Wingham Times, 1892-01-22, Page 6*n0an mics
sat
�1;e.1". �1�1� '',2, ,..s• fee.
Average Man.
etc story
ny gush or glory
o sentimental limelight,
na ti.rework display,
poor old ignoramus,
as never rich or famous,
ho couldn't ignite the river,
who worked out by the day.
common follow
ds Ebenezer Weller,
the usual share of virtues,
4 with vices two or throe;
fatal gift of beauty,
average sense of duty,
her very good nor evil ---
t about like you and mo.
e wed an average woman,
ice and very human,
about like Ebenezer,
ither very good or bad:
harmony they'd warble;
they would scold and squabble,
they loved each other dearly, ,
rd they couldn't continuo mad.
had enough on Monday
ply the house till Sunday,
er made enough iu April
support themselves in May;
y worked hard iu November,
mustwork hard. in December,
the coarse broad of to -morrow
as the hard work of to -day.
worked on, grew gray and grayer,
ey never made him mayor,
she plucked no social honors,
nd his wages still were small.
the load of years grew weighty,
hey died when they were eighty,
d they put them in the graveyard
nd they left them there. That's all.
listic story
goat any gush or glory—
t this fellow Ebenezer
presents the human elan;
the average share of pleasure,
the average lack of leisure,
's the average joy and soirow
Of the common average man.
1.1
J I 1 I I
Plum -pudding, indeed 1 There wero`�i,, ;,Il sit down to I on. the floor, and• whose faced fold*c$illy as well same, 'cause he ya'Iz , got
people of Mrs. Soarrow's acquaintance, Slie"iwas as good as her word. `'korFe she' held together under her aim'no place else to go to --hit yolk
well,tu-do at that, who thooens chem' atilt, she carried away that.ample base. AMMO one arm, rwi 11 an sir of sad' J411y
selves lucky if they Rat plum -pudding ket, Ieavinp nothing but a spicy odor resignation to his position, bung a cak, . No,, answered the boy in, Ufa deep -
at Thanks••iviug and Christmas, with of groceries in its place, old and yellowish gray. voice,
some left over to be •warniecl for next I Worse, than all, an ruder for wood The child s little thin face was gene Billy has heard tell o' berrkey au'
•
day and oasts,. enough to keep poor, chilled measly sprinkled with freckles ; her pluna,puddinc an' ice•creatsr, but he,
This here pluzzi-latiddiu's good, said' Mrs. Ruggles warm for a mouth, went eyes were small, bright, and black ala didn't know what. they tasted ltke,you,
a critical votes in gruffest tones. Give away with the district visitor, Mrs. bird's,
see. He's so.lazlza, 'sit be can't go, Date
me i Dura more of the gravy. I Ruggles !looked after her in ,iismay. So etztirely unexpected was her ap- by himself, an' when I aunt there to•
'Taint gravy. She tv,Quldn't listen to nothin' frompaarance, that no one spoke to hex. to look aftov him, the other 'b'o
What then ? me, she.said, not one word Turkey ! The unexpected visitor walked up, to plague him en account o'' his. voioe,,
Thee was a moment's pause. 'Then Whn's 'ret tnrltey t in ,• to know '_1 the great desk,, without being at all which is kind o' funny, 'cause he talks,
the answer came doubtfully t Sauce,
seems to me, like. Don't you want
some more, Miss Ganz 1
111 -,t -o w ! followed by the same
shrill laughter and reproach.
Now I'll get the iore Bream, Jinny, if
you and Lucy's had enough. There's
as much as ever you can eat.
arrested a thought
Ice cream! Ice Bream of a week day!, Upon my word an' honor, she 'said,
sorted him, Ile made queer noises in I beeCi to miseidn suppers an'
Mra. Scarrow .could scarcely restrain as if she were about to cry, I wuoldn't his throat, and, kept,. his head bent, things, so I know all about it. Once
her anger. And not satisfied with - be a bit surprised if Judy ain't been Occasionally, he drew his jacket -sleeve we Irac?l plum-puddin', an, afterwards
one phos, not two plates even, but as ; at it again ! An' me so good to her ! across his face,and shuffled uneasily on Billy an' me nater play party ;, an'
. myth as ever they can eat! The Board Now if this is what it come to, bein'
his crutches. sometimes, if you thought se real
Mrs, Sparrow was very much scene hard could 'most taste the gravy
should know of this ! good. to people when . you ain't got ' you+� Y
Then we'll have the oranges an' anything for your self, I give me.dallied at their appearance, on the potatoes, hilly said he never
nuts an' candies. Them oranges ought She closed her lips eroealy,and went I believe in my' heart, she said, if it would of known what plum puddin'
slowly up the staircase, A few seconds ain't Mrs. Ruggles' girl, herself, was like, if we hadn't a•made believe
later a lean gray cat sprang down, and Yes, answered the child, this is me, so often. - But be'd know it now, if
sought refuge in flight.' Judy Ruggles. Only my name ain't ever he'd see it, wouldn't yon, Billy 1
Ruggles. Folks jes' call me that, Yes !
