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+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: ASCII
+
+*** 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.)
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note: Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "The best of all were the cosey talks we had in the
+twilight."
+
+    _Frontispiece._]
+
+
+
+
+MAY FLOWERS
+
+BY
+LOUISA M. ALCOTT
+
+AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "LITTLE MEN,"
+"AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," ETC.
+
+Illustrated
+
+BOSTON
+LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+_Copyright, 1887_,
+BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT.
+
+_Copyright, 1899_,
+BY JOHN S. P. ALCOTT.
+
+University Press
+JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+MAY FLOWERS
+
+
+Being 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.
+
+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.
+
+"'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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 _so_ wicked it quite upsets me. If
+I knew _how_ 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.
+
+"I know something that I _could_ do if I only had the courage to begin
+it. But Papa would 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.
+
+"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?"
+
+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 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 _might_ 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."
+
+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,--
+
+"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 great deal
+of naughtiness out of me, and dear Mamma and I have been more to each
+other ever since."
+
+"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."
+
+"I think we can't do _much_ 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.
+
+"What _could_ we do?"
+
+"People will call us goody-goody."
+
+"I haven't the least idea how to go to work."
+
+"Don't believe Mamma will let me."
+
+"We'd better change our names from May Flowers to sisters of charity,
+and wear meek black bonnets and flapping cloaks."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 _can_ 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.
+
+The other girls agreed, after some discussion, and then Anna took the
+floor again.
+
+"I propose that we each work in our own 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?"
+
+It evidently was a unanimous vote, for five gold thimbles went up, and
+five blooming faces smiled as the five girlish voices cried, "Aye!"
+
+"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."
+
+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 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 see some
+interesting pauper waiting for her to appear.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+With these farewell words from their president the girls departed, with
+great plans and new ideas simmering in their young heads and hearts.
+
+It seemed a vast undertaking; but where 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.
+
+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.
+
+So the winter passed, and slowly something new and pleasant seemed to
+come into the lives of these young girls. The listless, discontented
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"You! you!" was the unanimous answer; for all loved and respected her
+very much, and felt that their presiding officer should open the ball.
+
+Anna colored modestly, but surprised her friends by the composure with
+which she related her little story, quite as if used to public speaking.
+
+"You know I told you last November that I should have to look about for
+something that I _could_ 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
+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 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."
+
+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.
+
+"I hope that isn't all?" said Maggie, eagerly.
+
+"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."
+
+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 for ladies, old and young, to read and
+discuss every subject, from pottery to Pantheism, at the various clubs
+all over the city.
+
+"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
+enjoyed 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."
+
+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,--
+
+"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 _really_ 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
+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?"
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+"Hear! hear!" cried the girls; and, nothing loath, Ella promptly began,
+with twinkling eyes and a demure smile, for _her_ story ended
+romantically.
+
+"If you are interested in shop girls, Miss President and ladies, you
+will like to know that _I_ am one, at least a silent partner and
+co-worker in a small fancy store at the West End."
+
+"No!" exclaimed the amazed club with one voice; and, satisfied with this
+sensational beginning, Ella went on.
+
+"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 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.
+
+"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, 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.'"
+
+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.
+
+"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 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.'
+
+"'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 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.
+
+"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 _his_
+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.'
+
+"That just finished me, for I am romantic, 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.
+
+"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 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 _could_ be so pathetic."
+
+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.
+
+"Well, that was the beginning of it. I got so absorbed in _making_
+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,
+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.
+
+"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, 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.'"
+
+"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.
+
+"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
+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.'
+
+"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 _had_ proved 'faithful
+and true.' I didn't expect he would, so was not surprised when no answer
+came. But I _was_ 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Almiry bid me good-by with all the grim look gone out of her face, many
+thanks, and a hearty promise to write soon. That was in April. A week
+ago I got a short letter saying,--
+
+     "'DEAR FRIEND,--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
+
+                    "'Yours gratefully,
+                             "'ALMIRA M. BAXTER.'"
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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.
+
+"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.
+
+[Illustration: "I had my pets of course, and did my best for them."]
+
+"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 be able to learn a cabinet-maker's trade, or some
+easy work.
+
+"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.
+
+"'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.
+
+"'Come on, Johnny, and the lady will sing to you like a bobolink,'
+called Jimmy, as proud as Barnum showing off Jumbo.
+
+"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!'
+
+"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 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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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
+something 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."
+
+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.
+
+"I waited for _my_ chore, and it came tumbling down our basement steps
+one rainy day in the 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.
+
+"'Are you hurt, child?' said I.
+
+[Illustration: "'Are you hurt, child?' said I."]
+
+"'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.
+
+"'Did you come begging?' I asked.
+
+"'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.
+
+"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 only picked at it till I
+asked if she didn't like it.
+
+"'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.'
+
+"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.
+
+"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, 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 _how_ 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 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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 matinees
+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!"
+
+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.
+
+"I have been taking care of a scarlet runner,--a poor old
+frost-bitten, neglected thing; it is transplanted now, and doing well,
+I'm happy to say."
+
+"What _do_ you mean?" asked Ella, while the rest looked very curious.
+
+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 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"I was _very_ 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.
+
+"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.'
+
+"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 a sudden. I feared she was ill, and asked
+Mrs. Maloney, the fat woman, about her.
+
+"'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.'
+
+"Then I _was_ discouraged, and went home to fold my hands, and see what
+fate would send me, my own efforts being such failures."
+
+"Poor thing, it _was_ 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.
+
+"Now tell of your success, and the scarlet runner," added Maggie.
+
+"Ah! that was _sent_, 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 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.
+
+"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 _our_ ancestor was killed, at _our_ Bunker Hill!
+
+"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 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.'
+
+[Illustration: "And there stood a tall grizzly man, saluting in regular
+style."]
+
+"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.
+
+"I was _so_ sorry we had forgotten him! but _he_ 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?'
+
+"'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.'
+
+"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 word _battle_ 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.'
+
+"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.
+
+"There is where I used to be going when you saw me, and I was _so_
+afraid you'd smell the cigars in my basket. The dear old boys always
+want them, and Papa says they _must_ 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 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 _her_
+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 _my_ 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."
+
+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.
+
+"Now, Maggie, dear, last but not least, I'm sure," said Anna, with an
+encouraging glance, for _she_ had discovered the secret of this friend,
+and loved her more than ever for it.
+
+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 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 _my_ charity began at home, and
+stopped there."
+
+"Tell it, dear. I know it is interesting, and will do us all good," said
+Anna, quickly; and, thus supported, Maggie went on.
+
+"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.'
+
+"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 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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.'
+
+"All blarney, but it pleased me and made me 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"I need not tire you with all my humdrum doings," continued Maggie. "I
+made no plans, 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.
+
+"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 had to leave my poor
+babies they would find such a faithful little mother in you.'
+
+"I was _so_ pleased I wanted to cry, for the children _do_ 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 _really_ better and in no danger of
+falling ill again, he said, with his arms round me, and such a tender
+kiss,--
+
+"'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!'"
+
+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 them at once, seeing how great
+Maggie's reward had been.
+
+"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 _quite_
+satisfied with my chore," she said, looking up with smiles shining
+through the tears till her face resembled a rose in a sun-shower.
+
+"Many daughters have done well, but thou excellest them all," answered
+Anna, with a kiss that completed her satisfaction.
+
+"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."
+
+So the nosegays were bestowed, the last lively chat enjoyed, new plans
+suggested, and goodbyes said; then the club separated, each member
+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.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+All punctuation kept as per original, including unclosed quotes.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of May Flowers, by Louisa May Alcott
+
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