THE TRIBE OF REUBEN

HE tribe of Reuben lived in a straggling and uncomfortable fashion over on Dead Man's Flats. These lowlying stretches of swamp land were the pregnant nests of fever and malaria; diphtheritic and typhoidal germs were incubated there, and on their edge a few wretched cabins clung hesitatingly, with sometimes a pigpen abutting them, and sometimes a henroost, though the dwellers on Dead Man's Flats were famous rather for stealing poultry and anything else they could lay their hands on, than for honest thrift or care of any property belonging to them. Children swarmed in these cabins, some puny and starved-looking, others sturdy and strong, notwithstanding their miserable environment; pallid women with their hair done up in severe knots and their skirts kilted above slipshod feet, shuffled about doing their work, what there was of it, and men in shirt-sleeves with short pipes puffing vile tobacco, sat in the doorways and drowsed, or stood about and swore.

Near by, comparatively, on a rise of ground, stood a paper-mill, in which most of the men and boys, and the younger girls of the D. M. Flats, as they were called for shortness, earned such livings as they could. The livings would have been better had there been no gin-shops or "hotels" in the borough, and some of the poor bits of homes would have been brighter, if father had let beer alone.

On a higher level than the paper-mill stretched a fertile plain, where pleasant homes stood amid blooming flower patches, and away beyond this again were rounding hills and dimpling valleys, dotted with farms and twinkling at night with starry lamp-light from many bright windows.

In a household where both money and love were plenty, a household rich, therefore, and exceedingly blessed, a conference was being held one sultry morning over another and different household on Dead Man's Flats.

"I am tired of being pillaged in this way," said Judge Rainsforth, with great sterness. "Here are my Leghorns stolen again; our chickens and eggs are carried off under our very eyes, and the thief can belong only to that abominable, good-for-nothing tribe of Reuben. I shall set detectives on their track at once, and the first one that is caught shall go to jail, I promise you. Now, don't plead for them, Mary," addressing his wife, "I am out of patience with this weak condoning of crime. The family of Reuben Shreves are a disgrace to the community."

"The existence of such a hole as Dead Man's Flats is a disgrace to the community," said the wife, “but while it is there, we much expect to suffer from such prowlers as the Shreves tribe. I cannot imagine, John, why you accuse me of weakness. You are the soft-hearted member of this concern. I would gladly send all the little Shreves to an institution, put the father and mother in the penitentiary, and send the old grandmother to an almshouse for the rest of her life."

The Judge laughed. "Isn't that like a woman, now? Never anything half way with your sex. You're a queer lot, Mary. Meanwhile, I have lost my Leghorns, and I know the thief must be a person familiar with the premises and friendly with Rex, who is getting to be superannuated. I intend to invest in a spring-gun and a ferocious watchdog. This robbery shall have a stop put to it or my name's not John P. Rains forth. Hello, Pet, what's the matter? What have you to propose, darling?"

Kate Rainsforth, generally known in the family as "Pet," had a petition to urge.

"Papa," she said, her silvery voice vibrating, her dark eyes shining, both little hands clasped on his arm, "Let

me try what I can do for those poor people. They need the Christian religion down there. They need a friend. Give me leave to try what I can do for the Shreves."

"Kate," the Judge answered gravely, "that family is not fit to tie your shoes. You are too good, too dainty, too pure to breathe such air as theirs. I don't like to deny you anything, but I cannot have you getting typhoid fever in Dead Man's Flats."

"I will use every precaution; I will be more than careful. I will do my very best to keep well. But, before any more of the Shreves are shut up in jail, do let some of us see what we can devise to awaken their self-respect."

Judge Rainsforth gave in, as he always did when Pet begged a favor. Her mother, who always did the same, contented herself with saying that Pet must wear camphor gum in the bosom of her frock, and take a bath immediately on her return from her expeditions, and she would interfere to put an end to the folly, the moment she saw any symptoms of danger in Pet's condition.

