THE WORKBOX.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17586, 15 December 1928, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE WORKBOX.

A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE. Many years ago, in a village several miles from the nearest town, there dwelt two little girls named Muriel and Patricia. Muriel was very fair, with pretty curls, and Patricia had long blatk hair.

The two little girls were very diligent, and liked nothing better than to sit beside their mother during the summer afternoons and make a tiny garment for their dolls, or read some of the beautiful books which they possessed. It was very- pleasant where their house was situated. There were cherry trees on the lawn, and the flower beds were always changing colour with the seasons. For some time the two girls had been busily occupied in some rather tedious needlework for an old lady of whose sad case their mother had told them. She was unable to leave her bed, and the little girls thought that they would make her a beautiful nightdress. If you have ever tried to make one you will understand what a long time it took; the seams were not endless, but very nearly. Towards the end of July the nightdress was nearly finished. It was really a gorgeous creation for such tiny fingers. It was made of soft longcloth, with frills of lace at the wrists The front was ornamented with insertion, tucks, and feather-stitching, and the collar matched the wrists. Like all dainty needlework, however, the greatest beauty was in the tiny stitches and the evenness of the hems, 'tucks and gathers. ■ They decided to present it to Mrs Mac Plenty on August Bank Holiday. At half-past two they were driven in the pony carriage to the cottage on the bill where the old lady lived.

Judy Mac Plenty came, to the door, and with a smile asked them to go upstairs to her mother's bedroom. 1 The little girls took the nightdress from the cardboard bov and unwrapped the tissue paper. Mrs MacPienty's joy was unspeakable, and at first she could only gaze upon it. Later she expressed her pleasure at receiving such a very welcome and appropriate gift, and said she was sure it would fit her splendidly. Just as the visitors were departing the postman's whistle was heard. Judy, as usual, ran down to the end of the lane to save the man the trouble of walking to the cottage door. She came back carrying a parcel, and as it was evidently something very interesting Muriel and Patricia were asked to wait and see the contents. They all returned to Mrs MacPlenty's room. Here the parcel was opened, and to everybody's surprise a most beautiful workbox was found. A card inside bore these words—

Industry will always find Fortune to be very kind.

The workbox contained everything that one could possibly require for the most exquisite sewing—buttons and hooks, tiny reels of cotlon and silk, a needlebook with rosebuds embroidered on the cover, u box of pins, a crochet hook, a gold bodkin, small and large gilt scissors and two silver thimbles

in velvet-lined cases, besides several yards of Valenciennes lace, half a yard of muslin, and a neat pile of lavender, cinnamon, violet, white, pale blue, and tartan silk suitable for making up into fancy aritcles such as pincushions and hair-tidies.

Mrs MacPienty's face beamed as she examined the contents, and she presently said —

"For your kindly thought of me I can do no less than give this beautiful box to you." Muriel and Patricia thanked her warmly and assured her that they would keep it and use it every day.