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diff --git a/37981-h/37981-h.htm b/37981-h/37981-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a6882c --- /dev/null +++ b/37981-h/37981-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2308 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of May Flowers, by Louisa May Alcott. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + font-weight: normal; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: 2em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.linenum { + position: absolute; + top: auto; + left: 4%; +} /* poetry number */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.sidenote { + width: 20%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 1em; + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; + color: black; + background: #eeeeee; + border: dashed 1px; +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {text-align: center; + font-size: small; + font-weight: bold;} + +.tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of May Flowers, by Louisa May Alcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: May Flowers + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: November 11, 2011 [EBook #37981] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAY FLOWERS *** + + + + +Produced by Fulvia Hughes, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3> + +<p>All punctuation kept as per original, including unclosed quotes.</p> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 312px;"><br /> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="312" height="472" alt="Cover" title="" /> +<br /></div> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 373px;"><br /> +<img src="images/i01.jpg" width="373" height="600" alt=""The best of all were the cosey talks we had in the twilight." + +Frontispiece." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"The best of all were the cosey talks we had in the twilight."<br /> + +<i>Frontispiece.</i></span> +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>MAY FLOWERS</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>LOUISA M. ALCOTT</h2> + +<p class="center">AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "LITTLE MEN,"<br /> +"AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," ETC.</p> + +<p class="center"><br />Illustrated</p> + +<p class="center"><br />BOSTON<br /> +LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY +</p> + +<p class="center"><br /><i>Copyright, 1887</i>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By Louisa M. Alcott</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1899</i>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By John S. P. Alcott</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><br />University Press<br /> +<span class="smcap">John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A.</span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1><br />MAY FLOWERS<br /><br /></h1> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Being</span> Boston girls, of course they got up a +club for mental improvement, and, as they were +all descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, they +called it the May Flower Club. A very good +name, and the six young girls who were members +of it made a very pretty posy when they +met together, once a week, to sew, and read +well-chosen books. At the first meeting of the +season, after being separated all summer, there +was a good deal of gossip to be attended to +before the question, "What shall we read?" +came up for serious discussion.</p> + +<p>Anna Winslow, as president, began by proposing +"Happy Dodd;" but a chorus of "I've +read it!" made her turn to her list for another +title.</p> + +<p>"'Prisoners of Poverty' is all about workingwomen, +very true and very sad; but Mamma +said it might do us good to know something of +the hard times other girls have," said Anna, +soberly; for she was a thoughtful creature, very +anxious to do her duty in all ways.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'd rather not know about sad things, since +I can't help to make them any better," answered +Ella Carver, softly patting the apple blossoms +she was embroidering on a bit of blue satin.</p> + +<p>"But we might help if we really tried, I suppose; +you know how much Happy Dodd did +when she once began, and she was only a poor +little girl without half the means of doing good +which we have," said Anna, glad to discuss the +matter, for she had a little plan in her head and +wanted to prepare a way for proposing it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm always saying that I have more +than my share of fun and comfort and pretty +things, and that I ought and will share them +with some one. But I don't do it; and now +and then, when I hear about real poverty, or +dreadful sickness, I feel <i>so</i> wicked it quite upsets +me. If I knew <i>how</i> to begin, I really +would. But dirty little children don't come +in my way, nor tipsy women to be reformed, +nor nice lame girls to sing and pray with, as it +all happens in books," cried Marion Warren, +with such a remorseful expression on her merry +round face that her mates laughed with one +accord.</p> + +<p>"I know something that I <i>could</i> do if I only +had the courage to begin it. But Papa would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +shake his head unbelievingly, and Mamma worry +about its being proper, and it would interfere +with my music, and everything nice that I +especially wanted to go to would be sure to +come on whatever day I set for my good work, +and I should get discouraged or ashamed, and +not half do it, so I don't begin, but I know I +ought." And Elizabeth Alden rolled her large +eyes from one friend to another, as if appealing +to them to goad her to this duty by counsel and +encouragement of some sort.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose it's right, but I do perfectly +hate to go poking round among poor folks, +smelling bad smells, seeing dreadful sights, +hearing woful tales, and running the risk of +catching fever, and diphtheria, and horrid +things. I don't pretend to like charity, but +say right out I'm a silly, selfish wretch, and +want to enjoy every minute, and not worry +about other people. Isn't it shameful?"</p> + +<p>Maggie Bradford looked such a sweet little +sinner as she boldly made this sad confession, +that no one could scold her, though Ida Standish, +her bosom friend, shook her head, and +Anna said, with a sigh: "I'm afraid we all +feel very much as Maggie does, though we +don't own it so honestly. Last spring, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +I was ill and thought I might die, I was so +ashamed of my idle, frivolous winter, that I +felt as if I'd give all I had to be able to live +it over and do better. Much is not expected of +a girl of eighteen, I know; but oh! there were +heaps of kind little things I <i>might</i> have done if +I hadn't thought only of myself. I resolved if +I lived I'd try at least to be less selfish, and +make some one happier for my being in the +world. I tell you, girls, it's rather solemn +when you lie expecting to die, and your sins +come up before you, even though they are very +small ones. I never shall forget it, and after +my lovely summer I mean to be a better girl, +and lead a better life if I can."</p> + +<p>Anna was so much in earnest that her words, +straight out of a very innocent and contrite +heart, touched her hearers deeply, and put them +into the right mood to embrace her proposition. +No one spoke for a moment, then Maggie said +quietly,—</p> + +<p>"I know what it is. I felt very much so +when the horses ran away, and for fifteen minutes +I sat clinging to Mamma, expecting to be +killed. Every unkind, undutiful word I'd ever +said to her came back to me, and was worse to +bear than the fear of sudden death. It scared a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +great deal of naughtiness out of me, and dear +Mamma and I have been more to each other +ever since."</p> + +<p>"Let us begin with 'The Prisoners of Poverty,' +and perhaps it will show us something to +do," said Lizzie. "But I must say I never felt +as if shop-girls needed much help; they generally +seem so contented with themselves, and so +pert or patronizing to us, that I don't pity them +a bit, though it must be a hard life."</p> + +<p>"I think we can't do <i>much</i> in that direction, +except set an example of good manners when we +go shopping. I wanted to propose that we each +choose some small charity for this winter, and +do it faithfully. That will teach us how to do +more by and by, and we can help one another +with our experiences, perhaps, or amuse with +our failures. What do you say?" asked Anna, +surveying her five friends with a persuasive +smile.</p> + +<p>"What <i>could</i> we do?"</p> + +<p>"People will call us goody-goody."</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least idea how to go to work."</p> + +<p>"Don't believe Mamma will let me."</p> + +<p>"We'd better change our names from May +Flowers to sisters of charity, and wear meek +black bonnets and flapping cloaks."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + +<p>Anna received these replies with great composure, +and waited for the meeting to come to +order, well knowing that the girls would have +their fun and outcry first, and then set to work +in good earnest.