The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-09-28

place and found we couldn't, and have
got so full of indignation at myself for
being 80 blind aud at mother for being SO
foolish, that shall burst it if don't out
with it"
''But we can't help it now, Kate,
ventured to demonstrate.
"No, of course we can't you goose.
The past is not ours, but the present as,
and the future may be. That is exactly
what am coming at. We must not let
father and mother die yet awhile"
"Die!' I exclaimed, shocked beyond
expression.
Eyes, Caddy, did not notice it any
more than you have, until the past two
weeks, but it seems to mo now that
could count every furrow in fathers
care.worn brow, and every thread of
mothers whitening hair They are old
beyond their years, Caddy. They nave
been worked to death, and because they
loved us so we'll as to bear it all
patiently, we never saw it.
Hates voice was oil of a tremble and
burst into tears.
Mother is an intelligent woman"
she went on in a moment, with mind
capable of rare development. But how
much time do you suppose she has had
for reading and reflections beyond the
wants and necessities of large family?
And don't you know, Cad, how often we
have excused ourselves from reading
aloud to her, letting her sit digging
away into this very basket, solitary and
alone through the long. evening hours?
I fairly hate myself now when think
of it,"
did too, by this time, and said so.
"But, Kate" I added, isn't there q
bright side to it somewhere?'
1--WE can make one," she answered,
decisively. 81 have been thinking of
that; how would it do to work and get
the house cleaning all done before she
gets home? 1t will be vacation next
week, and Rose and Nellie will be here
to help u.s."
To this plan gladly consented, and
then we went to bed When we arose
next morning it was with very different
views of life and its stern realities from
what we'had ever before. But were de-
termined to enter into the conflict armed
with u strength higher than our own and
through that to conquer. And we did.
Two weeks more and the house wore a
different aspect from garrett to cellar,
everything was as fresh and clean as
could be, and we'll repaid we felt for all
our toll. One spot in the house was an
especial attraction, and that was mothers
and fathers room; hitherto bare,
81 arsely furnished apartment, with the
same stamp of self-denial upon it there
had always been upon everything indi-
vidually their own, but now the most
CHEEKY, tastefully arranged of any room
in the house. We girls had planned the
renovation. and John, dear good honest
fellow, had lovingly paid the bills. And
now, with all in readiness for her com
ing, with q we'll cooked meal upon the
table, with an air of thriftiness upon
everything, which gave us the utmost
satisfaction, we looked for our mother
home. But when she came; when we
saw the dear face looking eagerly out OF
the carriage window to catch glimpse
of home and its treasured inmates, the
revulsion OF feeling was too much for us,
and we ran behind the door to hide the
tears. Such foolish thing. but we did
not stay there long. She called us as
she came in, and we came out of our
hiding place sill tear-stained as We were,
and greeted her. And such time as we
had taking her over the house and wit
Messing her delight and surprise,
mingled with little soft.hearted rebukes
for our working so hard while she was
gone But when she came upon her own
room, and her eyes fell upon the bright
new carpet, and the bed with its little
appointments, il WAS refreshing to hear
her exclaim over the extravaganza we
had been guilty of, and all for the sake
of woman who was fast growing old.
But oh, when we told her that we had
done 1t all that she might dwell in per-
petual youth; when We whispered in her
ear the lesson we had learned by putting
ourselves in her place, when we told her
what we proposed to do in the future,
that she might live, not asa slave but as
queen among her children, how her
heart melted into tears. and with what
manifest love she chung to us.
Aud as the years still come and go We
are reaping blessed recompense. The
rich reward Of the struggle with idleness
and indulgence we see before us in the
faces Of our beloved parents, where sits
. sweet content and beams look of
youth once more. They share with us
our pleasure and our entertain nents;
We share with them the otherwise soil.
tary hours, and in the interchange OF
thought and feeling, find wisdom We
could gain from no other source. Re-
ioicing in the knowledge that we are
something for them in the rugged pa.h-
way Of mortality, We feel our recompense
to I've 'incorruptible being assured 1t is a.
gold laid mp in the treasure house OF
~ l. I'll 4