CHAPTER XXIX.
EXPERIENCE IN TAKING BOARDERS.
I HAVE no experiences of my own to relate on this subject.

But I could fill a book with the experiences of my friends.

How many poor widows, in the hope of sustaining their families and educating their children, have tried the illusive, and, at best, doubtful experiment of taking boarders, to find themselves in a year or two, or three, hopelessly involved in debt, a life time of labor would fail to cancel.

Many, from pride, resort to this means of getting a living, because--why I never could comprehend--taking boarders is thought to be more genteel than needlework or keeping a small store for the sale of fancy articles.
The experience of one of my friends, a Mrs.Turner, who, in the earlier days of her sad widowhood, found it needful to make personal effort for the sustenance of her family, I will here relate.

Many who find themselves in trying positions like hers, may, in reviewing her mistakes, be saved from similar ones themselves.
"I don't know what we shall do!" exclaimed Mrs.Turner, about six months after the death of her husband, while pondering sadly over the prospect before her.