</p> + +<p>"I think it's a lovely idea, and I'll carry out +my plan. But I won't tell what it is yet; +you'd all shout, and say I couldn't do it, but +if you were trying also, that would keep me up +to the mark," said Lizzie, with a decided snap +of her scissors, as she trimmed the edges of a +plush case for her beloved music.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we all keep our attempts secret, +and not let our right hand know what the left +hand does? It's such fun to mystify people, +and then no one <i>can</i> laugh at us. If we fail, +we can say nothing; if we succeed, we can tell +of it and get our reward. I'd like that way, +and will look round at once for some especially +horrid boot-black, ungrateful old woman, or +ugly child, and devote myself to him, her, or +it with the patience of a saint," cried Maggie, +caught by the idea of doing good in secret and +being found out by accident.</p> + +<p>The other girls agreed, after some discussion, +and then Anna took the floor again.</p> + +<p>"I propose that we each work in our own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +way till next May, then, at our last meeting, +report what we have done, truly and honestly, +and plan something better for next year. Is it +a vote?"</p> + +<p>It evidently was a unanimous vote, for five +gold thimbles went up, and five blooming faces +smiled as the five girlish voices cried, "Aye!"</p> + +<p>"Very well, now let us decide what to read, +and begin at once. I think the 'Prisoners' a +good book, and we shall doubtless get some +hints from it."</p> + +<p>So they began, and for an hour one pleasant +voice after the other read aloud those sad, true +stories of workingwomen and their hard lives, +showing these gay young creatures what their +pretty clothes cost the real makers of them, +and how much injustice, suffering, and wasted +strength went into them. It was very sober +reading, but most absorbing; for the crochet +needles went slower and slower, the lace-work +lay idle, and a great tear shone like a drop of +dew on the apple blossoms as Ella listened to +"Rose's Story." They skipped the statistics, +and dipped here and there as each took her +turn; but when the two hours were over, and +it was time for the club to adjourn, all the +members were deeply interested in that pathetic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +book, and more in earnest than before; for this +glimpse into other lives showed them how much +help was needed, and made them anxious to +lend a hand.</p> + +<p>"We can't do much, being 'only girls,'" said +Anna; "but if each does one small chore somewhere +it will pave the way for better work; so +we will all try, at least, though it seems like so +many ants trying to move a mountain."</p> + +<p>"Well, ants build nests higher than a man's +head in Africa; you remember the picture of +them in our old geographies? And we can do +as much, I'm sure, if each tugs her pebble or +straw faithfully. I shall shoulder mine to-morrow +if Mamma is willing," answered Lizzie, +shutting up her work-bag as if she had her +resolution inside and was afraid it might evaporate +before she got home.</p> + +<p>"I shall stand on the Common, and proclaim +aloud, 'Here's a nice young missionary, in want +of a job! Charity for sale cheap! Who'll buy? +who'll buy?'" said Maggie, with a resigned +expression, and a sanctimonious twang to her +voice.</p> + +<p>"I shall wait and see what comes to me, since +I don't know what I'm fit for;" and Marion +gazed out of the window as if expecting to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +see some interesting pauper waiting for her to +appear.</p> + +<p>"I shall ask Miss Bliss for advice; she knows +all about the poor, and will give me a good +start," added prudent Ida, who resolved to do +nothing rashly lest she should fail.</p> + +<p>"I shall probably have a class of dirty little +girls, and teach them how to sew, as I can't do +anything else. They won't learn much, but +steal, and break, and mess, and be a dreadful +trial, and I shall get laughed at and wish I +hadn't done it. Still I shall try it, and sacrifice +my fancy-work to the cause of virtue," said +Ella, carefully putting away her satin glove-case +with a fond glance at the delicate flowers she so +loved to embroider.</p> + +<p>"I have no plans, but want to do so much I +shall have to wait till I discover what is best. +After to-day we won't speak of our work, or it +won't be a secret any longer. In May we will +report. Good luck to all, and good-by till next +Saturday."</p> + +<p>With these farewell words from their president +the girls departed, with great plans and +new ideas simmering in their young heads and +hearts.</p> + +<p>It seemed a vast undertaking; but where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +there is a will there is always a way, and soon +it was evident that each had found "a little +chore" to do for sweet charity's sake. Not a +word was said at the weekly meetings, but the +artless faces betrayed all shades of hope, discouragement, +pride, and doubt, as their various +attempts seemed likely to succeed or fail. Much +curiosity was felt, and a few accidental words, +hints, or meetings in queer places, were very +exciting, though nothing was discovered.</p> + +<p>Marion was often seen in a North End car, +and Lizzie in a South End car, with a bag of +books and papers. Ella haunted a certain shop +where fancy articles were sold, and Ida always +brought plain sewing to the club. Maggie +seemed very busy at home, and Anna was found +writing industriously several times when one of +her friends called. All seemed very happy, +and rather important when outsiders questioned +them about their affairs. But they had their +pleasures as usual, and seemed to enjoy them +with an added relish, as if they realized as never +before how many blessings they possessed, and +were grateful for them.</p> + +<p>So the winter passed, and slowly something +new and pleasant seemed to come into the lives +of these young girls. The listless, discontented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +look some of them used to wear passed away; a +sweet earnestness and a cheerful activity made +them charming, though they did not know it, +and wondered when people said, "That set of +girls are growing up beautifully; they will make +fine women by and by." The mayflowers were +budding under the snow, and as spring came on +the fresh perfume began to steal out, the rosy +faces to brighten, and the last year's dead leaves +to fall away, leaving the young plants green and +strong.</p> + +<p>On the 15th of May the club met for the last +time that year, as some left town early, and +all were full of spring work and summer plans. +Every member was in her place at an unusually +early hour that day, and each wore an air of +mingled anxiety, expectation, and satisfaction, +pleasant to behold. Anna called them to order +with three raps of her thimble and a beaming +smile.</p> + +<p>"We need not choose a book for our reading +to-day, as each of us is to contribute an original +history of her winter's work. I know it will be +very interesting, and I hope more instructive, +than some of the novels we have read. Who +shall begin?"</p> + +<p>"You! you!" was the unanimous answer;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +for all loved and respected her very much, and +felt that their presiding officer should open the +ball.</p> + +<p>Anna colored modestly, but surprised her +friends by the composure with which she related +her little story, quite as if used to public +speaking.</p> + +<p>"You know I told you last November that I +should have to look about for something that I +<i>could</i> do. I did look a long time, and was +rather in despair, when my task came to me in +the most unexpected way. Our winter work +was being done, so I had a good deal of shopping +on my hands, and found it less a bore than +usual, because I liked to watch the shop girls, +and wish I dared ask some of them if I could +help them. I went often to get trimmings and +buttons at Cotton's, and had a good deal to do +with the two girls at that counter. They were +very obliging and patient about matching some +jet ornaments for Mamma, and I found out that +their names were Mary and Maria Porter. I +liked them, for they were very neat and plain +in their dress,—not like some, who seem to +think that if their waists are small, and their +hair dressed in the fashion, it is no matter how +soiled their collars are, nor how untidy their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +nails. Well, one day when I went for certain +kinds of buttons which were to be made for us, +Maria, the younger one, who took the order, +was not there. I asked for her, and Mary said +she was at home with a lame knee. I was so +sorry, and ventured to put a few questions in a +friendly way. Mary seemed glad to tell her +troubles, and I found that 'Ria,' as she called +her sister, had been suffering for a long time, +but did not complain for fear of losing her +place. No stools are allowed at Cotton's, so +the poor girls stand nearly all day, or rest a +minute now and then on a half-opened drawer. +I'd seen Maria doing it, and wondered why +some one did not make a stir about seats in +this place, as they have in other stores and got +stools for the shop women. I didn't dare to +speak to the gentlemen, but I gave Mary the +Jack roses I wore in my breast, and asked if I +might take some books or flowers to poor Maria. +It was lovely to see her sad face light up and +hear her thank me when I went to see her, for +she was very lonely without her sister, and discouraged +about her place. She did not lose it +entirely, but had to work at home, for her lame +knee will be a long time in getting well. I +begged Mamma and Mrs. Allingham to speak<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +to Mr. Cotton for her; so she got the mending +of the jet and bead work to do, and buttons to +cover, and things of that sort. Mary takes +them to and fro, and Maria feels so happy not +to be idle. We also got stools for all the other +girls in that shop. Mrs. Allingham is so rich +and kind she can do anything, and now it's +such a comfort to see those tired things resting +when off duty that I often go in and enjoy the +sight."