pause I live with my aunt. My name Aunt Mag said that we ' must step
is Ripple—Jedith Ann Ripple—arid 1 playin' that way ; that is seemed like -
want to see -the Board, 'cause Aunt temptin' Providence jes' to make be-
Mag's 'most crazy. .Goodness knows sieve such extravagance. I thought
I didn't mean no harm, and her so we'd play it jes' once mbre an' then
awfully good to . me, an' it wasn't stop,'an' while we was playin' Mrs
Billy's fault at all. - Scarrow come.', an' that's the truth.
Miss Erroll, feeling that an e>;plan- Miss Erroll turned to the visitor
ellen of their curious case awaited with sparkling eyes. I was sura there
fled at Jud Lad b
An' p3etut-pnddiu• ! T I+oIks don't get
disconcerted by the grave faces off the oiie way andi laughs the other Laughs.
such like on washin' an' Cronin' two., silent ladies who, sat around it. Billy,
Jaya in the Keck at seventy-five Dents Is the Board here ? she asked in a 'Taint nathin' to laugh at.
ati day, an' sick in the bargtzia ; e0, high, e4rr11 voice, stooping to jerk ger You can, if you think how . �M:iiia
alone them Chines. Ice cream an' cat into a more comfortable position. Ganz stretched out lain nose every
oranges ! Wm.
Come up bete cleat, Billy, I've got lime 1 put something on his plate.
She started up stairs, but paused, something to say to the Board. Billy thought of poor disappoiased
byth l t Poor Billy's self-possession had de- Miss Gaaz, and laughed. shrilly.
to 11e sweet—they cost enough, good-
ness knows t Miss Ganz don't wit
' oranges, poor thing! Well, I can't help
that.
Mrs, Saarrow's patience could en-
dure. no more. She picked up her
basket and marched downstairs.
Midway of the first flight she met a
woman coming in from the street—a
smell, thin woman, in a faded shawl
and a shabby Week hat, who smiled
feebly when she recognized the visitor.
It was a chill October da A blast
Y
rt S. SCAR 110 W'S MISTAKE. of wind swept down the'steircase. and
— closed the door at the foot with a loud
t the top of the first 'flight of stair, noise,
Scarrow put. clown her basket and Mrs. Ruggles, said Mra,
ed against the wall. She was large severely. I've just been up
stunt, and her t,asket was hrn.vy room, ma'am.
heavy, indeed, that she hays . Yes, ma'am, answered Mrs. ltuggles,
ght it to the corner of the block regarding the basket with anxious
he street car. - eyes. She had had a previous rte.
Scarrow,
to your
uch au expressive basket 1_ There
a great roast of pork at the hot-
, and: a sack of flour at one side,
paper contained sugar, that coru-
�1.
;ornebread's stood enough for me,
?irk. Searrow, and if 1 can eat it.
°lieu they can. Therefore a gen-
s supply of coru-,heal was never
Icing in her numerous baskets.
here were links of sausage, a roll
acidities a kettle of lard, what not?
n this capacious receptacle.
1rs. Scarrow was a district visitor
the Ladies' Charitable Organization.
teats my 'time ! What makes people
in perches like. this? Not hut what
is live where they must, not where
y please. I suppose if re all had
way Mount Vernon Place wouldn't
ommodate.. us..
She reached the last landing and
used- for breath, leaning as, usual
'ainst the wall. The place was very
II—so still that front the first room
the right there came distinctly the
tnd of knives and forks in rapid
p tion,. and then—oh,the depravity of
e people !--these words came to
rs. ,5,'carrow's ears: -
Have another piece of turkey, a big
ere, do! I cut this aepurpose for you.
each over your plate now.
11 had so much already I can't hard -
breathe, answered a voice, as if the
pletion of the feast had of ected�its
teranne.
Turkey, thought Mrs, Scarrow,hold•
up her Weide, at this time of the
r 1 Never less n 'twentyetwo cents
a half a ponnd. Turkey ! To
nk that she has carried that basket
11 those steps for this 1
She resolved to wait and listen, and
rt the case to the Board.
