The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-26

After the older people had eaten their
dinner and returned to the little parlor,
Mrs. Ayres tarried to superintend that
of the children.
CHOW" said she briskly to her two
blooming daughters Of fourteen and
sixteen, 81 leave things in your hands.
Don't get noisy nor run into the parlor;
we don't want to be disturbed" Then
she went to her fathers side, and draw
ing up chair, sat down, and in her
sensible way alluded to the debt on the
old farm, spoke of their sympathy and
desire to help him, and before the dear
old man had thought of such q thing,
the four hundred dollars lay in crisp
new bills in his hand.
There was a moments silence
Grandpa .rfed to speak but something
choked him.
'.I've little gift for Grandma. said
Mrs. Abram, in her pretty, graceful
way, coming forward and placing in
Grandma's lap dress pattern of black
cashmere with fifty dollar bank note
pinned to it.
..Well. SO have 1. now that think of
it." said Mrs. Ayres. "Hu sband do
run out to the shed and get that roll out
of the big sleigh"
Husband walked sedately out and
brought in two comfortablcs, bright and
new, while sister Lydia proudly pro.
duced pair of soft, white, flannel
blankets. spun and woven by her own
hands. Mrs. Ezra modestly laid her
gift of two caps of fine lawn, with beau
| Il -, =.
knee.
All in all it was too much for poor
Grandma. She burst into tears, and
could hardly keep from confessing that
she had cried twice the day before be-
cause she feared their children had for
gotten how old and poor and sad they
were.
s.Come, come, mother" said Mrs.
Lydia. kissing the withered cheek.
don't let the children see a tear, please;
they couldn't understand it at all, and
they are going to just about swamp
you both with their little gifts pretty
soon. Teddy has brought four quarts
of his cherished store of butternuts, a
little bag of beachnuts, and big bag of
popcorn"
aAnd Linnie," added Mrs. Eliza,
''insisted on bringing Grandma and
drandpa some tandy. So you will have
gumdrops and caramels enough to last
you all winter"
Grandma wiped away the last tear
before the children came trooping in,
bringing pin cushions, chair cushions.
needle books. crotcheted slippers, q
shoulder shawl, handsome wOrk-box
and knitting basket, besides dozens of
other useful things.
By-and-by Grandpa hushed the chat
tering throng in the kitchen. and sitting
in the doorway between the two
rooms, he read some of the sweet prom
Uses of the Savior to His sorrOwing chill
dren, and such prayer as followed!
None who heard it ever forgot the pa
thos. the triumph of faith, the deep
thankfulness that God had given him
such loving, dutiful children.
swell, wellv' exclaimed Grandma,
when all were gone except Abram
and family, who were to remain
few days. II don't believe there's
another such surprised but thankful
and happy woman in the hull State of
New Hampshire as be: and it's al
can do to keep from feelin' proud of
my children and grandchildren"
Il amt tryin' to-" replied Grand
pa, quietly, land there amt no sin in
feelin' as do. for if a ton had been took
off my back couldn't feel no lighter.
I'm too happy to say much aayway.
Children just sing
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Amen. Emily v Keerer, in Won,dn's
Century.