The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-01-18
MY MOTHERS SECRET.
BY MARY KILE DALLAS.

BY MARY KILE DALLAS,
Mother and father had been nothing
but names to me since | could remember
anything, / had been educated at DR..
Sartain's school and from thence had
gone to college. There had never been
any lack of money and good clothes, but
/ never went home for the holidays,
and no II ever came TO see me. On my
18th birthday a watch was sent to me,
with From your loving Mother" en-
grayed in the case, and then l said to
DR.. Sartain:
when am / to see my parents? This
seems as though my mother loved me?
Does sine never care to see me-"
DIR. Sartain answered:
Your mother is very fond Of you,
and an excellent mother, but your faith
er is compelled to remain absent from
home.
Isupposed from this both my parents
we're abroad, and asked no more ques-
fiGns.
Four years after this the news was
sent to me that nay father was dead,
but there vas no alteration in my posi-
non. sent to college, chose my pro-
fession-the laE-and finally entered
into tle Office Of Gay & Brothers, with
every prospect Of success IN my career.
lad But one anxIety-my strange po-
szi0n.
Ny parents, It appeared to me, must
be wealthy. If they we're also respect
able why had my Ether never sent for
me- Why did nv mother never give me
any token or her desire to see her son?
4 Was q man nov. / had a right 70 ask
sths question and 30 be answered. But
4 feared the answer, and / delayed. My
a-e202Iutances were many; my friends
sa1r-t5e doctor, his wife, my old fellow
papil 81 his school, Roger Wharton, and
my ~laun3ress.
Yes, the ~laundress, Aunt Betsy, as
every one called her, humble though
abe was. was one of nv friends, and not
the least valued offhem.
She was a good old woman, straight
and thin. but strong and hearty. She
had taken THE boys things to wash
ever since ] can remember. Al boy drove
little donkey cart to the door with the
great baskets on it, but she came once a
week to bring her bills and get her
money, I suppose, end the doctors wife
made much of her, and told her about
the chiidren'E doings, and the BOYS were
pleased to see her round little face. She
%had taken q special fancy to Roger
Wharton and 10 me. and cur linen al
WAYS came home nnended and our stock
ings darnea. Df course, she sook my
washing home, now that ] lived indie
pendenfly, and the moderation of her
prices was q novelty In the laundry
world.
You ask too little / sometimes said.
But she always answered:
charge quite enough-quitc enough
Mr.. Arthur.
She kept up her interest in my stu.
dies still. admired my law books, and
wondered at my knowledge. / was more
pleased to see Aunt Betsy come into my
room than 1 was To see MANY 9 fine ae
q~uaintance whose recognition was an
honor. I shall always be glad to remem-
Der that.
] contided in her q little, and one day
she looked at me solemnly, shook her
head, and said:
ssAh, boys need q mother. Do you
we think Of yours, sad2p
M&VtN tAAAA ptV 4QHn Va AlGf oA4A IL
Don't say that, lad" answered the
old woman. Your mother ie sore
hearted to be- parted from you like this
How do you know" Icried, starting
up.
do You know my mother, Aunt Bet
sey?p
She gathered up her basket, looking
at me askance.
Whatever I know I keep to myself;
she said; tsbut remember your mother
loves you, always has, and always Will.
Remember that" And she went her
way.
That evening I thought her words
over until I could bear ii no longer, snd
putting on my bat, / went 70 DR.. Sar.
tRin's house, d~eterrined to ask him who
and what my parents were.
The doctor and Mrs Sartain sat to.
gefher In his study. and / toak his chain
which WIS offered me. and
drew 1T between them.
g have come to ask you sorne Ques-
{lons.s z T said 'Questions that / have
right 70 ask VIII You promise % an