The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-13

l J u1ld, ana l used to th1nk I'd do thl
 and that when the children was big l Well, some of us are lucky and some
 of us aren't-ain't that it. Ma? I wa. | talking to a priest about it once,' she | pursued, and he said, Well, Mrs. Tor. l ney, If there was no sorrow and suf
 fer1ng in the world, there wouldn' be no saints!' oh, Father I says
 there isn't much of the saint in me | But, l says, I've been a faithful wife
 and mother, if I say it; seven childrer I've raised and two I've buried; I've worked my hands to the bone,' I says and the Lord has sent me nothing 1 but trouble!''
 Ma, ain't you going to put you1 l clothes on and go to the store?" Re gina said.
 'I was going to- Mrs Torney said signing, 'tbut I think maybe now I'll | wait, and Let Geraldine go-shel have her things on.'' 1T suppose you haven't got any
 milk ?'' Mrs. Page said. T declare ] get to feeling awful1y gone about this timei'
 We haven't a drop, En-" Mrs Torney said. after Investigating 2
 small back porch. from which Julia
 got a strong whiff of wet ashes and
 decaying cabbage leaves.
 How much milk do you get regu- larly?'' Julia asked, looking worried
 "Oh, my dear" Mrs. Torney said from the sink, where she was attack ing greasy frying pan with cold
 water and a gray rag worn into holes, tyou forget we ain't rich peo- pie here. We don't have him leave milk, but if we want it we put a bot tie out on the back steps,"
 'sYou ought to have plenty of milk, Mama, taking those strong, depress- ing medicines!' Julia said.
 We'll, aint' got much appetite, Julfe," her mother answered, with that new and touching smile. ttNow last night the girls had cabbage and corn beef cooking used to be real fond of that dinner, but it almost made me sick, just smelling it! So Geraldine fried me an egg, yet that didn't taste good, either! Gettin, old and fussy, I guess!"
 Julia felt the tears press sudden ly behind her eyes as she answered the patient smile. Mama, I think you are terribly patient" said she.
 "I guess you can get used to any thing!" Emeline said.
 Regina coughed, and huddled her. self in her chair.
 ''But I thought since we had the air-tight stove put in the other room
  Julia, as Mrs. Torney shook down the cooking stove with a violence that filled the air with the acrid taste of ashes
 Well, we do som etimes. meant to clean it today and get it started again." her aunt said. ''Im sure I don't know what we're going to do for dinner, Ma,' she added. Here it is getting round to five, and Geraldine hasn't come in. don't know what on earth she does with herself-weather like this!''
 Mrs. Cox made no response; she was nodding in the twilight over the little relaxed figure of the baby; fat little white-c1ad leg rolled on her knee as she rocked. A moment later Geraldine. a heavy, highly colored girl, much what her sister Marguerite had been ten years before, burst in, l cold, wet, and tired, with a strapful of wet books which she flung on the | able.
 My lord, what do you keep this | place so dark for, Maj" said Geral- | line. Its something awful! Hello, | Tuliat' She kissed her cousin, picked | Tulia's big huff from a chair, and | pressed the soft sab1es for a moment | o her face. well, the little old dar- ing, she's alseep isn't she?" she mur- | nured over the baby. Say. Mamma" she went on more briskly, 'I've got | company coming tonight-'
 "You!" said Julia, smiling, and lay ng an affectionate hand on her young | cousins shoulder, as she stood beside Ter. 'Why. how old are you, child ?'' i
 "I'm sixteen-near1y," Geraldine | aid stout1y. Didn't you have beaus when you were sixteen?"
 "I suppose I didI" Julia admitted | milling. But you seem awfu1ly 'oung!"
 'I thought-maybe you'd go to the tore for me-" said Mrs. Torney. Ger 1dine glared at her.
 "Oh, my God! haven't the things ome?' she demanded, in shrill dis ust "I can't Mamma, I'm sopping vet, and I've got to clean the parlor. ts all over ashes, and mud. and the lord knows what!'
 Well. l couldn't get out today, hats all there is to that" Mrs. Tor icy defended herself sharply. My ,ack's been like it was on fire I've est been resting all day. And when -ou go upstairs you won't find a thing heightened, so don't get mad about hat-I haven't been able to do oAe hing! Regina's been real sick, too; he may have the beds-she was up- tairs a while
 She dfdn't!' supplied Regina her elf, speaking over her shoulder as he lighted the gas They all blinked l the harsh sudden light.
 "Oh, Lord" Geraldine was begin ing, when Julia interrupted soothing Y:
 "See here I have the car here; 'hadwick was to come back at five ct me send him for the things! What o we want?''
 Well, we don't want to keep you, ovey," her mother began. But Julia Tas already writing a list.
 Indeed I'm going to stay and have ome with you, Mrs. Page she said heerfully. Chops for the fanily- rent those quickest? And a quart of ysters for Mama, and cake and heese and jam and eggs-teli me nything you think of Aunt May. be- ause he might as we'll do it thorough v Mama and Regina are going to ave oyster soup and toast because ley are the invalidSp she aunounced