The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-03-19

old bed room, with its quaint chest O
drawers, its curtained bedstead and it.
old table and chairs and desk so deal
to him. Another day passed, and still
the storm ragged; the plans for change!
were continued, and the old man was
made to feel that not q foot of the land
belonged to him, and hardly the chair
he sat in.
Not that Jim and Eliza were unkind
to him, or the children less respectful,
but the very atmosphere of the place
seemed changed to him, and he went
to bed at least an hour earlier than
usual. Jim said to Eliza: "Father
don't seem as chirk as usual; hope he
hasn't taken any cold. But he's an old
man and it can't be expected that he'll
last much longer. I saw him looking
at mothers and sister Mary's pictures
this afternoon. He'll join 'em soon. -
And the good wife looked as if she
would say "Amen!" but like wise
woman she kept silence, answering only
by an affirmative nod.
On the third day, however, the sun
shone bright and clear, and the SHOWS
had fallen in just sufficient quantities to
make good sleighing. Jim was early
astir and had the paths all broken out
and arrangements made for cutting the
pine woods the next day, and the house
hold were jubilant over the return of
sunshine. But "grandpa" sat silent
in his armchair and thought: "Shall 1
let things remain as they-are? Shall I
give up my bedroom, let my woods
my pride-be cut down? Yes, yes, yes,
am an old man. l shall soon 60. I'd
better let the young ones have their way,
even to giving up my dear bedroom.
Only little while shall I remain; give
me peace while I do.''
Dinner came in due season, and then
Mr.. Lamson thought it would do him
good to take sleigh-ride to the store"
and. see his old friends. So he walked
out to the barn where Patrick was feed
ing the cattle, and told him to harness
the old mare.
"A1r. Jim just told me to harness her
for him; he and his wife are going to
the corner, "said Patrick.
"Wel, let him take Dick or Tom. I
want my old mare, and you bring her
said the old man as he turned
away and went into his bedroom to put
On his outer garments. As he strug-
gled into his coat he heard Patrick bring
up the sleigh, and tell Jim what he had
said about going to the store.
"Hey? what's that?" asked Jim;
g wanted to go to the store? Well,
hell have to wait till another afternoon.
Come along, Eliza; bring the children;
tumble in there, Jimmie. I guess
will wait this time. He drives
too much for his health, any
way"
And away they went, leaving the old
nan a prey to disturbing thoughts.
Could it be that his son Jim could treat
Tim like that? its
For an hour or two he sat in silent
bought; then took up the newspaper
o entertain him. But it had lost its
power, he could not read, and was, at |
asst, forced to go to the barn and look at
he stock, and talk to Patrick, who was
cry ready to tell him of all the work
hat had been already laid out for the
coming spring. Mr.. Lamson heard
i'm in silence, and asked no questions,
or his heart was weary with heaviness,
nd he could not rouse himself enough
o take any interest in the conversation
nd soon returned to the house.
Before the family returned, however,
le had determined upon the course he
would take. Jim had commenced alto
ether too strong, and had evidently
orgotten that the deed was unsigned,
n truth, it would have been signed
nd recorded at once if Mr.. Munroe
lad not urged him so strongly to keep
he reins in his own hands. Although
yer eighty years of age, he was shrewd
nd thoughtful still, and he felt that
title trial Of the change would not
ONE amiss. He would have seen the
line trees cut down without murmur,
nd perhaps have given up his bedroom
or the good of the farm; but when his
II Lok Ii L. 1..r~,. 81, CStoo,