Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-08-25

1 r1ght!' Whereup0n Mr.. Young and Jim
nodded, in perfect concurrence with that
opinion. bfnn 4 r-r
Mrs. Young's face. flushed with pleas
ure. and the rebellions Thoughts that
had been her guests all day retreated
into the background; for where is the
really good woman who can listen to
merited praise from husband and chill
dren without having strength renewed
to fight the battle of life. ot
Tea over, Mr.. Young and the bows
went out TO see to the horse and COW.
and Mrs. Young busted herself clearing
the table, and putting cups, plates.
knives and forks, back in their places
once more.
Poor old Johnr' she thought. ..he
looks worried and tired; i suppose he
feels anxious about his mother. Well,
after all. she IS his mother, and 1 ought
to be willing to do what can, for him;
for John is all the boy she has, and even
if she is a little queer and trying, guess
i can get along for Joints sake. What
If Ihad but one boy, and some woman
should come between him and me, and
refuse in my old age to give me a chair
IN the ey-corner-how should L
feelP' L do hate to have my home
changed, and its peace disturbed; but il
seems to be my duty-so l shall do it -
| When John and the boys came in from
the barn, the lamp was lighted, and the
table with its bright red cloth looked
inviting, and so did Mrs. Young's
! cheerful face; and the magazine was
read aloud, while mother's'' busy
fingers flew rapidly. and the homely
useful stocking grew as the evening
waned.
After the boys had hidden their pa
rents goodnight, and gone numbering
noisily up stairs, Mr.. and Mrs. Young
sat for some time silent. Mr.. Young
was buried in thought, and Mrs. Young
was watching him. At last she spoke:
John" softly, 81 think YOU had
best bring mother right away-TDl
willingr'
John turned quickly and looked at his
wife keenly. WHY, Julie, what has
turned your tunep Thought you didn' t
want mother here"
"Well, didn't, John; but I've been
thinking the matter over, and it seems
to be my duty. aud so don't let us talk
about it any more"
. 1t will be hard winter, Julie" said
her husband. Il shall be more than
usually hard up What with paying
for the new saw and betting, l sha'n
have much money to spare. Mother
never did treat you right, l must own,
and she is little trying still; so think
well of it. little woman If it's going
to make you unhappy to have her here,
why she will have to GO and board with
Uncle John on the farm; can't afford
to have your home destroyed, even for
mother"
! 81 have thought it all over, John, and
we will do our best; so Just 90 over to
c. tomorrow and bring her home"
1t was n sacrifice. Every one who
knew how unhappy jules early mar
RED life had been, knew it was. John
knew it at least, and fully appreciated
his wife's sterling sense of honor. A
big lump arose in his throat as he looked
fondly at her, and remembered her
trials in days gone by; and n suspicious
moisture dimmed the brightness of his
kind, dark eye, as he stopped and kissed
her, without a word.
But she understood. Oh yes, she un-
| derstood, and little bird began to sing
in her honest heart, and the voice of
complaint was silent and ashamed.
The next day John drove over to
C, and ut noortime returned with
his mother, a woman large and stout,
but prematurely helpless from Il stroke
of paralysis, which rendered her move
ments somewhat slow and labored.
have heard it Somewhere stated that
stout people are usually amiable, and
only the thin and small are sour of Wis
! age and fretful of temper. Be that as
it may, Mrs. Young was certainly stout
and just rs certainly owned a peevish
and dissatisfied expression, which in no
wise belied her disposition. Husband
and children had felt the fun discom-
fort of her words; and Julie being law
ful and legitimate victim, had been
madesto smart kecnly.l But that was all
over long ago.
Mrs. Julie went to the door, and met
her mother-in-law as kindly and cour-
teously as though they had always been
the warmest and most harmonious of
friends. ''Come right IN here, moth
err she said. opening the door of the
sitting-room. 81 was afraid YOU might
be little cold; the DAYS are getting
chilly, SO had this fire built. Come
and sit down in this comfortable chair,
and will take your things up- stairs''
" Goodness, Julia" said the old lady,
sharply, don't make such baby of
me; I'm not quite n child. It's not cold
at all; should roast before that fire.
Where are you going to put me? I'll
60 to my room and put my own things
away" 60 = ss7
"Oh. If you prefer to 90 up stairs,
come, and will show you,' and with
no outward show of displeasure Julie
took shawl over her arm, satchel in
her hand. and led the way. 1--WE
fixed up this room for you because it
was SUNNY she said, cheerfully, placing
the shawl over n chair, and setting the
satchel on the table. 81 thought, and
so did John, that you would like this
best. because it is so much warmer. and
looks out on the mill, where you can
see John almost every day. Can help
youPn she added - ,,-----------
No. thank you; but you may send
John TO open my trunks"
SoJuliewithdrew. alittledisappointed