</p> + +<p>Anna paused as cries of "Good! good!" interrupted +her tale; but she did not add the +prettiest part of it, and tell how the faces of +the young women behind the counters brightened +when she came in, nor how gladly all +served the young lady who showed them what +a true gentlewoman was.</p> + +<p>"I hope that isn't all?" said Maggie, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Only a little more. I know you will laugh +when I tell you that I've been reading papers +to a class of shop girls at the Union once a +week all winter."</p> + +<p>A murmur of awe and admiration greeted this +deeply interesting statement; for, true to the +traditions of the modern Athens in which they +lived, the girls all felt the highest respect for +"papers" on any subject, it being the fashion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +for ladies, old and young, to read and discuss +every subject, from pottery to Pantheism, at +the various clubs all over the city.</p> + +<p>"It came about very naturally," continued +Anna, as if anxious to explain her seeming +audacity. "I used to go to see Molly and Ria, +and heard all about their life and its few pleasures, +and learned to like them more and more. +They had only each other in the world, lived +in two rooms, worked all day, and in the way +of amusement or instruction had only what they +found at the Union in the evening. I went +with them a few times, and saw how useful and +pleasant it was, and wanted to help, as other +kind girls only a little older than I did. Eva +Randal read a letter from a friend in Russia one +time, and the girls enjoyed it very much. That +reminded me of my brother George's lively +journals, written when he was abroad. You +remember how we used to laugh over them +when he sent them home? Well, when I was +begged to give them an evening, I resolved to +try one of those amusing journal-letters, and +chose the best,—all about how George and a +friend went to the different places Dickens +describes in some of his funny books. I wish +you could have seen how those dear girls en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>joyed +it, and laughed till they cried over the +dismay of the boys, when they knocked at a +door in Kingsgate Street, and asked if Mrs. +Gamp lived there. It was actually a barber's +shop, and a little man, very like Poll Sweedlepipes, +told them 'Mrs. Britton was the nuss as +lived there now.' It upset those rascals to come +so near the truth, and they ran away because +they couldn't keep sober."</p> + +<p>The members of the club indulged in a general +smile as they recalled the immortal Sairey +with "the bottle on the mankle-shelf," the +"cowcumber," and the wooden pippins. Then +Anna continued, with an air of calm satisfaction, +quite sure now of her audience and +herself,—</p> + +<p>"It was a great success. So I went on, and +when the journals were done, I used to read +other things, and picked up books for their +library, and helped in any way I could, while +learning to know them better and give them +confidence in me. They are proud and shy, +just as we should be, but if you <i>really</i> want to +be friends and don't mind rebuffs now and then, +they come to trust and like you, and there is so +much to do for them one never need sit idle any +more. I won't give names, as they don't like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +it, nor tell how I tried to serve them, but it is +very sweet and good for me to have found this +work, and to know that each year I can do it +better and better. So I feel encouraged and am +very glad I began, as I hope you all are. Now, +who comes next?"</p> + +<p>As Anna ended, the needles dropped and ten +soft hands gave her a hearty round of applause; +for all felt that she had done well, and chosen a +task especially fitted to her powers, as she had +money, time, tact, and the winning manners +that make friends everywhere.</p> + +<p>Beaming with pleasure at their approval, but +feeling that they made too much of her small +success, Anna called the club to order by saying, +"Ella looks as if she were anxious to tell +her experiences, so perhaps we had better ask +her to hold forth next."</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear!" cried the girls; and, nothing +loath, Ella promptly began, with twinkling +eyes and a demure smile, for <i>her</i> story ended +romantically.</p> + +<p>"If you are interested in shop girls, Miss +President and ladies, you will like to know +that <i>I</i> am one, at least a silent partner and +co-worker in a small fancy store at the West +End."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No!" exclaimed the amazed club with one +voice; and, satisfied with this sensational beginning, +Ella went on.</p> + +<p>"I really am, and you have bought some of +my fancy-work. Isn't that a good joke? You +needn't stare so, for I actually made that +needle-book, Anna, and my partner knit Lizzie's +new cloud. This is the way it all happened. +I didn't wish to waste any time, but +one can't rush into the street and collar shabby +little girls, and say, 'Come along and learn to +sew,' without a struggle, so I thought I'd go +and ask Mrs. Brown how to begin. Her branch +of the Associated Charities is in Laurel Street, +not far from our house, you know; and the very +day after our last meeting I posted off to get my +'chore.' I expected to have to fit work for poor +needlewomen, or go to see some dreadful sick +creature, or wash dirty little Pats, and was +bracing up my mind for whatever might come, +as I toiled up the hill in a gale of wind. Suddenly +my hat flew off and went gayly skipping +away, to the great delight of some black imps, +who only grinned and cheered me on as I trotted +after it with wild grabs and wrathful dodges. I +got it at last out of a puddle, and there I was in +a nice mess. The elastic was broken, feather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +wet, and the poor thing all mud and dirt. I +didn't care much, as it was my old one,—dressed +for my work, you see. But I couldn't +go home bareheaded, and I didn't know a soul +in that neighborhood. I turned to step into a +grocery store at the corner, to borrow a brush, +or buy a sheet of paper to wear, for I looked +like a lunatic with my battered hat and my hair +in a perfect mop. Luckily I spied a woman's +fancy shop on the other corner, and rushed in +there to hide myself, for the brats hooted and +people stared. It was a very small shop, and +behind the counter sat a tall, thin, washed-out-looking +woman, making a baby's hood. She +looked poor and blue and rather sour, but took +pity on me; and while she sewed the cord, dried +the feather, and brushed off the dirt, I warmed +myself and looked about to see what I could +buy in return for her trouble.</p> + +<p>"A few children's aprons hung in the little +window, with some knit lace, balls, and old-fashioned +garters, two or three dolls, and a very +poor display of small wares. In a show-case, +however, on the table that was the counter, I +found some really pretty things, made of plush, +silk, and ribbon, with a good deal of taste. So +I said I'd buy a needle-book, and a gay ball,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +and a pair of distracting baby's shoes, made to +look like little open-work socks with pink +ankle-ties, so cunning and dainty, I was glad +to get them for Cousin Clara's baby. The +woman seemed pleased, though she had a grim +way of talking, and never smiled once. I observed +that she handled my hat as if used to +such work, and evidently liked to do it. I +thanked her for repairing damages so quickly +and well, and she said, with my hat on her +hand, as if she hated to part with it, 'I'm +used to millinaryin' and never should have +give it up, if I didn't have my folks to see +to. I took this shop, hopin' to make things +go, as such a place was needed round here, +but mother broke down, and is a sight of +care; so I couldn't leave her, and doctors +is expensive, and times hard, and I had to +drop my trade, and fall back on pins and needles, +and so on.'"