that's willin' to help,
hol' up his hand."

A dozen grimy hands were waved on high, and offers of assistance
came from all sides. Mrs. Wiggs saw that now was the time to utilize
their enthusiasm.

"I'll go right back to the house, an' git Asia to write out the
tickets, an' all you boys kin sell ten apiece. Miss Hazy, you kin
come over an' help me git the house ready, an' we'll put Chris to
cleanin' lamp-chimbleys."

Under this able generalship, the work was soon under way; the boys
were despatched with the tickets, and the house was being put
straight--at least the parlor was. It would have required many
days to restore order to the chaos that habitually existed in the
house of Wiggs.

"Asia, you help me roll these here barrels out on the porch, an' I
'll mop up the floor," said Mrs. Wiggs. "Miss Hazy, you look 'round
in the kitchen, an' see if you can't find a taller candle. Seems
like I put one in the sugar-bowl--that's it! Now, if you'll jes'
cut it up right fine it'll be all ready to put on the floor when I
git done."

When the floor was dry and the candle sprinkled over it, Australia
and Europena were detailed to slide upon it until it became slick.

"Would you ast ever'body to bring a cheer, or would you have 'em
already here?" asked Mrs. Wiggs.

"Oh, le' 's bring 'em ourselves!" insisted Asia, who had been to a
church social.

So a raid was made on the neighborhood, and every available chair
borrowed and ranged against the parlor wall.

By noon the boys reported most of the tickets sold, and Mrs. Wiggs
received the funds, which amounted to six dollars.

It being a holiday, everybody was glad to come to the dance,
especially as the proceeds were to help little Miss Hazy.

At one time there threatened to be trouble about the music; some
wanted Uncle Tom, the old negro who usually fiddled at the dances,
and others preferred to patronize home talent and have Jake Schultz,
whose accordion could be heard at all hours in the Cabbage Patch.

Mrs. Wiggs effected a compromise. "They kin take turn about," she
argued; "when one gits tired, the other kin pick up right where he
left oft, an' the young folks kin shake the'r feet till they shoes
drop off. Uncle Tom an' Jake, too, is a heap sight better than them
mud-gutter bands that play 'round the streets."

"Wisht we could fix the yard up some," said Asia, when there was
nothing more to be done in the parlor.

"I got a Japanee lantern," suggested Miss Haz