Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-07-08

TO the second time that he fairly under
stood. He sat up to the table, and a
softer shade rested upon his features as
be cast his eyes over the board. The
snowy cloth, the clear dishes, the steam
ing tea pot. and light. rick looking toast.
and, above all, the lovely presence that
presided over the scene, were new things
in that heretofore cherries home. Kate
helped him to a plate of toast, and to a
cup of tea, and the shade upon his face
grew softer, as lie tasted the well pre-
pared food.
"Don't you remember this cream
pitcher, and this sugar bowl, Uncle Ab
salom?" Kate asked, as she helped him
to second plate of toast.
He looked at them, and after while
he said:
"They do look familiar, Kate"
"Ay. uncle, you have seen them of
ten before. Your kind old mother al
ways used them while she lived, and
when she died she gave them to my
mother. l love them now, for they are
dOubly dear to me, bringing back TO my
mind one of the best of grandmothere,
and one of the most true and faith
fol mothers.'
Absalom Burr gazed upon the me-
mentoes, and moisture gathered in his
eyes. but twas not quite enough to form
lear.
"Now, uncle" spoke Kate, as they
were about to arise from the table, "isn't
this better than cold bread and water"
"Why, yes, it tastes a little better, but
it costs more, Kate"
''No. no, my uncle, it dosen't cost so
much. Ii may take little more mon
ey, but look at the comfort and satisfac-
ton which it affords, and which would
be lost without it. What is money good
for, if we cannot purchase comfort with
il? Who SO poor as be who has no com
fort and no Joy? But l know what you
mean. You would be prudent and saw
and so we will be; and yet we will
have some comfort. too
The table was soon cleared away, and
tn n Kate proceeded 10 wash her dishes.
After this she sat down and conversed
with her uncl', and for two hours she
entertained him with accounts of her
own and her parents experience. When
bedtime came she found her cot ready
for her, and though she saw plainly
how she conld better it, yet she said
nothing. She put her arms about her
uncle's neck, and having kissed him,
she said:
GOOD night, uncle. God bless and
keep you" And then she took her can
die and went away to bed, leaving the
old man to find his way by the light Of
the fire.
How those words hung in the old man S
mind.
How strange and sweet they were,
and how many long years had passed
since h., had heard such words before
His thoughts went back TO the time
when his mother used TO kiss him at bed
time, and for the while he forget the
long, dark years that had passed away
since those boyhood days. The old man
went to his bed and dreamed. He
dreamed that be was boy once more,
and that his mother was with lin, to
care for and love him.
In the morning be was aroused by the
notes Of sweet, blithe song. He start
ed up and listened, and he heard the
same beautiful song which his mother
used to sing in her happiest moments.-
lie aros. and dressed himself, and short
ly afterwards Kate came in. She had
built FIRE in the old fire place out in
the porch, and the coffee was already
made. She greeted the old man with a
happy smile, and another kiss. Her
cheeks were all aglow. and her face pre-
sented the very picture of health and
happiness.
A breakfast of dry toast and butter,
coffee and few biscuit, was soon on the
table, and as the old man sat down. that
shade upon his face grew softer STILL
After breakfast Kate came and put her
arms about his neck, and sail:
''Now, uncle, that you have female
in the hOu~e, you ought surely to slick
up little-enough for comfort, at any
rate. In the first place we want Just
seven panes of glass set. Now go to
the glazier and have this done at once;
for you know your own health and CON-
fort will be enhanced thereby"
"Yes-well-I have been thinking of
this some time, Kate, but it costs so
much -
"Never mind that, Uncle Absalom.-,
Let US first have those things which are
absolutely necessary to our health and
comfort, and then we will examine our
funds, and if we are likely to fall short,
we can cconomize in something else"
$50 we can," said the old man; and
thus speaking he left the house. In half
an hour afterwards the glazier came,
and before noon the windows were per
feet. !