Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1885 — Mattie Van WYCK'S STORY. [ARTICLE]

Mattie Van WYCK'S STORY.

BY HETTIE J. POTTER.

The fire burned lowin the little home of the Van Wycks; nothing was heard but the ticking of the clock and the purring of the old gray cat. The night was frosty without, the tall pine trees cast their long shadows across the snow; everything seemed tranquil to Mattie Van Wyck as she looked out of the window, then going back to the stove, •stirred the scanty fire. The Van Wycks were very well-to-do a few years back, Mr. Van Wyck having had quite a property left him; but being an easy-going man and not having the ability to make money, his property gradually slipped through his hands; and after selling his farm and paying his debts, left him but little. He decided to go West, and finally drifted up into a Northern town, buying .a little home which took nearly all he .had. He worked hard in the pineries and kept his family supplied from day to day; but from severe exposure, cony tracted a hard cold and died, leaving his wife and four children to the merxies of a northern winter. The oldest child, Mattie, was a bright, energetic little girl of 15. She was attending school, but would have to give it up for a while at least, and stay at home to help her mother, who by taking in sewing had kept the wolf from the door ever since her father’s death. Mattie bad sat up later than usual to do her sums, and now, with her chin resting on her hands, sat looking intently into the fire, wondering what she could do to help along. The problem was a hard one for a slender girl, and she gave it up for the night, and, locking up the house, took her light and trotted off to bed. The next day was Sunday. After 4he frugal breakfast, the dishes were - washed and the house put to rights. Mrs. Van Wyck got the children ready rfor Sunday-school, combed their hair, . made them look as neatly as possible, all except Johnnie, who was a sturdy little fellow with black eyes and red cheeks. He had played hard and ■tubbed out his boots, so he would have zto stay at home for a while till Providence or Santa Claus sent him some new ones. He made up quite a lip, and a big tear rolled down his cheek as he looked out of the window after his sisters ; but “he must dry his eyes and be a good little boy,” his mother said, “for some day he would be a man, and take .care of them all. ” -Johnnie caught the idea at once, -climbed down from the window and bqsied himself helping his mother by bringing in wood, and in various ways; . and was very happy. The day passed quietly and pleasantly; the children came home each with a fresh new book. In the evening, as they were seated around the table reading, Mattie broke •.the silence by saying: “Mother, I wish I could write a ■story. When we wore at the library to-day I heard Lusie Foster telling Gertie Manning that she had an aunt in Boston who wrote stories and made lots of money. Now if I could only do something like that how nice it would be.” “You might try, Mattie,” her mother •replied; “we never know what we can do till we’ve tried. ” “If I only knew what to write about.” “Write about your home, brother and sisters,” Mrs. Van Wyck suggested. Mattie was quite imbued with the idea, and went and got paper and pencil. If she could only make some •money, all herself, buy some new boots for Johnnie, some mittens for Amy; and Christmas would soon be here, and bow nice it would be to surprise them all. She sat down and began. It was not An easy task, but she kept 'diligently at ■it all the spare time she had, her •mother being busy at the machine from early morning till late at night. The close of the term was near at •hand,, and in three weeks—the holidays. Mattie looked pretty sober; she told her mother she had written about her home, but she thought the story need--ed a brighter side, and was afraid she would have to give it up. Her mother told her she had a good beginning, and not to worry any way, as she was a .<reat help to her, and as soon as she

