Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-05-13
Patience Affords Children.

With her traveling-bag in one hand
and her cap-box in the other. 81
old our folks ii did't see Patience
Affords children betorelong, I'd never
see them, they will soon be grown-up
iolks. So I've come.
"AnG we are all so very glad to see
you, Aunt Mercy" said Mrs. Afford,
rs she took of the newcomers bon
net and outside wraps and drew up
The easiest chair in the room for her
To sit down on.
This isn't Harold what, the baby
you had with you the last time you
came to Marshfield, visiting" said
Aunt Mercy, as Mrs. Afford introduced
her eldest son, and said proudly:
'fThis is my big boy, Aunt Mercy
See, he is head and shoulders above
his little mother, but the very same
boy / carried in my arms to Marsh
tield. And here is Lettie, his sister; you
have never seen her"
"How much she favors her grand
MOTHER exclaimed Aunt Mercy. II
am so glad you called her Lettie, after
your mother and Aunt Mercy inn
printed warm, loving kiss on the
fresh, rosy, girlish cheek.
Then four younger children came
rushing into the room, hunting after
their several school necessities which
were lying about the room. "Come,
Clarence and Warren, Kate and Jes-
sic, and see Aunt Mercy" said the
mother. The four younger children
all gave the newly arrived guest a kiss
of welcome, then began to gather up
the various books, states, pens and
pencils preparatory to going to school.
Where's my hat?" asked Frank, as
he wheeled out the sofa and looked be-
hind it. Mother have you seen my
hatW
The mother instantly began search
ing for the missing head covering.
After some minutes had been wasted,
Frank exclaimed, "0h, | know now
where it is; it is on top of the wood
shed. l was up there after my ban
tam rooster, and left it there" and
the boy made an exit through the
door Meanwhile Mrs. Aliord was re-
Installing shoe buttons, finding de-
Iinquent pocket handkerehiefs, ar
ranging collars and hair ribbons, and
getting the children ready for their de-
parture for school. Finally every
thing was ready and in broken ranks
the children rushed out oil the door.
But they all kissed the mother good
bye before they went out. The door
had scarcely closed before Harry came
in from the gymnasium, with his shirt
sleeve torn to shreds.
Caught it on one of the hooks, 1"
sail the young man. 'Just catch it
together as well as you can. please,
mother. have only ten minutes in
which to get back to college"
"Just as quickly as can," said the
mother, as she got out her needle and
thread, and prepared to draw the rag
ged sleeve together. Harry hurried
his mother every moment until it was
finished. Then giving her kiss he
took his Virgil and went out.
Mamma" called I.ettice from her
room up stairs, "please come up here;
my skirt hangs dreadfully. / don't
know what is the matter with it..
And two of the buttons are off from
my basque"
Excuse me, Aunt Mercy" said Mrs.
Afford. 'I'll be back IN a few mo.
ments."
Soon mother and daughter appeared
in the doorway, and the latter, after
kissing her mothergood-bye, went out.
"They all kiss their mother"
thought Aunt Mercy, "but they make
slave of her all the same How
strange it isl"
Mrs. Afford had a young girl to help
her who was very inefficient, so she had
the greater part OF the housework to
do herself, and the morning was q
very busy one.
80 many things the children might
have done before they went to school"
thought Aunt Mercy. 1.-THE fetching
and carrying would be as good as the
gymnasiumfo for Harry, looked at mere
ly from physical point of view
In the afternoon, when Mrs. Afford s
work was done, she sat down with
Aunt Mercy 'for real good, old-fash-
Toned visit" she said.
They were talking about Clara Mar
shall's silver wedding.
81 want to go so very much" said
Mrs. Afford, but 1t is impossible for
me to do so, so mustn't think OF it. "
''Why not?" queried Aunt Mercy.
81 couldn't leave the children. And
Charles is as dependent upon me as
they are. He can't possibly leave his
business to 60 with me"
"Why can't Lettie keep house?"
'Lettie keep house," exclaimed Mrs.
Afford, as she laughed heartily "The
ideal Why, she doesn't know the first
step toward housekeeping.
IL think it will be a good time for
her to learn" said Aunt Mercy. 1.-THE
wedding will be during her vacation.
You had better let her try it. You
kept house, Patience Afford, before
you were as old as she is"
Eyes; but my mother died, you
know, and ! had to, said Mrs. Afford.
Besides, Aunt Mercy, ! haven't any
thing to wear"
Gas bad off as Flora McFlimsy OF
Madison Square" said Aunt Mercy,
bursting into hearty fit of laughter.
Really nothing to wear is true in
my case, Aunt Mercy. Il have been
trying to get a new black silk dress for
the last year, but when the time comes
that | think can get it, there is also
so much to buy for the children that |
put off my black silk dress for better
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 a new black silk dress this
spring. 1t is really a great disappoint.
ment for me not to 60 to the silver
wedding, as have always loved Clara
Marshall since | can remember. When
We were two little tots with gingham
sunbonnets on we began to play to-
gether in the fields. don't know why
it is, but love Clara the best of any
of my schoolfriends. 1t is o great dis
appointment to me, bat wouldn't
have Charles or the children know it
tor anything"
After Aunt Mercy had been in the
Afford household q week, the boys had
found 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 off, but relieved her OF many du-
ties 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-
tion.
"Your dear mother is so good" said
Aunt Mercy. "She always was just so
good when she was little girl, always
fl filling the scripture Injunction. In
l. or preterring one another She
always prefers everybody before her.