Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-05-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
Mamie's Dream

to see the sunshine that edged through
the tangled vines that grew luxuri-
antly in mammals hanging basket.
No! She had no room in her heart
for pleasant thoughts, even noisy
Bijou, in his cage, sadly annoyed her
by his trills and MARBLES, his greeting
to the sunshine.
Manic was cross. Mamma refused
to allow her to go skating and coast
ing with some little friends who called
for her. The scarlet fever was abroad
and mamma guarded we'll her one wee
girl, and she feared to have her out
in the cold and snow.
Mamie was usually of a bright
happy disposition. but clouds hid the
sunny CLEAN in the blue eyes, and a
dark, ugly frown wrinkIed the white
brow. "a You never do want me to
have any good time, like other moth
ers do their little girls. Last night
was ever so warm and nice moonlight.
1 couldn't go but Matte Drcw's
mother let her go with the children.
MattiPis stronger than you, daugh-
ter, and is not so easy affected by the
cold as you are"
You just don't want me to go,
that's it," and Mamie went TO the
window, not needing tile tears that
came to mammals eyes. Mamma
Deans loving heart was sorely
wounded; it was full of love for deli
cate Mamie. She gave her love and
time and neglected many pleasures
to teach her little daughter, and to
make her q happy home,
Mamie stood by the window look
ing at the passer-by. Her heart was
softened when she thought of the
many things her mamma had done
for her, but she was too stubborn to
ask pardon or own her wrong.
4'catter~ drawn n steady old
brown horse, stopped at the door,
and small, active old lady got out
and came into the house.
F." Get ready, Lucy, 1 have come 10
make you put by your work and taEte
you and Mamie to the sugar CAMP.
Father has tapped all the trees, and
its splendid sugar day. All hands
are at work lively. 1 only came to
town to get some molding tins. -
g I cannot go to-day, mother, but
would you like to take Mamie; she
can stay all night. I will wrap her
up warmly -
edo, Lucy, stop your stitching
long enough to go 10 your old home
little while. Just MS l thought q
pretty garment for Mamie. Iwonder
if the child knows what devoted
mother she has? Likely not?''
Mamie was ready in q few mo-
ments. How much she wanted to say
T" Mother, forgive me-" but she did
not.
Grandma Dean helped Mamie into
the cutter, poked at fat, lazy Prince,
and told him to "got along J" which
he did after n fashion.
After a ride of four miles, they
stopped before low, brown house,
where a gay young girl, Mamie's s
aunt, ran out to meet and welcome
her. I" Come into the house, Mamie,
and get warm, then we can go to the
camp. 1 think Frisk is as glad to
see you as 1 am, do notice him, ;" said
aunt Nellie, as the brown terrier, al
most beside himself with joy, jumped
about, trying to attract little notice.
Mamie paid her usual visit to the
white kittens and the chickens, and
was soon watching the boiling kettle
of maple syrup. and helping Nellie
and Grandma fill the tin molds as the
men sugared off. -
Aunt Nellie brought quantity of
empty egg shells, and filled them with
the wax or syrup and laid them in the
snow to cool.
Mamie thought she had never tasted
anything so delicious. Next they
popped some corn and stirred it into
the warm maple sugar, making fresh,
crisp popcorn balls. Then Grandma
helped them make hickory nut and
walnut candy, and some of the coun-
try girls came to eat it, and they all
had a grand, good time.
After supper Nellie and Mamie
learned some new, old stitches in
fancy work, Grandpa told her stories
of his youth, and they slept in the
high-posted bed in the room close by
the great fireplace.
Sometime in the night Grandma
was awakened by Mamie's sobbings.
What is the matter?" HOh, ]
know my mamma ia dead. Size is,
for I saw her, and the last words ]
said were unkind ones. Grandma
take me home tonight, I must see
her, walled the little girl.
Grandma took her in her arms and
tried to soothe her, but the dream
had been SO vivid that the little qir
was too excited to sleep. " You s6aI
go just as soon as I can get ready
after breakfast, but I'm sure mamms
is all right, and with that she had tc
be content. But no sleep the rest OF
that night.
Grandma prepared an early break.
fast and Grandpa good-naturedly
hitched Prince to the cutter, and
Mamie was soon speeding toward