</p> + +<p>Ella was a capital mimic, and imitated the +nasal tones of the Vermont woman to the life, +with a doleful pucker of her own blooming +face, which gave such a truthful picture of +poor Miss Almira Miller that those who had +seen her recognized it at once, and laughed +gayly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Just as I was murmuring a few words of +regret at her bad luck," continued Ella, "a +sharp voice called out from a back room, 'Almiry! +Almiry! come here.' It sounded very +like a cross parrot, but it was the old lady, +and while I put on my hat I heard her asking +who was in the shop, and what we were 'gabbin' +about.' Her daughter told her, and the +old soul demanded to 'see the gal;' so I went +in, being ready for fun as usual. It was a little, +dark, dismal place, but as neat as a pin, and in +the bed sat a regular Grandma Smallweed smoking +a pipe, with a big cap, a snuff-box, and a +red cotton handkerchief. She was a tiny, +dried-up thing, brown as a berry, with eyes +like black beads, a nose and chin that nearly +met, and hands like birds' claws. But such a +fierce, lively, curious, blunt old lady you never +saw, and I didn't know what would be the end +of me when she began to question, then to scold, +and finally to demand that 'folks should come +and trade to Almiry's shop after promisin' they +would, and she havin' took a lease of the place +on account of them lies.' I wanted to laugh, +but dared not do it, so just let her croak, for +the daughter had to go to her customers. The +old lady's tirade informed me that they came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +from Vermont, had 'been wal on 't till father +died and the farm was sold.' Then it seems +the women came to Boston and got on pretty +well till 'a stroke of numb-palsy,' whatever that +is, made the mother helpless and kept Almiry +at home to care for her. I can't tell you how +funny and yet how sad it was to see the poor +old soul, so full of energy and yet so helpless, +and the daughter so discouraged with her pathetic +little shop and no customers to speak of. +I did not know what to say till 'Grammer +Miller,' as the children call her, happened to +say, when she took up her knitting after the +lecture, 'If folks who go spendin' money reckless +on redic'lous toys for Christmas only knew +what nice things, useful and fancy, me and +Almiry could make ef we had the goods, they'd +jest come round this corner and buy 'em, and +keep me out of a Old Woman's Home and that +good, hard-workin' gal of mine out of a 'sylum; +for go there she will ef she don't get a boost +somehow, with rent and firin' and vittles all on +her shoulders, and me only able to wag them +knittin'-needles.'</p> + +<p>"'I will buy things here and tell all my +friends about it, and I have a drawer full of +pretty bits of silk and velvet and plush, that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +will give Miss Miller for her work, if she will +let me.' I added that, for I saw that Almiry +was rather proud, and hid her troubles under a +grim look.</p> + +<p>"That pleased the old lady, and, lowering her +voice, she said, with a motherly sort of look in +her beady eyes: 'Seein' as you are so friendly, +I'll tell you what frets me most, a layin' here, +a burden to my darter. She kep' company with +Nathan Baxter, a master carpenter up to Westminster +where we lived, and ef father hadn't +a died suddin' they'd a ben married. They +waited a number o' years, workin' to their +trades, and we was hopin' all would turn out +wal, when troubles come, and here we be. +Nathan's got his own folks to see to, and +Almiry won't add to <i>his</i> load with hern, nor +leave me; so she give him back his ring, and +jest buckled to all alone. She don't say a word, +but it's wearin' her to a shadder, and I can't +do a thing to help, but make a few pin-balls, +knit garters, and kiver holders. Ef she got a +start in business it would cheer her up a sight, +and give her a kind of a hopeful prospeck, for +old folks can't live forever, and Nathan is a +waitin', faithful and true.'</p> + +<p>"That just finished me, for I am romantic,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +and do enjoy love stories with all my heart, +even if the lovers are only a skinny spinster +and a master carpenter. So I just resolved to +see what I could do for poor Almiry and the +peppery old lady. I didn't promise anything +but my bits, and, taking the things I bought, +went home to talk it over with Mamma. I +found she had often got pins and tape, and such +small wares, at the little shop, and found it very +convenient, though she knew nothing about the +Millers. She was willing I should help if I +could, but advised going slowly, and seeing +what they could do first. We did not dare to +treat them like beggars, and send them money +and clothes, and tea and sugar, as we do the +Irish, for they were evidently respectable people, +and proud as poor. So I took my bundle of +odds and ends, and Mamma added some nice +large pieces of dresses we had done with, and +gave a fine order for aprons and holders and +balls for our church fair.</p> + +<p>"It would have done your hearts good, girls, +to see those poor old faces light up as I showed +my scraps, and asked if the work would be ready +by Christmas. Grammer fairly swam in the +gay colors I strewed over her bed, and enjoyed +them like a child, while Almiry tried to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +grim, but had to give it up, as she began at +once to cut aprons, and dropped tears all over +the muslin when her back was turned to me. I +didn't know a washed-out old maid <i>could</i> be so +pathetic."</p> + +<p>Ella stopped to give a regretful sigh over her +past blindness, while her hearers made a sympathetic +murmur; for young hearts are very +tender, and take an innocent interest in lovers' +sorrows, no matter how humble.</p> + +<p>"Well, that was the beginning of it. I got +so absorbed in <i>making</i> things go well that I +didn't look any further, but just 'buckled to' +with Miss Miller and helped run that little +shop. No one knew me in that street, so I +slipped in and out, and did what I liked. The +old lady and I got to be great friends; though +she often pecked and croaked like a cross raven, +and was very wearing. I kept her busy with +her 'pin-balls and knittin'-work,' and supplied +Almiry with pretty materials for the various +things I found she could make. You wouldn't +believe what dainty bows those long fingers +could tie, what ravishing doll's hats she would +make out of a scrap of silk and lace, or the +ingenious things she concocted with cones and +shells and fans and baskets. I love such work,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +and used to go and help her often, for I wanted +her window and shop to be full for Christmas, +and lure in plenty of customers. Our new toys, +and the little cases of sewing silk sold well, and +people began to come more, after I lent Almiry +some money to lay in a stock of better goods. +Papa enjoyed my business venture immensely, +and was never tired of joking about it. He +actually went and bought balls for four small +black boys who were gluing their noses to the +window one day, spellbound by the orange, red, +and blue treasures displayed there. He liked +my partner's looks, though he teased me by +saying that we'd better add lemonade to our +stock as poor dear Almiry's acid face would +make lemons unnecessary and sugar and water +were cheap.</p> + +<p>"Well, Christmas came, and we did a great +business, for Mamma came and sent others, and +our fancy things were as pretty and cheaper +than those at the art stores, so they went well, +and the Millers were cheered up, and I felt encouraged, +and we took a fresh start after the +holidays. One of my gifts at New Year was +my own glove-case,—you remember the apple-blossom +thing I began last autumn? I put it in +our window to fill up, and Mamma bought it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +and gave it to me full of elegant gloves, with a +sweet note, and Papa sent a check to 'Miller, +Warren, & Co.' I was so pleased and proud I +could hardly help telling you all. But the best +joke was the day you girls came in and bought +our goods, and I peeped at you through the +crack of the door, being in the back room dying +with laughter to see you look round, and +praise our 'nice assortment of useful and pretty +articles.'"</p> + +<p>"That's all very well, and we can bear to +be laughed at if you succeeded, Miss. But +I don't believe you did, for no Millers are +there now. Have you taken a palatial store +on Boylston Street for this year, intending +to run it alone? We'll all patronize it, and +your name will look well on a sign," said +Maggie, wondering what the end of Ella's +experience had been.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I still have the best of it, for my +romance finished up delightfully, as you shall +hear. We did well all winter, and no wonder. +What was needed was a little 'boost' in the +right direction, and I could give it; so my +Millers were much comforted, and we were +good friends. But in March Grammer died +suddenly, and poor Almiry mourned as if she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +had been the sweetest mother in the world. +The old lady's last wishes were to be 'laid out +harnsome in a cap with a pale blue satin ribbin, +white wasn't becomin', to hev at least three +carriages to the funeral, and be sure a paper +with her death in it was sent to N. Baxter, +Westminster, Vermont.'