You have another trete o' turkey,
(Sane, an' sonic more pertators
gravy an' sttiflln' an' things.
-c-a-o.w I
There was a shrill laugh. followed
sound of disapproval.
Das Ganz don't prefer no more.
right where yeu are till I ?,ring
40rwimpuddin'.
.1.
• quaintance with that generous basket,
and. although ' she in wardly rebelled,
against cornmeal, she was grateful for
assistance,
Yes, ma'am, I've just been up to
your room,
Dear me, Mrs. Scarrow, I'm awful
sorry, you've had all that trouble for
nothin'. .An' such a weight, too, to
get up all them steps, let alone the
basket. I says to Judy this mornin',
Judy, says I, don't you leave tke room
by no means. An' she said she wouldn't.
I hope you'll excuse me for mentionin'
it, but are you surto you knocked loud
enough. Mrs. 'Scarrow 1
I didn't knock at all! Mrs. Ruggles,
this has gone far enough ! 'You can't
deceive me. any longer! Can you stand ,
there, knowing what is oing on up '
stairs in your teem, and look me in
the eye 1
Now Mrs. Ruggles had been looking
straight into her visitor's eyes, but
immediately upon being asked if she
could do so, 'he found itimpossible toe
continue. She shifted - her gaze tine
easily,aud clasped her hard little hands
under her shawl, too meth astonished
to know what else to do. .
Turkey ! said Mrs. Scarrow. And,
not only turkey, but potatoes ' and
gravy and cranberries and things.
Celery, too, no doubt. - And if this
isn't enough, what more 2. -
Mrs. Scarrow 1 Mrs, Rggles strug.'
gled to protest.
Plum -pudding, Went on Mrs. Scar-
row, raising her hand and her voice,
and today neither Christmas nor yet
Thanksgiving day. Not even pancake
day 1 PIn n•pudding and icescream,
ma'am !
Mrs, Scarrow 1 -
"Yes, and oranges, tob.••-sweet ones,
—and goodness knows what all. NoW,
Mrs. Ruggles, what I want to imow'
is, who pays for all this 1 now many
charitable organizations do you belong
to, ma'am 1 1'31 go this minute and
report the case to the .Board,and yeu'II
get no more help from tnc. -Good ! tesquo than her face,
morning, Mrs. Ruggies. 1 hope you'll She was entirely enveloped
enjoy your dinner' 1 We a bettor one large shawl, whose frayed tends trailed
That August body was - in session
which was known to Mrs. Searrow as
the Board. The presi.lent, with an
expression of severe disapproval on her
face, was summing np an eloquent re-
port. The secretory, treasurer and
lady managers—with one exception --
also wore expressions of severe disap-
proval, and paid strict attention.
The one exception was a young lady
who suggested, with a great deal of
energy, the possibility of a mistake.
She had recently been elected to fill
her mother's place, and was at once
the admiration and the distraction of
her associates.
Miss Erroll insisted upon investiga-
ting the reports of the district visitors,
sometimes bringing to light imposie
tions, blit oftener making deserving
oases known. Despite much opposition.
she ivas gradually making the service
of the Ladies. Charitable Organization
effioient and far-reaching. '
While she did not doubt Mrs. Scar;
row in the least, she was quite sure
there had been a mistake..
Mrs. Bradley, ma'am, Mrs. Scarrow
'said to the president, I served the
Board in Miss Er'roll'ta mother's time
—I was appointed at its first meeting,
and never before have I been. accused
of neglecting my duty, not to speak of
wiarepresenting facts. It's about time•
I was handing -in my resignation.
T hope, I'm sure,' you'll find an
honest wean= to take my place ; but
thkeI'll say, if it's my very last word
—turkey—and potatoes—and gravy—
and cranberries—and plum-pudding—
and ice creamy—and oranges and things
was what I heard. '
Yes, but did you see? persisted Miss
Erroll.
'My dear bliss Erroll ? chided the
president. '
Mre. Scarrow put her handkerchief
to her face and remained silent.
A tumult of disapprobation followed.
The ladies, ignoring parliamentry con-
duct, expressed their views at one and
the saine time. Miss Brroll,although
without supporters, maintained her
cause bravely, her fresh, young voice
making itself heard above the commo-
tion.
In the midst of the confusion, the
ladies, with common accord, relapsed
into 'silence, as the great baize -covered
door opened slowly, and two children
entered.
