TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2669

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

It was New Year's Day. There had been a big storm, and although the wind had spent its force, the snow still fell steadily. ' Regular winter weather and no mistake,' observed Mr. Richard Hunt, as he came in noisily, stamping the snow from his boots; ' but I like it. So cold and bracing.' Mrs. Hunt, who was sitting near an open Franklin stove, laughed heartily. ' I like the house best such a day as this,' she said, shivering a little. 'I don't believe I'd be willing to face the cold even for the sake of the bracing.' ' I heard you say you were going to see old Mrs. Heifer to-day?' ' Yes; but I'll have to wait until some other day. Poor Mrs. Heifer!'

'ls she sick?'

' Yes.'

'I suppose she's very lonely since her daughter died?' 5

' Yes.'

' I shouldn't wonder if she has a struggle to make both ends meet since that bank failure?'

'I don't believe she does make the ends meet. I feel very sorry for, her.' ' But not quite sorry enough for you to go and see her, as you had intended to do to-day?' teasingly. 'Some other day will do as well—will it not?' 'Not if she needs you to-day. Come, get on your wraps, and I'll go with you. Let us be off. 'Why, Richard Hunt, what's got into you? I thought you never liked to go calling, especially at such places.' ' You thought right, my dear; but can you,tell me what there is to prevent my turning over a new leaf on New Year's Day?' She laughed.

' It would be a good idea,' she said. ' Well, then, encourage ]me in it.' 'So I will.' ;;/ '

She arose at once and was soon ready to face the storm, with a basket on her arm.

'What's in it?' Mr. Hunt asked, as he relieved his wife of the basket.

' Sugar and spice, and everything nice,' she quoted. A little maid opened the door when they reached Mrs. Heifer's. To Mrs. Hunt's question as to how the latter was, the child answered: ' She'm not very well, ma'am,' and then, lowering her voice to a confidential whisper, 'I guess she'm awful lonesome. She bin crying— saw her.' ' The weary old face brightened when little Polly led the callers in, but both Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were observant, and read between the lines ' that the dear old lady was not only sorrowful, but troubled. # ' I wish you a happy New Year,' Mrs. Hunt said, taking the thin old hands in a close clasp. 'Thank you,' responded the old lady warmly; 'and I wish you both a happy New Year. We had a fine turkey for dinner to-day,' said Mr. Hunt, ' and I rather think my wife brought you a piece,' uncovering the basket. Yes, sure enough, here it is !' 'Now, Dick,' said his wife, 'you've made your speech; sit down, please.' , He sat down with a sigh, pretending to feel hurt. He looked so comical that Mrs. Heifer's spirits rose so far that she laughed. ' I am greatly obliged to you both for remembering me,' she said. 'l'm going to confess that I've been longing for some turkey for a week, and now here it is.' The trio chatted pleasantly for a little while, and then Mr. Hunt arose suddenly. ' I've thought of an errand or two/ he said. 'You can have the floor to yourselves until I return. I'll not be gone long.' He met the small maid in the hall. ' Polly,' he said, ' I don't want to pry into Mrs. Heifer's affairs, but I'm really anxious to know if she has everything she needs. She's an old friend, you know; does she need anything, Polly?' -' Yes, sir, 'deed she do; but she didn't say so. She aint' no complainerthat's what she ain't. She ain't had no coffee since—since - '

'Go on, Polly, talk fast. Since when?' 'Since her money took wings an' flew. I dunno where it flew to, but that's what some one said— flew —an' she don't hev butter no more. I wanted to tell the grocer's boy we was out, but Mrs. Heifer she say, " No, not now, Polly; some other time we'll see about it." ' It doesn't seem hardly warm enough in the house, Polly. Do you have plenty of coal V '

That's what we don't, sir,' she said with decision. ' We'm jess about out. I guess by to-morrer it'll be all gone. Mrs. Heifer's a'mose a' shakin' with cold sometimes. She had two shawls aroun' her when you rung the bell, but she took 'em off.',

Mr. Hunt had heard —quite enough. 'Poor, dear old soul!' he said to himself, as he went out on his ministering journey. He kept his promise; he was not gone long. He put a bunch of bright carnations into the old lady's hand, and then he said to his wife, smilingly, that it was time to 'move on.'

Polly let them out of the front door. Returning r to the room, she found the old lady in a rapture of joy. There were tears in her eyes, but she was smiling. The fragrant, rosy carnations were still in her hand. On a low chair beside her was the well-filled. basket that the Hunts had brought. 'Look, Polly,' she cried, in a glee that was like a child's. •

And Polly looked and laughed. What she saw was a plate of sliced turkey, dainty biscuits, a print of butter, a mince pie, a frosted plum cake, oranges grapes, nuts, raisins, and candy. - 8 : a ' Oh, my!' cried Polly; what a fine-New Year we do be havm' after all!' •■ - , -

Presently the grocer's boy delivered a heavily-filled basket and a message. Tell yer missus Buck Bowers sed he'd be here to-morrer morning at 8 o'clock sure.'

' What for?' asked the amazed Polly. ' What for?' mockingly. ' Why, to bring the load 0' coal, of course.'

'Oh! 1 b'lieve there's fairies aroun'—l do so!' and after closing the door on the grocer's boy, Polly felt inclined to stand on her head by way of celebrating the delightful new state of things. She left the basket standing in the hall, as it was too heavy for her to attempt to carry it, but she could smell the coffee, and took that package with her; also two or three more.

' Oh, Mrs. Heifer,' she exclaimed, ' another big basket's come, an' it's jes' full of everything. Here's coffee fer you—an'—an' tea an' sugar. An' to-morrer there's a big load of coal a-coming.' 'Polly!' ' Yes, mum.'

' What does it all mean— that great basket of things you're telling about and the coal coming tomorrow

' I dunno.'

' But who sent the groceries ? Who is going to send the coal?'

Polly looked mystified. She stood boring the toe of her old shoe into the rug. Suddenly a light broke over her face.

'I guess it's God's doin', ma'am. You sed the Lord ud provide—l heard you —an' He's done it.' The old lady folded her hands. Bless the Lord, oh, my soul!.' she said fervently. 'l've thought of something, Mrs. Heifer,' Polly suddenly broke out, excitedly. 'I guess Mr. Richard Hunt's a'bin' a'helpin' the Lord.' The~.old lady smiled.

' We have the same thoughts about it, Polly, you and I,' she said. ' God always wants such help in His good work,' she said in conclusion.