Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-30

MRS. FLOWERS FURS.


fashioned open fire before it round table
on which stood generous pitcher of ci-
der, plate Of rosy checked apples, and
basket of nuts. Two persons were seat
ed within the ruddy glow of the firelights;
one hale, hearty man of sixty-kindly.
vigorous sixty; and the other dame, ten
years younger. Time had touched her
lightly; her bright blue eyes shone as
clearly as they did twenty years before,
and. though her round cheeks were wrin-
kled, pretty color fingered on them yet,
and her smiling lips gave good warrant OF
a loving heart.
"Got all your cloths ready for your trip,
mother p, questioned Mr.. Flowers, in a
tone of interest.
why no, father" replied she: "I'ye
just begun to think about making them
The pair were childless, but years ago
little darling had been theirs; and the
fond habit of styling each other ''father'
and ''mother," which they had acquired
during its short life, had never been
stopped.
'Mean to make pretty good show,
don't you? pursued Mr. Flowers, peeling
an apple and handing it to his spouse.
''Yes, do" returned she, decidedly.
Laura shan't feel ashamed of her country
aunt if can help it and fine clothes count
everywhere. Pm going to write to-mor-
row, to see if can't get that dressmaker
from Masonville. They say she always
has city patterns, SO Iguess she can make
me look as near like city folks as any one
can. But it will take a deal of money,
father" And a shade passed over her
face as she turned it toward him. "You
say you want me to 60 and have good
time. 1t won't be good time if don't
have the things ! want, and they'll take
deal of money"
The farmer was just in the act of rails
ing mug of cider to his lips. He put it
down untasted, and grayely surveying his
wife, asked earnestly:
'Do | ever begrudge you anything.
Mary ?n
claw no, bless you dear p said she.
heartily. There isn't man in the coun-
try so ready to give to his wife as you.
was just thinking it might seem kind OF
wasteful"
"Pooh pooh ~ said he. "Why shouldn't
you have your pleasure? Spend all you
want, and more too-there's no waste
about it. We've neither chick nor child
to save for-suppressing sigh-"Our
niece was brought up with full and plenty
at her fathers house, and now she's mar
ried rich man so there's no need to care
for her. And why shouldn't you enjoy
yourself? l want my old woman to turn
out as we'll as the best of EN-"
''Well, father" she returned, yielding
the point with the air of one quite willing
to be convinced. ''if it is your will and
wish, and my will and wish, don't see
but what you're right in what you say
about my having my pleasure along with
other folks" And she quaffed her cider
with satisfaction and content.
Her husband regarded her with
twinkle in his eye. ''Now confess, Mary,
from girl you have had a fondness for
fine clothes, haven't youP You didn't
often give way to it, but there it is.''
She blushed lttle-albeit her fifty
winters-and moved uneasily on her chair.
He laughed and continued
There's handsome furs, now, for one
thing. You've been hankering for real
out-and-out set for years."
She started. "Why father, how in the
wide world did you ever guess that P" And
she stared at him in open-eyed wonder.
He chuckled. 81 was in the next room
the other day when you and your old
crony, Nancy Jones, were talking about
the furs her cousin from town had on. 1t
beats me" Gin tone of contempD show
Nancy does 60 on about that woman.
There amt thing about her but her
clothes, and to hear Nancy talk, you
would think nobody could come nigh her.
heard what my little woman said, plain
enough-'Ive wished for such set all my
days, but expect to take it out in wish
ing There's the exact words for you,
and they were said in a dreadful longing
way, too"-gazing at his wife with laugh
ing eyes. She fidgeted and looked away.
ut was foolish speech, Reuben. OF
course never really thought of having
such things. People often wish for things.
you know, that they never expect to
have.'
"And why shouldn't you have them -
he asked coolly.
Law, father? have 'em? Why, did
you hear what Nancy said such furs cost ?'
"Yes," replied he, beginning on plate
of nuts; "she said they cost four hundred
dollars"
"Well!' said she, impatiently," that
settles it, should think"
Mr.. Flowers put his nuts back on the
table, poured out mug of cider for his
wife and another tor himself, watched her
| W
did rather reluctantly, and then, after
taking his own with an air of thorough en-
Ijoyment, slowly produced fro m the depths
of his pocket y mysterious roll.
when l went to Masonville to-dav,"
said he, II drew this out of the bank for
an especial purpose and forthwith he
counted on her knee four hundred dollars
in crisp, new notes then slapping her on
the shoulder, and bestowing an affection
ate kiss on her cheek, he added: There,
Mrs. Flowers, that's for your iurs, every
cent of it, won't have my wife craving a
thing, and going without it, If can get it
for her."
The recipient of these marks of love
gasped for breath. partly from the shock,
partly from the slap, looked at the donor,
then at the notes, pressed them with stiff,
outstretched fingers. and then suddenly
throwing an arm around the farmers
neck, buried her head in his beard and
neck-cloth and sobbed ont f
"Oh. Reuben you're too good to me-
you are! you are!'
III.
After the excitement of the gift was
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