Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-02-17

his poor appetite, but guessed that
he was get ting dyspeptic.
Two Christmas seasons had gone
by since Frank Raymond had left
home.
His mother had heard from him
many times in the interim. The
wife of Franks employer, had writ
ten several letters, speaking in high
terms of commentator Of Frank,
and telling how much confidence her
husband reposed in him.
He was working hard, saving his
wages to 90 to school when he had
eaned enough. Once he wrote:
"You might give my love to faith
er, if he would care /; but he would
not l suppose"
And his mother accidentally, left
that letter where her husband would
be sure to pick it up, and came back
just in time to see him give it toss
on the table as she opened the door,
with a muttered expression, sound
ing like:
Poor, foolish boy ~
October came again. Two years
since Frank Raymond left home.
Deacon Raymond was taken sick.
He was not dangerously sick, but a
little ailing he said, and he would
stop work for few days.
He would not have doctor, and
Mrs. Raymond fixed various harm
less doses for him, but he felt no
better. His wife watched his case,
and was sure the trouble was of a
mental nature.
MARY" he said one evening after
he had hung about the house for
week, in an aimless, dispirited way,
81 am afraid | was little too close
with our boy. l was saving for him,
but maybe if I'd given him a little
more liberty he would have stayed
at home"
Mary Raymond's heart beat high,
but she dared not trust her heart.
A long pause ensued, then the old
deacon asked:
'Do you think he would return,
Mary, if should send for him ?"
81 feel sure that he would" his
wife answered, in low tone.
The deacon frightened up.
"I'll tell you what we will do"
he said eagerly, "we'll fix that south
front chamber for him. Use your
good taste and make the room as
pretty as it can be made. You shall
have all the money you need, and
get things that are good. Get pic
lures, book case full of books, and
well, you know what he will like.
I'll see if we can't have our boy once
more. 1t was a mistake. | see it
now. l was too hard with him, but
thought must hold a tight reign,
or he would go to ruin; the wonder
is that he wasn't ruined from the
course | took with him."
The deacon had found a potent
remedy for his ailment, and he con-
valesced rapidly.
He was able to oversee the repair
ing Of the chamber.
Fresh paint, with delicate paper
On the walls; soft, mossy-looking
carpet, that harmoniZed with the
paper, then costly set of furniture
with the upholstering to correspond.
Blue and drab were the prevailing
tints, Franks favorite colors. Cur
tains of delicate drab hung in rich
folds from the window, garnished by
blue lambrequins and inner curtains
of frosty lace.
Fine paintings and engravings
were hung upon the walls. A richly
carved walnut bookcase in one cor
ner of the room showed a carefully
selected collection of books for
study and recreation. There was a
violin in another corner to crafty
Franks oft repeated wish for one;
and there were brackets, and busts
and various ornaments in profusion.
Mrs. Raymond had transformed the
room into an enchanted chamber.
When the south chamber was in
readiness, the deacon proposed that
the parlor and sitting room should
be freshened and refurnished, and a
piano was placed in the parlor. The
~.