The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-12-09
Mamma, is 1t mornin' 7"

but there was fire In the stove, for the woman
at the pine table was ironing by the light OF
glimmering tallow candle.
There was no breeze but in at the one win
dow came sitting, poisonous odors.
Pale and faint, the mother bent over her
work, and smoothed the dark calico dress as
carefully as II 1t we're the finest muslin and
lace. She had worked from. early dawn until
dark at her daily task, button holes at four
cents dozen. A cupof tea and crust Of bread
had been her sustenance. For Dot there was
bun and an orange.
The dress was finished and hung on the only
chair In the room, with several other small
articles. A hat of coarse white straw, with
blue ribbon twisted around it, pair of bright
stockings, a tiny handkerchief with bit OF
color In the border All were pittifully cheap
In texture, but dear In patient toll and loving
sacrifice. Dot was going to the country for
two long, blissful weeks, and the mother could
cover the expense of the meager outfit by some
extra deprivation during the childe absence.
She turned toward the pallet. Dots violet
tangled by the tossing of the little head on the
pillow. Her thin, pinched features were
flushed with feverish exci,e nent
mamma, is it mornin'f'
mo, darling"
The woman blew out the light and threw
herself on the pallet. Tiny fingers crept
eagerly into her palm.
mamma, tell me more about It," pleaded
Dot
"Darling, 1t is years and years since mamma
saw the country, but it was just as Pve told
you. Wide, clean streets, with big trees and
blue sky aud flowers"
80, oh % murmured Dot. "Does you 'spose
they'll give me one flower, mammal l found
one on the sweet once-a little white flower.
A lady dropped it,"
s'Yes, dear, you'll have all the flowers you
want. Don't talk any more tonight"
Il l. .~sslk - l.
The mother did not sleep. As the light of
another day of misery crept into the room, she
raised herself on one elbow and looked long
at her child, restraining an impulse to snatch
1t 10 her heart then softly rose, and after
bathing her face and hands and kneeling in
prayer for endurance, took her work and sat
down BY the narrow window. A few hours
later she stood amid the hustle OF the Grand
Central Depot with Dot clinging to her dress.
A crowd of wondering, expectant children
were being marshalled into line to take their
places on the eastward bound train.
"Come," said the kind gentleman in charge,
to Dot.
Dot kissed her mother 'sgood-by," and
laughed even while the tears ran down her
face, as she entered the ranks of the odd pro-
cession.
80, STRIP said the mother as she turned
away, stake good care Of my baby. I've
nothing else in the world"
H.
There was an unusual stir In the village Of
Lynford. The railway station was thronged
with people, and surrounded by vehicles
awaiting the afternoon train.
Rev. Joseph Alder and the ministers OF
sister churches conversed together on the
platform.
"A glorious charityl' said the Baptist min
lister, raising his hat to wipe the perspiration
from his brow.
ar ~ A. u:
great blessing to our people," said the Meth
odist minister sin broadening the sympathies
and warming the hearts of some who have
been oblivious to all interests save their own /"
''Yes," replied Rev. Mr. Alder, ~ have
practical illustration of that, not a stones
throw from where we are standing"
The practical illustration" consisted OF
the Roxbury rockaway drawn up amid the 9th
er conveyances, with Miss Reliance on the
back seat, in q state of mind in which newly
hedged philanthropy struggled with terror
OF ragamuffins She had come to the conclusion
that her visit to the parsonage had been made
during an atfackof mental alteration; but the
word OF Roxbury was as immovable as the
historic granite on which Zephaniah Roxbury
stepped from the Mayfower in 1929, and the
last representative of the race would not falter
now, although seized with dire apprehension
whenever her eyes rested on the verbena bed
| 1t was with grim determination to brave
-
moor, but when the locomotive appeared on
the bridge below the village, the thought of
the dreadful boy who was coming to invade
her peaceful domain nearly overcame her, and
her impulse was to order the hired man to
drive home as quickly as possible. She could
appreciate the emotions OF Roman dame at
the approach Of the Vandals.
As the train stopped at the station the
people crowded forward to welcome their
guests. Miss Roxbury peered anxiously from
the rockaway. 1t was not q very appalling
sight. A group of pale little children, tired,
dusty and bewildered. Many eyes overiowed
as the train moved on and left these wistfui
faces, pinched BY want and misfortune, in the
midst OF the kindly villagers.
Here, Miss Roxbury, is wee lamb for
you," said Mr.. Adler.
Miss Roxbury had not observed his approach
In the crowd, and gave a start OF surprise as
he stood before her. As she looked, there was
curious sensation under the left side OF her
Grape shawl, and her cold gray eyes grew misty.
| The dreadful boy" had changed into tiny
| girl of six years, as frail as snowdrop, whose
coarse attire c,uld not mar the loveliness Of
| her dark violet eyes and hair OF tangled SUM-
beams. The little creature stretched out her
arms to Miss Roxbury, who reached forward
| and took her into the rockaway, the ancient
springs of which creaked with ssto nishment.
"What is your namel" said Miss Roxbury,
feeling strangely awkward, as they drove
| along.
"Dot," said the child. 'You hasn't kissed
me yet, has your
| Miss Roxbury bent and kissed the child The
rockaway creaked louder than before. The
| touch Of the chiId's mouth thrilled through
the iron nerves ofthe woman with sensation
inexpressibly delightful
Miss Roxbury had imagined her life to be .
happy one. She now discovered that she had
mistaken selfish isola ion for happiness. She
was beginning to be happy for the first time in
fifty years. Dot was too tired to be very
talkstive, but she leaned against Miss Rox-
bury with look Of quiet wonder and content
| In her eyes.
us goin' to stay here ~ she asked, as the
rockaway stopped At the Roxbury gate, and
she surveyed the OIL stone house with wood
bine clambering over its gray walls.
| Eyes, childn
Dots face grew luminous. A bath, q bouu-
tiful supper Of bread and milk aud walk in
the garden kept her joyful until twilight, but
with bedtime came the longing for her mother.
~ wants my mamma-my own mamma, -
she said.
1 n