could, would send her to school again. Mattie took her books and trudged to qphool with a heavy heart. She had planned so many little surprises with the money she would get, that to fail with her story was a bitter disappoint- • ment; but she studied hard and had her lessons. One day she noticed an i unusual excitement among some of her , schoolmates, and overheard one little i girl saying to another “that Gracie | Thornton was going to give a birthday party the next evening.” Mattie thought no more about it, till on her way home a bright thought struck her; she walked more briskly and rushed into the house, exclaiming, “Oh, mother! Gracie Thornton is going to give a party to-morrow evening, and if I could only go.” Her mother looked at her in amazement, and said: “Why, Mattie, I don’t believe you want to go. Gracie Thornton belongs to a certain little ‘set’ who are wealthy and dress nicely like herself.” “But I don’t mean to go that way. I would like to go and help them some way. help pass refreshments, something like that. Mother, I want to see their elegant house, and then I can put it in my story, to brighten it up. Don’t you think you can help me?” pleaded Mattie. Col. Thornton was a wealthy banker then, had a fine residence and grounds. Mrs. Van Wyck had taken some sewing to do for them, and this is how, Mattie thought perhaps, her mother might intercede for her. The next morning after she had gone to school, her mother went over to ask Mrs. Thornton what Mattie could do, telling her that she greatly desired to help in some way. Mrs. Thornton was a kind, motherly woman, loved by all who knew her. She smiled, and told her to send the child over by all means; there might be something she could do, and she could enjoy the music. Mi’s. Van Wyck thanked her, and went home feeling too grateful to speak almost, knowing how pleased Mattie would be. Mattie’s wardrobe was very limited. Her mother got out her best dress, a black cashmere that she had worn two winters, mended it in one or two places, then washed and ironed a little muslin apron, and waited to tell her the good news. Mattie clapped her hands for joy when her mother told her, and was so excited she could scarcely eat her dinner. Evening came at last. Mattie put on her black dress and muslin apron; her mother looked through all her boxes, and found a piece of scarlet ribbon, just wnat she needed with her pale face, gray eyes, and brown, wavy hair. Mattie pinned it at her throat, and looked very pretty indeed. She kissed her mother, and, promising not to stay late, started for the Thornton mansion. In her eagerness to finish her story she had thought of nothing else; but as she neared the house and saw it brilliantly lighted, and some of the little guests were beginning to arrive, she was seized with fear and trepidation. She passed by two or three parties, but was as unnoticed as if she had been a little autumn leaf rustling along. Once she thought she would turn back, then, thinking of her story, if she could be successful how much she would do, drew her shawl closer about her and hurried round to the diningroom door and was admitted. Mrs. Thornton was helping her daughter receive her guests, so Mattie sat down and waited to be useful. The dining-room door was partially open; she could hear the hum of voices and peals of merry laughter; it seemed like fairyland to her. The little hostess was tastefuHy attired in a white Swiss dress, with natural flowers; there was Gertie Manning, looking lovely in an embroidered Swiss overdress over pink silk, and Maud Leslie in a white tulle with a big sash, and Dot Kennington, a little brunette, in crimson silk resembling a tropical flower; and ever so many more. The boys were in dress suits, with white neckties and pumps; and as they commenced to promenade through the rooms Hattie’s cheeks began to burn; she felt very uncomfortable, and wished she was at home with her mother, brother and sisters. Presently Mrs. Thornton came out and ! greeted her with a smile, and putting her arm around her told her to come into the parlors, as they going to dance the german, and asked her if she wouldn’t like to see them and hear the music? She thought she would, very much. Near the door was the musicians'stand, they were almost concealed by a bank of ferns, calla lilies and vines. Mattie sat at one end where she could see the merry throng and not be seen, and told Mrs. Thorson she preferred this place to any other. The band was playing one of Strauss’ waltzes, and as the dancers glided in and out through the mystic mazes, Mattie sat with her hands clasped thrilled with rapture. The perfume of evening jessamine and tube-roses filed the air; the lights cast a rosy hue over the happy scene; smilax was twined over the lace curtains, and bouquets of roses were in every nook and corner. After a while there was a stir in the dining-room, and Mattie went out to see what she could do. Mrs. Thornton, noticing her flushed cheeks and anxious manner, told her she could help serve refreshments, if she wished. Mattie rather dreaded meeting her haughty little schoolmates, wondering what they would say; but she was determined in her purpose, and went quietly along. Some of them glanced wonderingly at her, and one or two gave her a suspicious little stare, but the ordeal was soon over; and when the musicians took their seats again, and then there was a general bustling about, Mattie, slipped quietly out and ran home. The days passed swiftly by, school was out, and the holidays were near at hand, the store windows were full of

tempting articles, wax dolls with re hair, dainty work-baskets lined witi crimson silk, and some with blue sil, each with a thimble, pair of scissorsand all the equipments for an industn ous little girl; and there were sleds an hobby-horses for the boys, and Johnni had spied in the next window a pair o boots with red tops that he though would just fit him. AmyXhad seen som< mittens like Kitty Myers', that sh coveted: and Madge a story-bool in the book-store Window, with a piture of a happy family on the outside, sitting around a table reading by lamplight. It reminded her of their even ings at home, and she thought it would be a nice book to have. Mattie’s story was completed at last, and one morning, when she was going on an errand for her mother, sh* tucked it in her pocket, and, stopping on her way, entered the Pioneer office. There were several gentlemen in, discussing the topics of the day. The editor came forward and asked her what she would like. She asked him if he wished to buy a story. He began to murmur something about an “oversupply,” when her slender figure and wau face attracted his attention. He took the story, telling her he had not time to read it then, but if she would leave her name he would look it over. She gave her address and left, performed her errand and went home. Mattie and her mother were very busy, even the younger ones assumed little responsibilities, and all were as busy as bees. Day after day passed till there were only two before Christmas. Mattie had been to the office time and time again, but no word from her story. She had almost given it up, when, one evening about dusk, as she was taking some sewing home to a lady oh Summit avenue, she thought she would try once more. There was no need to give her name, for as soon as her eager face appeared, a large envelope was handed her, and Mattie knew she had received her doom. The stores were beginning to be lighted and people were hurrying to and fro with suspicious-looking bundles; an air of mystery prevailed. No one was more mysterious than Mattie as she made her way through the jostling crowd. She went straight to her room, lighted her candle, and opened her letter; when, what should fall to her feet but two new crisp $5 bills! Her happiness was unbounded; her plans could all be carried out. And what a merry Christmas they had. Johnnie scrambled out of bed as soon as he heard the fiust rooster crow to see what Santa Claus had brought him; when the first thing that caught his eyes was a pair of red-topped boots; “Just like those he saw in the window,” he said. And there was a book for Madge, mittens for Amy, a new dress for Mattie, and fancy bags of popcorn and candy for them all. There was no more sleep in the Van Wyck household that morning. Mrs. Van Wyck was putting on her last shoe, when she uttered a little scream and they all ran to see what was the matter. When she examined it she found something rolled up in tissue paper which she had supposed was a sly little mouse. Undoing the paper a $5 bill rolled out; then they all clapped their hands and showed each other their presents.” When dinner time came, their mother said she had a surprise for them. They all sat down to the table. She went into the kitchen and brought in a fine roasted turkey; and they peeped under a snowy napkin, and there was a large frosted cake, with frosted raisins on top. They were a happy family that day, and no one in the whole town was as radiant as Mattie Van Wyck; for she had found out that “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” — Chicago Ledger.