</p> + +<p>"I faithfully obeyed her commands, put on +the ugly cap myself, gave a party of old ladies +from the Home a drive in the hacks, and carefully +directed a marked paper to Nathan, hoping +that he <i>had</i> proved 'faithful and true.' I +didn't expect he would, so was not surprised +when no answer came. But I <i>was</i> rather amazed +when Almiry told me she didn't care to keep +on with the store now she was free. She wanted +to visit her friends a spell this spring, and in +the fall would go back to her trade in some +milliner's store.</p> + +<p>"I was sorry, for I really enjoyed my partnership. +It seemed a little bit ungrateful after +all my trouble in getting her customers, but I +didn't say anything, and we sold out to the +Widow Bates, who is a good soul with six children, +and will profit by our efforts.</p> + +<p>"Almiry bid me good-by with all the grim +look gone out of her face, many thanks, and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +hearty promise to write soon. That was in April. +A week ago I got a short letter saying,—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"'<span class="smcap">Dear Friend</span>,—You will be pleased to hear +that I am married to Mr. Baxter, and shall remain +here. He was away when the paper came with +mother's death, but as soon as he got home he +wrote. I couldn't make up my mind till I got +home and see him. Now it's all right, and I am +very happy. Many thanks for all you done for +me and mother. I shall never forget it. My +husband sends respects, and I remain</p> + +<p class="right"> +"'Yours gratefully,<br /> +"'<span class="smcap">Almira M. Baxter</span>.'" +</p></blockquote> + +<p>"That's splendid! You did well, and next +winter you can look up another sour spinster +and cranky old lady and make them happy," +said Anna, with the approving smile all loved +to receive from her.</p> + +<p>"My adventures are not a bit romantic, or +even interesting, and yet I've been as busy as +a bee all winter, and enjoyed my work very +much," began Elizabeth, as the President gave +her a nod.</p> + +<p>"The plan I had in mind was to go and carry +books and papers to the people in hospitals, as +one of Mamma's friends has done for years. I +went once to the City Hospital with her, and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +was very interesting, but I didn't dare to go to +the grown people all alone, so I went to the +Children's Hospital, and soon loved to help +amuse the poor little dears. I saved all the +picture-books and papers I could find for them, +dressed dolls, and mended toys, and got new +ones, and made bibs and night-gowns, and felt +like the mother of a large family.</p> + +<p>"I had my pets, of course, and did my best +for them, reading and singing and amusing +them, for many suffered very much. One little +girl was so dreadfully burned she could not use +her hands, and would lie and look at a gay dolly +tied to the bedpost by the hour together, and +talk to it and love it, and died with it on her +pillow when I 'sung lullaby' to her for the last +time. I keep it among my treasures, for I +learned a lesson in patience from little Norah +that I never can forget.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 367px;"> +<img src="images/i02.jpg" width="367" height="600" alt=""I had my pets of course, and did my best for them."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"I had my pets of course, and did my best for them."</span> +</div> + +<p>"Then Jimmy Dolan with hip disease was a +great delight to me, for he was as gay as a lark +in spite of pain, and a real little hero in the way +he bore the hard things that had to be done to +him. He never can get well, and he is at home +now; but I still see to him, and he is learning +to make toy furniture very nicely, so that by +and by, if he gets able to work at all, he may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +be able to learn a cabinet-maker's trade, or +some easy work.</p> + +<p>"But my pet of pets was Johnny, the blind +boy. His poor eyes had to be taken out, and +there he was left so helpless and pathetic, all +his life before him, and no one to help him, for +his people were poor, and he had to go away +from the hospital since he was incurable. He +seemed almost given to me, for the first time I +saw him I was singing to Jimmy, when the door +opened and a small boy came fumbling in.</p> + +<p>"'I hear a pretty voice, I want to find it,' he +said, stopping as I stopped with both hands out +as if begging for more.</p> + +<p>"'Come on, Johnny, and the lady will sing +to you like a bobolink,' called Jimmy, as proud +as Barnum showing off Jumbo.</p> + +<p>"The poor little thing came and stood at my +knee, without stirring, while I sang all the +nursery jingles I knew. Then he put such a +thin little finger on my lips as if to feel where +the music came from, and said, smiling all over +his white face, 'More, please more, lots of 'em! +I love it!'</p> + +<p>"So I sang away till I was as hoarse as a +crow, and Johnny drank it all in like water; +kept time with his head, stamped when I gave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +him 'Marching through Georgia,' and hurrahed +feebly in the chorus of 'Red, White, and Blue.' +It was lovely to see how he enjoyed it, and I +was so glad I had a voice to comfort those poor +babies with. He cried when I had to go, and +so touched my heart that I asked all about him, +and resolved to get him into the Blind School +as the only place where he could be taught and +made happy."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were bound there the day I +met you, Lizzie; but you looked as solemn as +if all your friends had lost their sight," cried +Marion.</p> + +<p>"I did feel solemn, for if Johnny could not +go there he would be badly off. Fortunately +he was ten, and dear Mrs. Russell helped me, +and those good people took him in though they +were crowded. 'We cannot turn one away,' +said kind Mr. Parpatharges.</p> + +<p>"So there my boy is, as happy as a king with +his little mates, learning all sorts of useful lessons +and pretty plays. He models nicely in +clay. Here is one of his little works. Could +you do as well without eyes?" and Lizzie +proudly produced a very one-sided pear with a +long straw for a stem. "I don't expect he will +ever be a sculptor, but I hope he will do some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>thing +with music, he loves it so, and is already +piping away on a fife very cleverly. Whatever +his gift may prove, if he lives, he will be taught +to be a useful, independent man, not a helpless +burden, nor an unhappy creature sitting alone +in the dark. I feel very happy about my lads, +and am surprised to find how well I get on with +them. I shall look up some more next year, +for I really think I have quite a gift that way, +though you wouldn't expect it, as I have no +brothers, and always had a fancy boys were +little imps."</p> + +<p>The girls were much amused at Lizzie's discovery +of her own powers, for she was a stately +damsel, who never indulged in romps, but lived +for her music. Now it was evident that she +had found the key to unlock childish hearts, +and was learning to use it, quite unconscious +that the sweet voice she valued so highly was +much improved by the tender tones singing lullabies +gave it. The fat pear was passed round +like refreshments, receiving much praise and no +harsh criticism; and when it was safely returned +to its proud possessor, Ida began her tale in a +lively tone.</p> + +<p>"I waited for <i>my</i> chore, and it came tumbling +down our basement steps one rainy day in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +shape of a large dilapidated umbrella with a +pair of small boots below it. A mild howl +made me run to open the door, for I was at +lunch in the dining-room, all alone, and rather +blue because I couldn't go over to see Ella. A +very small girl lay with her head in a puddle at +the foot of the steps, the boots waving in the +air, and the umbrella brooding over her like a +draggled green bird.</p> + +<p>"'Are you hurt, child?' said I.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 367px;"> +<img src="images/i03.jpg" width="367" height="600" alt=""'Are you hurt, child?' said I."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"'Are you hurt, child?' said I."</span> +</div> + +<p>"'No, I thank you, ma'am,' said the mite +quite calmly, as she sat up and settled a +woman's shabby black hat on her head.</p> + +<p>"'Did you come begging?' I asked.</p> + +<p>"'No, ma'am, I came for some things Mrs. +Grover's got for us. She told me to. I don't +beg.' And up rose the sopping thing with +great dignity.</p> + +<p>"So I asked her to sit down, and ran up to +call Mrs. Grover. She was busy with Grandpa +just then, and when I went back to my lunch +there sat my lady with her arms folded, water +dripping out of the toes of her old boots as +they hung down from the high chair, and the +biggest blue eyes I ever saw fixed upon the +cake and oranges on the table. I gave her +a piece, and she sighed with rapture, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +only picked at it till I asked if she didn't +like it.