food, andloneliness, and his wounds, were too much for him, and it was plain hisworking 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 tolive with, and he could not get a pension, something being wrong abouthis papers; so he would have been badly off, but for the Soldiers' Homeat Chelsea. As soon as he was able, Papa got him in there, and he wasglad to go, for that seemed the proper place, and a charity the proudestman 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 alwayswant them, and Papa says they _must_ have them, though it isn't half soromantic as flowers, and jelly, and wine, and the dainty messes we womenalways want to carry. I've learned about different kinds of tobacco andcigars, and you'd laugh to see me deal out my gifts, which are receivedas 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 Icome, tell me their woes, and think that Papa and I can run the wholeconcern. I like it immensely, and am as proud and fond of my dear oldwrecks as if I'd been a Rigoletto, and ridden on a cannon from mybabyhood. That's _my_ story, but I can't begin to tell how interestingit all is, nor how glad I am that it led me to look into the history ofAmerican 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 faceand excited voice stirred the patriotic spirit of the Boston girls, andmade them beam approvingly upon her.
"Now, Maggie, dear, last but not least, I'm sure," said Anna, with anencouraging 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 muslincap-strings she was hemming with such care. Then, looking about her witha face in which both humility and pride contended, she said, with aneffort, "After the other lively experiences, mine will sound very flat.In fact, I have no story to tell, for _my_ charity began at home, andstopped there."
"Tell it, dear. I know it is interesting, and will do us all good," saidAnna, quickly; and, thus supported, Maggie went on.
"I planned great things, and talked about what I meant to do, till Papasaid one day, when things were in a mess, as they often are, at ourhouse, 'If the little girls who want to help the world along wouldremember that charity begins at home, they would soon find enough todo.'
"I was rather taken aback, and said no more, but after Papa had gone tothe office, I began to think, and looked round to see what there was tobe done at that particular moment. I found enough for that day, and tookhold at once; for poor Mamma had one of her bad headaches, the childrencould 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 bymaking Mamma lie down for a good long sleep. I kept the children quietby giving them my ribbon box and jewelry to dress up with, put apoultice on Maria's face, and offered to wash the glass and silver forher, to appease cook, who was as cross as two sticks over extra workwashing-day. It wasn't much fun, as you may imagine, but I got throughthe afternoon, and kept the house still, and at dusk crept into Mamma'sroom and softly built up the fire, so it should be cheery when shewaked. Then I went trembling to the kitchen for some tea, and therefound three girls calling, and high jinks going on; for one whisked aplate 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 beforeopening 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 theguests, and told cook Maria was better, and would do her work if shewanted to go out.
"So peace reigned, and as I settled the tray, I heard cook say in herbalmiest tone, for I suspect the cake and tea lay heavy on herconscience, 'The mistress is very poorly, and Miss takes nice care ofher, the dear.'
"All blarney, but it pleased me and made me remember how feeble poorMamma was, and how little I really did. So I wept a repentant weep as Itoiled upstairs with my tea and toast, and found Mamma all ready forthem, and so pleased to find things going well. I saw by that what arelief it would be to her if I did it oftener, as I ought, and as Iresolved that I would.
"I didn't say anything, but I kept on doing whatever came along, andbefore I knew it ever so many duties slipped out of Mamma's hands intomine, and seemed to belong to me. I don't mean that I liked them, anddidn't grumble to myself; I did, and felt regularly crushed and injuredsometimes when I wanted to go and have my own fun. Duty is right, but itisn't easy, and the only comfort about it is a sort of quiet feeling youget after a while, and a strong feeling, as if you'd found something tohold on to and keep you steady. I can't express it, but you know?" AndMaggie looked wistfully at the other faces, some of which answered herwith a quick flash of sympathy, and some only wore a puzzled yetrespectful expression, as if they felt they ought to know, but did not.
"I need not tire you with all my humdrum doings," continued Maggie. "Imade no plans, but just said each day, 'I'll take what comes, and tryto be cheerful and contented.' So I looked after the children, and thatleft Maria more time to sew and help round. I did errands, and went tomarket, and saw that Papa had his meals comfortably when Mamma was notable to come down. I made calls for her, and received visitors, and soonwent on as if I were the lady of the house, not 'a chit of a girl,' asCousin Tom used to call me.
"The best of all were the cosey talks we had in the twilight, Mamma andI, when she was rested, and all the day's worry was over, and we werewaiting for Papa. Now, when he came, I didn't have to go away, for theywanted to ask and tell me things, and consult about affairs, and make mefeel that I was really the eldest daughter. Oh, it was just lovely tosit between them and know that they needed me, and loved to have me withthem! That made up for the hard and disagreeable things, and not longago I got my reward. Mamma is better, and I was rejoicing over it, whenshe said, 'Yes, I really am mending now, and hope soon to be able torelieve my good girl. But I want to tell you, dear, that when I was mostdiscouraged my greatest comfort was, that if I had to leave my poorbabies they would find such a faithful little mother in you.'
"I was _so_ pleased I wanted to cry, for the children _do_ love me, andrun to me for everything now, and think the world of Sister, and theydidn't use to care much for me. But that wasn't all. I ought not to tellthese things, perhaps, but I'm so proud of them I can't help it. When Iasked Papa privately, if Mamma was _really_ better and in no danger offalling ill again, he said, with his arms round me, and such a tenderkiss,--
"'No danger now, for this brave little girl put her shoulder to thewheel so splendidly, that the dear woman got the relief from care sheneeded just at the right time, and now she really rests sure that we arenot 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 awaywith the blue sock, and the others gave a sympathetic murmur, lookingmuch touched; forgotten duties of their own rose before them, and suddenresolutions were made to attend to them at once, seeing how greatMaggie's reward had been.
"I didn't mean to be silly; but I wanted you to know that I hadn't beenidle all winter, and that, though I haven't much to tell, I'm _quite_satisfied with my chore," she said, looking up with smiles shiningthrough the tears till her face resembled a rose in a sun-shower.
"Many daughters have done well, but thou excellest them all," answeredAnna, with a kiss that completed her satisfaction.
"Now, as it is after our usual time, and we must break up," continuedthe President, producing a basket of flowers from its hiding-place, "Iwill merely say that I think we have all learned a good deal, and willbe able to work better next winter; for
I am sure we shall want to tryagain, it adds so much sweetness to our own lives to put even a littlecomfort into the hard lives of the poor. As a farewell token, I sent forsome real Plymouth mayflowers, and here they are, a posy apiece, with mylove and many thanks for your help in carrying out my plan sobeautifully."
So the nosegays were bestowed, the last lively chat enjoyed, new planssuggested, and goodbyes said; then the club separated, each membergoing gayly away with the rosy flowers on her bosom, and in it a clearerknowledge of the sad side of life, a fresh desire to see and help stillmore, and a sweet satisfaction in the thought that each had done whatshe could.
*