Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-09-29

you were IS old as she is."
Eyes; but my mother died, you
know, and I had to, said Mrs. Afford.
Besides, Aunt Mercy, haven't any
thing to wear"
'As bad off as Flora McFlimsy OF
Madison Square!'' said Aunt Mercy,
bursting into q hearty fit of laughter.
Greatly nothing to wear is true in
my case, Aunt Mercy. I have been
trying to get new black silk dress for
the last year, but when the time comes
that think I can get it, there is also
so much TO buy for the children that
I put off my black silk dress for bet
ter time. Lettie wants three new suits
this summer; she is going to visit one
of her young friends at the seashore,
and Harry's college expenses are quite
heavy, and so many other things to be
bought for the four younger children
that it is impossible for me
to think of g. new black silk
dress his spring. 1t is really
great disappointment for me not
to go to the silver wedding, as [ have
always loved Clara Marshall since l
can remember. When we were two
little tots with gingham sunbonnets
on we began to play together in the
fields. don't know why it is, but /
love Clara the best of any of my school
friends. It is great disappointment
to me, but won't have Charles or the
children know it for anything"
After Aunt Mercy had been in the
Afford household week, the boys had
found a place for their hats, bats, and
everything else that belongs to boys
treasures and Harry and Lettie not
only kissed their mother when they
went of, but relieved her of many
duties while they were at home which
she had been in the habit of doing for
them. Aunt Mercy brought this new
state of things about with her usual
good common sense, tact and discre-
ton.
"Your dear mother is so good" said
Aunt Mercy. "She always was just
SO good when she was g. little girl, al
ways fulfilling the Scripture Injunction,
'In honor preferring one another
She always prefers everybody before
herself-the most unseltish person |
ever saw. If there is anything that I
think is unjust and mean, it is to i'm
pose upon person of such nature
taking advantage of a PERSONS love
for us by letting them give up pleasures
for our sakes."
The children had never thought Of
upon their mother; such q
dear, good mother as she had always
been to them. But they were old
enough and sensible enough to see the
matter in the same light as Aunt
Mercy did after she had talked with
them.
A fortnight before the wedding, Let
tie had a private conference with her
father.
"Now, papa" she.said, 'swe must get
mother off to Mrs. Marshall's silver
Nothing to hinder, is there ?" asked
Mr.. Afford.
"I am going to attend to the house
keeping" said Lettie, very gravely,
''but mamma can't go without new
silk dress"
"Why doesn't she get one, them"
"Oh, papa you know how mamma
is. She thinks we need so many things
that she doesn't want to take the
money for herself. Now, Henry is 60
ing to put in his monthly allowance
.or next month to the black silk fund,
and I'm going to give up the white
cashmere dress and the dotted Swiss
this summer. We children have never
sacrificed anything for dear mamma;
she has done all the sacrificing in this |
family"
Mr.. Afford was man of business.
Everything In his home ran without |
any friction. There was no fretting |
aver heard within it's walls, no COM
plants; the little wife managed every
thing. He had never thought much |
about the strength OF heart and arm |
that were requisite to carry on such a |
of machinery so noise
essly.
"Lettie," said her father, 'your
mother is the best woman in the |
world' His face seemed to reflect |
some new light just then, which had |
Ill at once daNned upon his mind; |
and he threw down his ledger and went |
put Of the Office with his daughter to |
ouy the new silk dress.
''The children all want to give some
Thing toward it," said Lettie. eve
N 0AO W SUI PRISE mdu1u1d Will Un0 |
1ress, and put on the outside of the |
package, "From papa and the chill
lren."
Mr.. Afford bought the silk-one of
5he highest priced ones in the store.
doesn't your mother want some |
ace to trim it with? I think I heard |
ler say once that she was quite partial |
20 handsome lace"
eyes, papa, it ought to be trimmed
With lace"
A numoer of yards of beautiful lace
was bought. The next morning when
Patience Afford awoke at an early
lour, as it was usual for her to do, |
she found a package lying on the table
n her room directed to her. When |
she opened it. and saw the dress, and |
read the words: "For the dearest, |
oest, most loving and self-sacrifcing
Of mothers, from papa and the chill |
lren," the tears fell down from her
ayes like rain. !
"For the wedding, mamma, for the
cried tbs children. bursting
INTO the room at that moment. "Let-