</p> + +<p>"'Oh yes, 'm, it's elegant! Only I was +wishin' I could take it to Caddy and Tot, if +you didn't mind. They never had frostin' in +all their lives, and I did once.'</p> + +<p>"Of course I put up a little basket of cake +and oranges and figs, and while Lotty feasted, +we talked. I found that their mother washed +dishes all day in a restaurant over by the Albany +Station, leaving the three children alone in the +room they have on Berry Street. Think of that +poor thing going off before light these winter +mornings to stand over horrid dishes all day +long, and those three scraps of children alone +till night! Sometimes they had a fire, and +when they hadn't they stayed in bed. Broken +food and four dollars a week was all the woman +got, and on that they tried to live. Good Mrs. +Grover happened to be nursing a poor soul near +Berry Street last summer, and used to see the +three little things trailing round the streets with +no one to look after them.</p> + +<p>"Lotty is nine, though she looks about six, +but is as old as most girls of fourteen, and +takes good care of 'the babies,' as she calls the +younger ones. Mrs. Grover went to see them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +and, though a hard-working creature, did all +she could for them. This winter she has plenty +of time to sew, for Grandpa needs little done +for him except at night and morning, and that +kind woman spent her own money, and got +warm flannel and cotton and stuff, and made +each child a good suit. Lotty had come for +hers, and when the bundle was in her arms she +hugged it close, and put up her little face to +kiss Grover so prettily, I felt that I wanted to +do something too. So I hunted up Min's old +waterproof and rubbers, and a hood, and sent +Lotty home as happy as a queen, promising to +go and see her. I did go, and there was my +work all ready for me. Oh, girls! such a bare, +cold room, without a spark of fire, and no food +but a pan of bits of pie and bread and meat, +not fit for any one to eat, and in the bed, with +an old carpet for cover, lay the three children. +Tot and Caddy cuddled in the warmest place, +while Lotty, with her little blue hands, was +trying to patch up some old stockings with bits +of cotton. I didn't know <i>how</i> to begin, but +Lotty did, and I just took her orders; for that +wise little woman told me where to buy a bushel +of coal and some kindlings, and milk and meal, +and all I wanted. I worked like a beaver for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +an hour or two, and was so glad I'd been to a +cooking-class, for I could make a fire, with +Lotty to do the grubby part, and start a nice +soup with the cold meat and potatoes, and an +onion or so. Soon the room was warm, and full +of a nice smell, and out of bed tumbled 'the +babies,' to dance round the stove and sniff at +the soup, and drink milk like hungry kittens, +till I could get bread and butter ready.</p> + +<p>"It was great fun! and when we had cleared +things up a bit, and I'd put food for supper in +the closet, and told Lotty to warm a bowl of +soup for her mother and keep the fire going, I +went home tired and dirty, but very glad I'd +found something to do. It is perfectly amazing +how little poor people's things cost, and yet they +can't get the small amount of money needed +without working themselves to death. Why, +all I bought didn't cost more than I often +spend for flowers, or theatre tickets, or lunches, +and it made those poor babies so comfortable +I could have cried to think I'd never done it +before."</p> + +<p>Ida paused to shake her head remorsefully, +then went on with her story, sewing busily all +the while on an unbleached cotton night-gown +which looked about fit for a large doll.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have no romantic things to tell, for poor +Mrs. Kennedy was a shiftless, broken-down +woman, who could only 'sozzle round,' as Mrs. +Grover said, and rub along with help from any +one who would lend a hand. She had lived +out, married young, and had no faculty about +anything; so when her husband died, and she +was left with three little children, it was hard +to get on, with no trade, feeble health, and a +discouraged mind. She does her best, loves the +girls, and works hard at the only thing she can +find to do; but when she gives out, they will +all have to part,—she to a hospital, and the +babies to some home. She dreads that, and +tugs away, trying to keep together and get +ahead. Thanks to Mrs. Grover, who is very +sensible, and knows how to help poor people, +we have made things comfortable, and the winter +has gone nicely.</p> + +<p>"The mother has got work nearer home, +Lotty and Caddy go to school, and Tot is safe +and warm, with Miss Parsons to look after her. +Miss Parsons is a young woman who was freezing +and starving in a little room upstairs, too +proud to beg and too shy and sick to get much +work. I found her warming her hands one day +in Mrs. Kennedy's room, and hanging over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +soup-pot as if she was eating the smell. It reminded +me of the picture in Punch where the +two beggar boys look in at a kitchen, sniffing +at the nice dinner cooking there. One says, 'I +don't care for the meat, Bill, but I don't mind +if I takes a smell at the pudd'n' when it's +dished.' I proposed a lunch at once, and we +all sat down, and ate soup out of yellow bowls +with pewter spoons with such a relish it was +fun to see. I had on my old rig; so poor Parsons +thought I was some dressmaker or work-girl, +and opened her heart to me as she never +would have done if I'd gone and demanded her +confidence, and patronized her, as some people +do when they want to help. I promised her +some work, and proposed that she should do it +in Mrs. K.'s room, as a favor, mind you, so +that the older girls could go to school and Tot +have some one to look after her. She agreed, +and that saved her fire, and made the K.'s all +right. Sarah (that's Miss P.) tried to stiffen +up when she learned where I lived; but she +wanted the work, and soon found I didn't put +on airs, but lent her books, and brought her and +Tot my bouquets and favors after a german, and +told her pleasant things as she sat cooking her +poor chilblainy feet in the oven, as if she never +could get thawed out.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This summer the whole batch are to go to +Uncle Frank's farm and pick berries, and get +strong. He hires dozens of women and children +during the fruit season, and Mrs. Grover +said it was just what they all needed. So off +they go in June, as merry as grigs, and I shall +be able to look after them now and then, as I +always go to the farm in July. That's all,—not +a bit interesting, but it came to me, and I +did it, though only small chore."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure the helping of five poor souls is a +fine work, and you may well be proud of it, +Ida. Now I know why you wouldn't go to +matinées with me, and buy every pretty thing +we saw as you used to. The pocket money +went for coal and food, and your fancy-work +was little clothes for these live dolls of yours. +You dear thing! how good you were to cook, +and grub, and prick your fingers rough, and +give up fun, for this kind work!"</p> + +<p>Maggie's hearty kiss, and the faces of her +friends, made Ida feel that her humble task had +its worth in their eyes, as well as in her own; +and when the others had expressed their interest +in her work, all composed themselves to +hear what Marion had to tell.</p> + +<p>"I have been taking care of a scarlet runner,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>—a +poor old frost-bitten, neglected thing; it +is transplanted now, and doing well, I'm happy +to say."</p> + +<p>"What <i>do</i> you mean?" asked Ella, while the +rest looked very curious.</p> + +<p>Marion picked up a dropped stitch in the +large blue sock she was knitting, and continued, +with a laugh in her eyes: "My dears, that is +what we call the Soldiers' Messenger Corps, +with their red caps and busy legs trotting all +day. I've had one of them to care for, and a +gorgeous time of it, I do assure you. But before +I exult over my success, I must honestly +confess my failures, for they were sad ones. I +was so anxious to begin my work at once, that +I did go out and collar the first pauper I saw. +It was an old man, who sometimes stands at the +corners of streets to sell bunches of ugly paper +flowers. You've seen him, I dare say, and his +magenta daisies and yellow peonies. Well, he +was rather a forlorn object, with his poor old +red nose, and bleary eyes, and white hair, standing +at the windy corners silently holding out +those horrid flowers. I bought all he had that +day, and gave them to some colored children +on my way home, and told him to come to our +house and get an old coat Mamma was waiting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +to get rid of. He told a pitiful story of himself +and his old wife, who made the paper horrors +in her bed, and how they needed everything, +but didn't wish to beg. I was much touched, +and flew home to look up the coat and some +shoes, and when my old Lear came creeping in +the back way, I ordered cook to give him a +warm dinner and something nice for the old +woman.