May Flowers, Page 2
Louisa May Alcott
try, at least, though it seems like so many ants trying to move amountain."
"Well, ants build nests higher than a man's head in Africa; you rememberthe picture of them in our old geographies? And we can do as much, I'msure, if each tugs her pebble or straw faithfully. I shall shoulder mineto-morrow if Mamma is willing," answered Lizzie, shutting up herwork-bag as if she had her resolution inside and was afraid it mightevaporate before she got home.
"I shall stand on the Common, and proclaim aloud, 'Here's a nice youngmissionary, in want of a job! Charity for sale cheap! Who'll buy? who'llbuy?'" said Maggie, with a resigned expression, and a sanctimonioustwang to her voice.
"I shall wait and see what comes to me, since I don't know what I'm fitfor;" and Marion gazed out of the window as if expecting to see someinteresting pauper waiting for her to appear.
"I shall ask Miss Bliss for advice; she knows all about the poor, andwill give me a good start," added prudent Ida, who resolved to donothing rashly lest she should fail.
"I shall probably have a class of dirty little girls, and teach them howto 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 atand wish I hadn't done it. Still I shall try it, and sacrifice myfancy-work to the cause of virtue," said Ella, carefully putting awayher satin glove-case with a fond glance at the delicate flowers she soloved to embroider.
"I have no plans, but want to do so much I shall have to wait till Idiscover what is best. After to-day we won't speak of our work, or itwon'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, withgreat plans and new ideas simmering in their young heads and hearts.
It seemed a vast undertaking; but where there is a will there is alwaysa way, and soon it was evident that each had found "a little chore" todo 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 orfail. Much curiosity was felt, and a few accidental words, hints, ormeetings in queer places, were very exciting, though nothing wasdiscovered.
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 fancyarticles were sold, and Ida always brought plain sewing to the club.Maggie seemed very busy at home, and Anna was found writingindustriously several times when one of her friends called. All seemedvery happy, and rather important when outsiders questioned them abouttheir affairs. But they had their pleasures as usual, and seemed toenjoy them with an added relish, as if they realized as never before howmany blessings they possessed, and were grateful for them.
So the winter passed, and slowly something new and pleasant seemed tocome into the lives of these young girls. The listless, discontentedlook some of them used to wear passed away; a sweet earnestness and acheerful activity made them charming, though they did not know it, andwondered when people said, "That set of girls are growing upbeautifully; they will make fine women by and by." The mayflowers werebudding under the snow, and as spring came on the fresh perfume began tosteal out, the rosy faces to brighten, and the last year's dead leavesto fall away, leaving the young plants green and strong.
On the 15th of May the club met for the last time that year, as someleft 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, andeach wore an air of mingled anxiety, expectation, and satisfaction,pleasant to behold. Anna called them to order with three raps of herthimble and a beaming smile.
"We need not choose a book for our reading to-day, as each of us is tocontribute an original history of her winter's work. I know it will bevery interesting, and I hope more instructive, than some of the novelswe have read. Who shall begin?"
"You! you!" was the unanimous answer; for all loved and respected hervery much, and felt that their presiding officer should open the ball.
Anna colored modestly, but surprised her friends by the composure withwhich 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 forsomething that I _could_ do. I did look a long time, and was rather indespair, when my task came to me in the most unexpected way. Our winterwork was being done, so I had a good deal of shopping on my hands, andfound it less a bore than usual, because I liked to watch the shopgirls, and wish I dared ask some of them if I could help them. I wentoften to get trimmings and buttons at Cotton's, and had a good deal todo with the two girls at that counter. They were very obliging andpatient about matching some jet ornaments for Mamma, and I found outthat their names were Mary and Maria Porter. I liked them, for they werevery neat and plain in their dress,--not like some, who seem to thinkthat if their waists are small, and their hair dressed in the fashion,it is no matter how soiled their collars are, nor how untidy theirnails. Well, one day when I went for certain kinds of buttons which wereto be made for us, Maria, the younger one, who took the order, was notthere. 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 shecalled her sister, had been suffering for a long time, but did notcomplain for fear of losing her place. No stools are allowed atCotton's, so the poor girls stand nearly all day, or rest a minute nowand then on a half-opened drawer. I'd seen Maria doing it, and wonderedwhy some one did not make a stir about seats in this place, as they havein other stores and got stools for the shop women. I didn't dare tospeak to the gentlemen, but I gave Mary the Jack roses I wore in mybreast, 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 Iwent to see her, for she was very lonely without her sister, anddiscouraged about her place. She did not lose it entirely, but had towork at home, for her lame knee will be a long time in getting well. Ibegged Mamma and Mrs. Allingham to speak to Mr. Cotton for her; so shegot 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 sohappy not to be idle. We also got stools for all the other girls in thatshop. Mrs. Allingham is so rich and kind she can do anything, and nowit's such a comfort to see those tired things resting when off duty thatI often go in and enjoy the sight."
