
great people who have lived here
Is il possible to get such an atmo-
sphere anywhere but in my own dear,
dirty, heart-Warming ethyl" exclaimed
Lottie, as her walk led her finally to
the river sparkling merrily in the sun.
Almost train time, but I've just o
few minutes to see this picture on ex-
hihition at one Of the big stores"
-Four hundred years ago this pic
ture was painted" she heard the lee
turer say, as she slipped into the hall.
That was before this country was
settled" thought Lottie. Before the
inventions and modern marvels. Yet,
l today, just n tired little house
wife, sit here and view the unfaded
richness. the glowing colors of that
picture. The artist is gone, but he
left q bit of his soul on canvas and
after 400 years it speaks to my
cramped, k~itchen-bound n and bids
IT grow.
"Oh, bless anyone who gives any
thing to the world that makes us big
ger and better, so that we can hand
on the heritage of beauty to our chill
dren! I'm going home where I be-
long, and carry on my share. I've
got the loveliest home and finest man,
- r,oet p,oy1-oh 1a obil5ran thot