Snob. poor, uncared for children 1
The girl. very metal' for her age, was
perfectly at her ease,ancl unembarrass-
ed. The boy, a timid, frith►;cited
creature and a erippie,'�noved'painfully
by ,the aid of rude crutches. Surely
there could be nothing more cornice!
than the girl's srnall figure, more groe
itt
a
them, sin y Den a mistake; Mrs. Ruggleu
I'm a member of the- Board, she always impressed me as being an
said, and you may tell me if you honest woman. •
please. Did your.atint send you here? honest 1 'I reckon she is, cried
No, indeed ! She don't know nothiu' Judy, with ber little scornful laugh.
about it. 1 had a pretty hard time to Aunt Mag aint like some people, that
find the place. 1 jes' wanted to' tell make poor mouths an' trade what's
you about last Thursda3. They warn't brought 'em for things they like
no party up in our room, , was they better. We're honest -we are.
Billy"1 Mrs. Searrow's really benevolent
No, answered Billy, in a voice the heart eouvin'oed her that the little girl
opposite of her own, it watt so deep had told the trutb. •
For pity's salce, child, she said, why
couldn't you play something sensible 1
Ring. around a -Rosy or Ding William's
Do you mean to tell me, Mrs Scar- was, or something like that 1 How's u
row demanded, that there wasn't a visitor to ki ow what's right and what's
crowd' up in that room a -feasting on wrong, if you go on, deceiving her 1
the fat of the land ? Potatoes and T reckon we'd better be goin', said-
gravey, plum -pudding, ice-cream and Judy. I'm glad I told you. Come on,
things ? Wasn't there a Miss Ganz Billy. Goodhy. ,
there, and a Jinny and a Lucy 1 As the baize -covered door closed,
She felt that her honor was at stake' the president asked, Mrs. Scarrow,will
you consider your resignation 1
Yes'm, answered Mrs. Scarrow,
pinning her shawl acmes her breast.
and .gruff.
We didu't have no° turkey ner
•
nothin-
'•
and• cross-questioned mercilessly, ex-
pecting the little girl to be overwhelm.
ed by the naming of the party of
feasters. And if you have no objection, I might
goin' to tell you how it was, as well fill up that basket again for
said Jidy, smiling indulgently. Aunt Mrs. Ruggles.
Malt's been awfully good to me. She The president turned to the Board
took me in out of the streets, a'most, of Managers. Ladies,she said,gravely,
when she had nothin' but a bone an' a we have, unfortunately, been .the.
crust for herself, att. I don't want to cause of adding trouble of mind to
bring trouble on her now, when She the burden of poverty and iN•health
ainthardly got hardly that much. You whish this woman is called upon to
know yourself,turning to the president, bear. It seems to me that we owe
washin's hard to get on account o' the her some reparation. Those poor
()Weft, an' her so poor an' weak,, children appealed to ine, as no doubt
they did to you. -
you—
The ladies answered es,
But about the petty 1 3'
Nobody wasn't there but me and Theboy with his crippled limbe,and
. the shrewd, unchildlike girl. We
Billy. might take theeare of them off her
I heard you, myself, call on Miss hands. She shares her wretched
Ganz to have another piece of turkey, pittance with those who have no claim
and utak Jinny and Lucy if they had upon her. A neat person is wanted
enough, said Mrs, Scarrow. ' ' . - to take charge of the rooms at the
Yos, so you did. But you didnt, Literary Club. The duties are light,
hear 'em say nothin' back, did you ? and the janitress has the use of two
Cause I'll tell you why, This here comfortable rooms in tho building.' I
oat is Miss Ganz, an' Jinny an' Lucy will recommend Mrs. Ruggles. As
is rag -dolls. for the children, I shall appoint a
Miss Ganz looked helplessly around committee of one to investigate • their
ees the semicircle of ladies, and ex- wants, and report to the Board. Miss
pressed her feelings in a long -drawn Erroll will serve,
m-e-a-o•w, Mrs Scarrowe recognized The ladies approved, and Mian
something familiar fit the sound. Erroll decided to make her investiga-
-:hilly lives with his father,'cnoss the tions at once.
landin'—second door to the left, went Think of a boy, sho said, whose
on Judy, with a generous desire to acquaintance with turkey and plum.' -
impart information, Mr Pike, he's a .pudding is by reputation only ! Think
fireman on a stearnboat,and sometimes of going through life on those rude
ha don't be borne for days an' days, an' crutches 1
then Aunt Mag has to take Cara of If Jttdy and Billy could have peered
s