</p> + +<p>"I was called upstairs while he was mumbling +his food, and blessing me in the most lovely +manner; and he went away much comforted, I +flattered myself. But an hour later, up came +the cook in a great panic to report that my +venerable and pious beggar had carried off several +of Papa's shirts and pairs of socks out of +the clothes-basket in the laundry, and the nice +warm hood we keep for the girl to hang out +clothes in.</p> + +<p>"I was <i>very</i> angry, and, taking Harry with +me, went at once to the address the old rascal +gave me, a dirty court out of Hanover Street. +No such person had ever lived there, and my +white-haired saint was a humbug. Harry +laughed at me, and Mamma forbade me to +bring any more thieves to the house, and the +girls scolded awfully.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I recovered from the shock, and, +nothing daunted, went off to the little Irishwoman +who sells apples on the Common,—not +the fat, cosey one with the stall near West +Street, but the dried-up one who sits by the +path, nodding over an old basket with six apples +and four sticks of candy in it. No one ever +seems to buy anything, but she sits there and +trusts to kind souls dropping a dime now and +then, she looks so feeble and forlorn, 'on the +cold, cold ground.'</p> + +<p>"She told me another sad tale of being all +alone and unable to work, and 'as wake as +wather-grewl, without a hap-worth av flesh upon +me bones, and for the love of Heaven gimme a +thrifle to kape the breath av loife in a poor soul, +with a bitter hard winter over me, and niver a +chick or child to do a hand's turn.' I hadn't +much faith in her, remembering my other humbug, +but I did pity the old mummy; so I got +some tea and sugar, and a shawl, and used to +give her my odd pennies as I passed. I never +told at home, they made such fun of my efforts +to be charitable. I thought I really was getting +on pretty well after a time, as my old Biddy +seemed quite cheered up, and I was planning to +give her some coal, when she disappeared all of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +a sudden. I feared she was ill, and asked Mrs. +Maloney, the fat woman, about her.</p> + +<p>"'Lord love ye, Miss dear, it's tuk up and +sint to the Island for tree months she is; for +a drunken ould crayther is Biddy Ryan, and +niver a cint but goes for whiskey,—more shame +to her, wid a fine bye av her own ready to kape +her daycint.'</p> + +<p>"Then I <i>was</i> discouraged, and went home to +fold my hands, and see what fate would send +me, my own efforts being such failures."</p> + +<p>"Poor thing, it <i>was</i> hard luck!" said Elizabeth, +as they sobered down after the gale of +merriment caused by Marion's mishaps, and her +clever imitation of the brogue.</p> + +<p>"Now tell of your success, and the scarlet +runner," added Maggie.</p> + +<p>"Ah! that was <i>sent</i>, and so I prospered. I +must begin ever so far back, in war times, or I +can't introduce my hero properly. You know +Papa was in the army, and fought all through +the war till Gettysburg, where he was wounded. +He was engaged just before he went; so when +his father hurried to him after that awful battle, +Mamma went also, and helped nurse him till he +could come home. He wouldn't go to an officer's +hospital, but kept with his men in a poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +sort of place, for many of his boys were hit, and +he wouldn't leave them. Sergeant Joe Collins +was one of the bravest, and lost his right arm +saving the flag in one of the hottest struggles of +that great fight. He had been a Maine lumberman, +and was over six feet tall, but as gentle as +a child, and as jolly as a boy, and very fond of +his colonel.</p> + +<p>"Papa left first, but made Joe promise to let +him know how he got on, and Joe did so till he +too went home. Then Papa lost sight of him, +and in the excitement of his own illness, and +the end of the war, and being married, Joe Collins +was forgotten, till we children came along, +and used to love to hear the story of Papa's +battles, and how the brave sergeant caught the +flag when the bearer was shot, and held it in +the rush till one arm was blown off and the +other wounded. We have fighting blood in us, +you know, so we were never tired of that story, +though twenty-five years or more make it all as +far away to us as the old Revolution, where <i>our</i> +ancestor was killed, at <i>our</i> Bunker Hill!</p> + +<p>"Last December, just after my sad disappointments, +Papa came home to dinner one day, +exclaiming, in great glee: 'I've found old Joe! +A messenger came with a letter to me, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +when I looked up to give my answer, there +stood a tall, grizzled fellow, as straight as a +ramrod, grinning from ear to ear, with his hand +to his temple, saluting me in regular style. +"Don't you remember Joe Collins, Colonel? +Awful glad to see you, sir," said he. And +then it all came back, and we had a good talk, +and I found out that the poor old boy was down +on his luck, and almost friendless, but as proud +and independent as ever, and bound to take care +of himself while he had a leg to stand on. I've +got his address, and mean to keep an eye on +him, for he looks feeble and can't make much, +I'm sure.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 371px;"> +<img src="images/i04.jpg" width="371" height="600" alt=""And there stood a tall grizzly man, saluting in regular style."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"And there stood a tall grizzly man, saluting in regular style."</span> +</div> + +<p>"We were all very glad, and Joe came to see +us, and Papa sent him on endless errands, and +helped him in that way till he went to New +York. Then, in the fun and flurry of the holidays, +we forgot all about Joe, till Papa came +home and missed him from his post. I said I'd +go and find him; so Harry and I rummaged +about till we did find him, in a little house at +the North End, laid up with rheumatic fever in +a stuffy back room, with no one to look after +him but the washerwoman with whom he +boarded.</p> + +<p>"I was <i>so</i> sorry we had forgotten him! but <i>he</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +never complained, only said, with his cheerful +grin, 'I kinder mistrusted the Colonel was away, +but I wasn't goin' to pester him.' He tried to +be jolly, though in dreadful pain; called Harry +'Major,' and was so grateful for all we brought +him, though he didn't want oranges and tea, +and made us shout when I said, like a goose, +thinking that was the proper thing to do, 'Shall +I bathe your brow, you are so feverish?'</p> + +<p>"'No, thanky, miss, it was swabbed pretty +stiddy to the horsepittle, and I reckon a trifle +of tobaccer would do more good and be a sight +more relishin', ef you'll excuse my mentionin' +it.'</p> + +<p>"Harry rushed off and got a great lump and +a pipe, and Joe lay blissfully puffing, in a cloud +of smoke, when we left him, promising to come +again. We did go nearly every day, and had +lovely times; for Joe told us his adventures, +and we got so interested in the war that I began +to read up evenings, and Papa was pleased, +and fought all his battles over again for us, and +Harry and I were great friends reading together, +and Papa was charmed to see the old General's +spirit in us, as we got excited and discussed +all our wars in a fever of patriotism that made +Mamma laugh. Joe said I 'brustled up' at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +word <i>battle</i> like a war-horse at the smell of +powder, and I'd ought to have been a drummer, +the sound of martial music made me so +'skittish.'</p> + +<p>"It was all new and charming to us young +ones, but poor old Joe had a hard time, and +was very ill. Exposure and fatigue, and scanty +food, and loneliness, and his wounds, were too +much for him, and it was plain his working days +were over. He hated the thought of the poor-house +at home, which was all his own town +could offer him, and he had no friends to live +with, and he could not get a pension, something +being wrong about his papers; so he +would have been badly off, but for the Soldiers' +Home at Chelsea. As soon as he was +able, Papa got him in there, and he was glad +to go, for that seemed the proper place, and a +charity the proudest man might accept, after +risking his life for his country.</p> + +<p>"There is where I used to be going when you +saw me, and I was <i>so</i> afraid you'd smell the +cigars in my basket. The dear old boys always +want them, and Papa says they <i>must</i> have them, +though it isn't half so romantic as flowers, +and jelly, and wine, and the dainty messes we +women always want to carry. I've learned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +about different kinds of tobacco and cigars, and +you'd laugh to see me deal out my gifts, which +are received as gratefully as the Victoria Cross, +when the Queen decorates <i>her</i> brave men. I'm +quite a great gun over there, and the boys salute +when I come, tell me their woes, and think that +Papa and I can run the whole concern. I like +it immensely, and am as proud and fond of my +dear old wrecks as if I'd been a Rigoletto, and +ridden on a cannon from my babyhood. That's +<i>my</i> story, but I can't begin to tell how interesting +it all is, nor how glad I am that it led me +to look into the history of American wars, in +which brave men of our name did their parts so +well."