Anna paused as cries of "Good! good!" interrupted her tale; but she didnot add the prettiest part of it, and tell how the faces of the youngwomen behind the counters brightened when she came in, nor how gladlyall 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'vebeen reading papers to a class of shop girls at the Union once a weekall winter."
A murmur of awe and admiration greeted this deeply interestingstatement; for, true to the traditions of the modern Athens in whichthey lived, the girls all felt the highest respect for "papers" on anysubject, it being the fashion for ladies, old and young, to read anddiscuss every subject, from pottery to Pantheism, at the various clubsall over the city.
"It came about very naturally," continued Anna, as if anxious to explainher seeming audacity. "I used to go to see Molly and Ria, and heard allabout their life and its few pleasures, and learned to like them moreand 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 whatthey 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 otherkind girls only a little older than I did. Eva Randal read a letter froma friend in Russia one time, and the girls enjoyed it very much. Thatreminded me of my brother George's lively journals, written when he wasabroad. You remember how we used to laugh over them when he sent themhome? Well, when I was begged t
o give them an evening, I resolved to tryone of those amusing journal-letters, and chose the best,--all about howGeorge and a friend went to the different places Dickens describes insome of his funny books. I wish you could have seen how those dear girlsenjoyed 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. Gamplived there. It was actually a barber's shop, and a little man, verylike Poll Sweedlepipes, told them 'Mrs. Britton was the nuss as livedthere now.' It upset those rascals to come so near the truth, and theyran away because they couldn't keep sober."
The members of the club indulged in a general smile as they recalled theimmortal Sairey with "the bottle on the
"Well, ants build nests higher than a man's head in Africa; you rememberthe picture of them in our old geographies? And we can do as much, I'msure, if each tugs her pebble or straw faithfully. I shall shoulder mineto-morrow if Mamma is willing," answered Lizzie, shutting up herwork-bag as if she had her resolution inside and was afraid it mightevaporate before she got home.
"I shall stand on the Common, and proclaim aloud, 'Here's a nice youngmissionary, in want of a job! Charity for sale cheap! Who'll buy? who'llbuy?'" said Maggie, with a resigned expression, and a sanctimonioustwang to her voice.
"I shall wait and see what comes to me, since I don't know what I'm fitfor;" and Marion gazed out of the window as if expecting to see someinteresting pauper waiting for her to appear.
"I shall ask Miss Bliss for advice; she knows all about the poor, andwill give me a good start," added prudent Ida, who resolved to donothing rashly lest she should fail.
"I shall probably have a class of dirty little girls, and teach them howto 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 atand wish I hadn't done it. Still I shall try it, and sacrifice myfancy-work to the cause of virtue," said Ella, carefully putting awayher satin glove-case with a fond glance at the delicate flowers she soloved to embroider.
"I have no plans, but want to do so much I shall have to wait till Idiscover what is best. After to-day we won't speak of our work, or itwon'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, withgreat plans and new ideas simmering in their young heads and hearts.
It seemed a vast undertaking; but where there is a will there is alwaysa way, and soon it was evident that each had found "a little chore" todo 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 orfail. Much curiosity was felt, and a few accidental words, hints, ormeetings in queer places, were very exciting, though nothing wasdiscovered.
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 fancyarticles were sold, and Ida always brought plain sewing to the club.Maggie seemed very busy at home, and Anna was found writingindustriously several times when one of her friends called. All seemedvery happy, and rather important when outsiders questioned them abouttheir affairs. But they had their pleasures as usual, and seemed toenjoy them with an added relish, as if they realized as never before howmany blessings they possessed, and were grateful for them.