Pet kissed both parents, ran upstairs to her beautiful room, knelt down and said her prayers.

"I'm surprised, Papa Rainsforth," said the mother, "that you did not withhold your consent from Pet's preposterous request. You ought to have said 'No' at once. But you never have any backbone when it comes to a struggle with Pet."

"And I," said the husband, "am simply amazed, Mamma Rainsforth, that you cannot control your own only daughter. I looked at you, expecting you to shake your head, or make some sign, but you wore the expression of the sphinx. I don't believe in giving Pet her head, but what can I do, when she comes with that soft, sweet, coaxing way of hers? If she were a boy, she'd fare very differently, but a man must indulge his young daughter, as a matter of course. The government of this family depends on you, Mary Josephine, and you know it."

The Judge passed a caressing hand over his wife's brown hair, and kissed her smooth forehead. She blushed and laughed like a girl.

"We're a foolish pair, Jack," she answered, gazing fondly at the strong, fine face bent above her. "God grant our folly may not injure Pet."

"Pet is in God's hand," said the Judge. "She is right, too. Dead Man's Flats is a menace to everything good, and a hotbed for everything bad in this county, and somehow we ought to change its conditions. It's a big undertaking though, and Pet's little hands won't accomplish much. I tell you she's a brave girl to tackle that tribe of Reuben."

"I was afraid she'd ask to go and live in Rivington Street, New York, at the College Settlement, or at Hull House, in Chicago," said the mother, "and I'd rather keep my bonny maid at home with me for awhile. I'll watch over and help her, John, all I can and so I am sure you will-bless her heart!"

"Bless her heart and her mother's heart, to be sure I will," said the judge.

Meanwhile Pet was making her plans.

The first time that Kate Rainsforth knocked at the door of Mrs. Shreves in the middle of a Monday morning, the door was shut in her face. She had chosen the wrong time for a visit. Mrs. Shreves was at the washtub. Her youngest baby was sprawling on the floor. Two older children were quarreling over bread and molasses. A boy of twelve was swinging on the gate, and on the post sat a girl of nine years, with untidy hair and a torn apron.

"Say, Missus," said the latter, "if you're after kids to go to Sunday school, this ain't your shop."

"I am not looking for kids to go to Sunday school," answered the young lady. "I am making friendly calls, and I will come again when your mother is not so busy."

She passed on, smiling back over her shoulder at the surprise in the faces by the gate. Lizzie and Tommy stared after her and at each other, open-mouthed.

"She's nice!" said Lizzie gravely. "Wot a pretty dress she's got on, and that sunshade, oh! it's sweet!"

Lizzie's mind had received an impression. So had Tom's. He suddenly jumped from the gate and ran helter skelter after the lady.

"Say!" he shouted. "Say, lady! Won't yer gimme some new clothes; these is the best I've got. I ain't got no better pants than these. I'd go to Sunday school if I had decent clothes."

Kate stopped and looked at him. She saw a dirty boy, with a rough mop of black hair, and a pair of great black eyes. It was a keen, intelligent face that returned her gaze without anything sly or covert.

Kate took a dainty card from her pocketbook. "I wouldn't insult you by giving you a new suit," she said, "but if you'll come to my house, and ask for me, I'll put you in the way of earning a fine suit. I'll let you work for me every morning, and you shall be well paid."

The boy's brow clouded. "I'd do it, and be glad to," he said, "but marm would take the money as fast as I earned it. I couldn't hide it from her, she'd get it when I was asleep, and if pop found it out, he'd take it and drink it up."

"You and I shall be partners," said the young lady holding out her hand. "The money you earn, I'll drop for you into a money pig in my room, or rather you shall drop it in yourself. When there is enough to pay for the clothes I'll go to the shop with you and we'll see about them together."

"Honest Injun?" asked the boy, eagerly.

"Honest Injun!" said the lady, solemnly.

It was a bargain. For the next fortnight Tommy Shreves spent several hours a day weeding flower borders