Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-06-02
SAW UP AND SAW DOWN.

look shabby, arkish."
"How. fatheli' asked one Of the three boys
who followed him in the survey.
"Arkish, my son, il looks as If itwere from
the ark-Quue outof date-we musthave new"
mot for the present, my dear" observed n
lady, rising from the breakfast table, and follow
ing on; ''lhis will answer forsome time TO come,
il is hardly ten years old, and you know how
handsome il was considered lhen."
"Yes, and do you remember how chicken
hearted YOU were-afraid it was beyond our
meansl" said the gentleman, chuckling; but il
looks old now, out Of date, at least beside our
cousin Madson's."
"Why make any one our Standard" asked
the wife. "Look at these three boys to provide
for" as she patted Phil's rly pate.
"Ah, we'll look out for them, lime enough for
that" he replied, as he com placently surveyed
them; shut we mus, not BE too snug; something
is due to our station;" upon which he drew him.
self up little pompously, perhaps"
ayes, to support it with sufficient economy to
lay up something for rainy days"
"Your rainy days, Janel the weather will take
areof itself" he said good naturedly, going out
Of The room; then thrusting his hand into the
door, added, al will sendlhepouer up with those
things f he is not too busy"
"Let the boys go, my DEAR" besought the la
dy-here are Madison and Philip, who would
give all the world for something to do"
"Yes, mother! yes, mother! let US gol" shout
ed the two.
"No, no, let the porter do those things-cou-
sin Madson's boys"
"Must not be patterns for ours" playfully in.
terruptedlhe wife, placing her hand on his mouth.
"But do you think it best for the boys TO gol
they can't bring it," ..
"Yes, father, yesl let US try; there's nothing
like trying, mother says" eagerly demanded
the two.
81 see mother is for your working; well, per-
haps it is for the best, under all circumstances.
Come with me;' and so from his handsome
parlors departed Mr.. Philip K, my father, rich
merchant, as the world reputed him, with his
two Oldest, Madison and Philip; pale, tender
boys, of ten and eight years. "
Some time passed away; and, although the
subject of new furniture was frequently brought
up, and cousin Madison Jones' sufficiently COM
mented upon, yet my mother never cordially as
sented to its being brought-not needing it, to
her, was synonymous with not buying it.
AT length, few days before Thanksgiving,
rocking chair, in the newest and easiest
style Of twenty-five years ago. entered the front
door, the precursor of handsome sci Of furni
ture for the parors. Our mother looked at it
somewhat ungracously, and drowned our ex
clanaons by her silence. Atdnner, when our
father appeared, he threw himself into it, saying
"Ah Jane, this is just what want this minute.
am shockingIy tired"
We looked at him, and there was strange
paeness about his mouth,
s.I- q. l.. 1. II
back, and looking into my mothers face as if
her full coincidence of opinion were only need
ed to complete his enjoyment. She smiled plea
sanity, then pressed her hand upon his forehead.
81 fear you are not WE'LL" she said tenderly,
"your head is very, rery hot"
My father was not well; he soon entered his
chamber, and the next day. and next, and next,
grew more sick. The three weeks which sue
ceeded, shall never forget-dreary, dreary,
dreary to me. the invalid boy, for was deprived
of my mothers care and presence, always so
necessary TO me before. How keenly did feel
that nobody was like my mother; never having
been able to engage in the active pursuits Of my
brothers. To sitby her side, with my little slate
or picture book was my chief delight. Some
times threaded her needle, or cut off an end,
or sewed on patchwork, thankful for the little
helps might afford her. Now was in the
nursery, almost alone; my brothers occasional
ly came to amuse me, but child as was, saw
that their hearts were not there-they we're
thinking of seds and snow balls. Nancy was
kind, but somehow Nancy had world to do,
when begged for story, or my squares want
ed bastng. You see have not forgot the tech
hicalilies of sewing, despite the love Of the mus
ty law books which line my office.
Three weary weeks-weeks Of anxiety and
painful solicitude, and faithful devotion on my
mothers part at the sick bed-but alas, skill, or
medicine, or nursing, or prayer, availed moth
ing. My father was sinking! Madison and
Philip were suffered to roam at large, freedom
which they enjoyed to the fullest extent The
servants went about on tip-toe, and whispered
one to the other. The doctor came otener.-
Strange faces appeared now and then in the en-
try. was left to take care Of myself until
Nancy put me into the parlor and told me to be
good boy. Soon gentleman came in, and
kindly taking me from the carpet, where had
sorrowiully laid down, placed me upon his knee,
calling me his 'Poor little boy" Cousin Mad
ison Jones entered, and he, so tall and big, who
never spoke to little children, patted me on the
arm, saying, "Ah! the poor little fellow; can't
realize it-no, no, " and then he suffered me to
take in my own hands his cane, his Brazilian
cane, with dogs head carved upon the top; the
cane which he had forbidden me to touch. The
cane pleased me but for moment; then look.
ed up into their faces to learn wherefore this ten.
derness. ifeltit meant something, sad some-
thing and instinctively called for my mother
"Poor little fellow, your mother can t come to
you," said the gentleman gently layingmy head
upon his bosom. sI.r1,a = III 's..a
"l'wish lcOud see my mother, !" | whispered,
with a choking in my throat. - .n.gW.'A
"Your mother, child no! don't ask for YOUR
mother; she don't want to see you,'a declared
Mr.. MadisontJ Jones, stopping in his walk across
The rnnm with q stern and chidinr lonl. NJ.