So the winter passed, and slowly something new and pleasant seemed tocome into the lives of these young girls. The listless, discontentedlook some of them used to wear passed away; a sweet earnestness and acheerful activity made them charming, though they did not know it, andwondered when people said, "That set of girls are growing upbeautifully; they will make fine women by and by." The mayflowers werebudding under the snow, and as spring came on the fresh perfume began tosteal out, the rosy faces to brighten, and the last year's dead leavesto fall away, leaving the young plants green and strong.
On the 15th of May the club met for the last time that year, as someleft 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, andeach wore an air of mingled anxiety, expectation, and satisfaction,pleasant to behold. Anna called them to order with three raps of herthimble and a beaming smile.
"We need not choose a book for our reading to-day, as each of us is tocontribute an original history of her winter's work. I know it will bevery interesting, and I hope more instructive, than some of the novelswe have read. Who shall begin?"
"You! you!" was the unanimous answer; for all loved and respected hervery much, and felt that their presiding officer should open the ball.
Anna colored modestly, but surprised her friends by the composure withwhich 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 forsomething that I _could_ do. I did look a long time, and was rather indespair, when my task came to me in the most unexpected way. Our winterwork was being done, so I had a good deal of shopping on my hands, andfound it less a bore than usual, because I liked to watch the shopgirls, and wish I dared ask some of them if I could help them. I wentoften to get trimmings and buttons at Cotton's, and had a good deal todo with the two girls at that counter. They were very obliging andpatient about matching some jet ornaments for Mamma, and I found outthat their names were Mary and Maria Porter. I liked them, for they werevery neat and plain in their dress,--not like some, who seem to thinkthat if their waists are small, and their hair dressed in the fashion,it is no matter how soiled their collars are, nor how untidy theirnails. Well, one day when I went for certain kinds of buttons which wereto be made for us, Maria, the younger one, who took the order, was notthere. 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 shecalled her sister, had been suffering for a long time, but did notcomplain for fear of losing her place. No stools are allowed atCotton's, so the poor girls stand nearly all day, or rest a minute nowand then on a half-opened drawer. I'd seen Maria doing it, and wonderedwhy some one did not make a stir about seats in this place, as they havein other stores and got stools for the shop women. I didn't dare tospeak to the gentlemen, but I gave Mary the Jack roses I wore in mybreast, 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 Iwent to see her, for she was very lonely without her sister, anddiscouraged about her place. She did not lose it entirely, but had towork at home, for her lame knee will be a long time in getting well. Ibegged Mamma and Mrs. Allingham to speak to Mr. Cotton for her; so shegot 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 sohappy not to be idle. We also got stools for all the other girls in thatshop. Mrs. Allingham is so rich and kind she can do anything, and nowit's such a comfort to see those tired things resting when off duty thatI often go in and enjoy the sight."
Anna paused as cries of "Good! good!" interrupted her tale; but she didnot add the prettiest part of it, and tell how the faces of the youngwomen behind the counters brightened when she came in, nor how gladlyall 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'vebeen reading papers to a class of shop girls at the Union once a weekall winter."
A murmur of awe and admiration greeted this deeply interestingstatement; for, true to the traditions of the modern Athens in whichthey lived, the girls all felt the highest respect for "papers" on anysubject, it being the fashion for ladies, old and young, to read anddiscuss every subject, from pottery to Pantheism, at the various clubsall over the city.
"It came about very naturally," continued Anna, as if anxious to explainher seeming audacity. "I used to go to see Molly and Ria, and heard allabout their life and its few pleasures, and learned to like them moreand 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 whatthey 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 otherkind girls only a little older than I did. Eva Randal read a letter froma friend in Russia one time, and the girls enjoyed it very much. Thatreminded me of my brother George's lively journals, written when he wasabroad. You remember how we used to laugh over them when he sent themhome? Well, when I was begged t
o give them an evening, I resolved to tryone of those amusing journal-letters, and chose the best,--all about howGeorge and a friend went to the different places Dickens describes insome of his funny books. I wish you could have seen how those dear girlsenjoyed 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. Gamplived there. It was actually a barber's shop, and a little man, verylike Poll Sweedlepipes, told them 'Mrs. Britton was the nuss as livedthere now.' It upset those rascals to come so near the truth, and theyran away because they couldn't keep sober."
The members of the club indulged in a general smile as they recalled theimmortal Sairey with "the bottle on the