</p> + +<p>A hearty round of applause greeted Marion's +tale, for her glowing face and excited voice +stirred the patriotic spirit of the Boston girls, +and made them beam approvingly upon her.</p> + +<p>"Now, Maggie, dear, last but not least, I'm +sure," said Anna, with an encouraging glance, +for <i>she</i> had discovered the secret of this friend, +and loved her more than ever for it.</p> + +<p>Maggie blushed and hesitated, as she put +down the delicate muslin cap-strings she was +hemming with such care. Then, looking about +her with a face in which both humility and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +pride contended, she said, with an effort, "After +the other lively experiences, mine will sound +very flat. In fact, I have no story to tell, for +<i>my</i> charity began at home, and stopped there."</p> + +<p>"Tell it, dear. I know it is interesting, and +will do us all good," said Anna, quickly; and, +thus supported, Maggie went on.</p> + +<p>"I planned great things, and talked about +what I meant to do, till Papa said one day, +when things were in a mess, as they often are, +at our house, 'If the little girls who want to +help the world along would remember that +charity begins at home, they would soon find +enough to do.'</p> + +<p>"I was rather taken aback, and said no more, +but after Papa had gone to the office, I began +to think, and looked round to see what there +was to be done at that particular moment. I +found enough for that day, and took hold at +once; for poor Mamma had one of her bad +headaches, the children could not go out because +it rained, and so were howling in the +nursery, cook was on a rampage, and Maria +had the toothache. Well, I began by making +Mamma lie down for a good long sleep. I kept +the children quiet by giving them my ribbon +box and jewelry to dress up with, put a poultice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +on Maria's face, and offered to wash the glass +and silver for her, to appease cook, who was as +cross as two sticks over extra work washing-day. +It wasn't much fun, as you may imagine, +but I got through the afternoon, and kept the +house still, and at dusk crept into Mamma's +room and softly built up the fire, so it should +be cheery when she waked. Then I went trembling +to the kitchen for some tea, and there +found three girls calling, and high jinks going +on; for one whisked a plate of cake into the +table drawer, another put a cup under her +shawl, and cook hid the teapot, as I stirred +round in the china closet before opening the +slide, through a crack of which I'd seen, heard, +and smelt 'the party,' as the children call it.</p> + +<p>"I was angry enough to scold the whole set, +but I wisely held my tongue, shut my eyes, and +politely asked for some hot water, nodded to +the guests, and told cook Maria was better, and +would do her work if she wanted to go out.</p> + +<p>"So peace reigned, and as I settled the tray, +I heard cook say in her balmiest tone, for I suspect +the cake and tea lay heavy on her conscience, +'The mistress is very poorly, and Miss +takes nice care of her, the dear.'</p> + +<p>"All blarney, but it pleased me and made me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +remember how feeble poor Mamma was, and +how little I really did. So I wept a repentant +weep as I toiled upstairs with my tea and toast, +and found Mamma all ready for them, and so +pleased to find things going well. I saw by +that what a relief it would be to her if I did it +oftener, as I ought, and as I resolved that I +would.</p> + +<p>"I didn't say anything, but I kept on doing +whatever came along, and before I knew it ever +so many duties slipped out of Mamma's hands +into mine, and seemed to belong to me. I don't +mean that I liked them, and didn't grumble to +myself; I did, and felt regularly crushed and +injured sometimes when I wanted to go and +have my own fun. Duty is right, but it isn't +easy, and the only comfort about it is a sort of +quiet feeling you get after a while, and a strong +feeling, as if you'd found something to hold on +to and keep you steady. I can't express it, but +you know?" And Maggie looked wistfully at +the other faces, some of which answered her +with a quick flash of sympathy, and some only +wore a puzzled yet respectful expression, as if +they felt they ought to know, but did not.</p> + +<p>"I need not tire you with all my humdrum +doings," continued Maggie. "I made no plans,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +but just said each day, 'I'll take what comes, +and try to be cheerful and contented.' So I +looked after the children, and that left Maria +more time to sew and help round. I did errands, +and went to market, and saw that Papa +had his meals comfortably when Mamma was +not able to come down. I made calls for her, +and received visitors, and soon went on as if I +were the lady of the house, not 'a chit of a girl,' +as Cousin Tom used to call me.</p> + +<p>"The best of all were the cosey talks we had +in the twilight, Mamma and I, when she was +rested, and all the day's worry was over, and +we were waiting for Papa. Now, when he +came, I didn't have to go away, for they +wanted to ask and tell me things, and consult +about affairs, and make me feel that I was really +the eldest daughter. Oh, it was just lovely to +sit between them and know that they needed +me, and loved to have me with them! That +made up for the hard and disagreeable things, +and not long ago I got my reward. Mamma is +better, and I was rejoicing over it, when she +said, 'Yes, I really am mending now, and hope +soon to be able to relieve my good girl. But I +want to tell you, dear, that when I was most +discouraged my greatest comfort was, that if I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +had to leave my poor babies they would find +such a faithful little mother in you.'</p> + +<p>"I was <i>so</i> pleased I wanted to cry, for the +children <i>do</i> love me, and run to me for everything +now, and think the world of Sister, and +they didn't use to care much for me. But that +wasn't all. I ought not to tell these things, +perhaps, but I'm so proud of them I can't help +it. When I asked Papa privately, if Mamma +was <i>really</i> better and in no danger of falling ill +again, he said, with his arms round me, and +such a tender kiss,—</p> + +<p>"'No danger now, for this brave little girl +put her shoulder to the wheel so splendidly, +that the dear woman got the relief from care +she needed just at the right time, and now she +really rests sure that we are not neglected. You +couldn't have devoted yourself to a better charity, +or done it more sweetly, my darling. God +bless you!'"</p> + +<p>Here Maggie's voice gave out, and she hid +her face, with a happy sob, that finished her +story eloquently. Marion flew to wipe her tears +away with the blue sock, and the others gave a +sympathetic murmur, looking much touched; +forgotten duties of their own rose before them, +and sudden resolutions were made to attend to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +them at once, seeing how great Maggie's reward +had been.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to be silly; but I wanted you +to know that I hadn't been idle all winter, and +that, though I haven't much to tell, I'm <i>quite</i> +satisfied with my chore," she said, looking up +with smiles shining through the tears till her +face resembled a rose in a sun-shower.</p> + +<p>"Many daughters have done well, but thou +excellest them all," answered Anna, with a kiss +that completed her satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Now, as it is after our usual time, and we +must break up," continued the President, producing +a basket of flowers from its hiding-place, +"I will merely say that I think we have all +learned a good deal, and will be able to work +better next winter; for I am sure we shall want +to try again, it adds so much sweetness to our +own lives to put even a little comfort into the +hard lives of the poor. As a farewell token, I +sent for some real Plymouth mayflowers, and +here they are, a posy apiece, with my love and +many thanks for your help in carrying out my +plan so beautifully."</p> + +<p>So the nosegays were bestowed, the last lively +chat enjoyed, new plans suggested, and goodbyes +said; then the club separated, each mem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>ber +going gayly away with the rosy flowers on +her bosom, and in it a clearer knowledge of the +sad side of life, a fresh desire to see and help +still more, and a sweet satisfaction in the +thought that each had done what she could.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of May Flowers, by Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAY FLOWERS *** + +***** This file should be named 37981-h.htm or 37981-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/8/37981/ + +Produced by Fulvia Hughes, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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