Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-03-04
RALPH'S MOTHER.

al uay III Deulll vi sHtelS " IOSe"OOe
and black walnut. She was a book
folder They had become acquainted
on that stormy autumn night when
the wind turned her mbrela insinde
out and she had to run half block
after her flying dinner basket. And
then they met once or twice at church
and at the Bible class OF a Sunday az
ternoon, and old Mrs. Tyson, the min
ister's wife asked them both to tea.
She had been young herself and she
understood the signs and symptoms.
So they were married and hired neat
little fiat, furnishing il as best they
could.
isn't it nice9" said Emmy. OIL
Ralph, don't you wish we had some
one to visit Bsl"
'If it could be company for you, my
dear" said Ralph Cyrstal, smiling.
But there's no one that know OF, "
said Emmy, except some far-away
cousins in Dakota Aud never knew
much about them. On Ralph haven t
you any relationsl"
His face clouded over.
Il don't know whether have or
not" said he. ooh, Emmy, God
help me I've left nay past behind
me"
He had sunk into a chair. with his
head in his hands. She went softly
behind hun and laid her cheek against
his forehead.
"Tell nae, Ralph" said she, what
is it2 Why have you never spoke TO
me about 1t before2'
Because he answered, II didn't
want to appear like savage. AL
though don't think have claim to
be called anything else"
what is it, Ralph2' She repeated.
Il ran away from home when | was
16, Emmy he replied modify. Fla
ther was strict and cross with me.
don't say ne was right, but now, as
look back to it, know that | also was
wrong
II ran away from home and | came
to the city TO fight my way for myself.
And when l had earned enough to
make little home | came back to get
my mother out of the atmos phere that
wasn't natural to her any more than
il was to me.
81 was a fool to suppose that time
WAS going ~ olduh sun lhI my ApAl-
venience. When got back to Hick-
DRY Falls father was dead and the
folks had moved away--no one knew
where, Emmy, can't tell you how l
felt when heard it,
"But, Ralph" soothed the young
wife, you will find her, no one could
ever be lost"
1--WE tried Emmy-rve tried my
best, and it's of no use, he sighed.
Emmy was silent for a second or
two.
ave always wanted a mother, she
murmered half to herself land
Ralph's mother would be all the same
asmy own After that she secretly
devoted herself to the task of restor-
ing to her husband the dear old
mother whom he had loved and lost.
One day this little Mrs. Crystal, be,
ing economically disposed, was
searcing Through a second hand es
tablshment for coal scuttle and
firearms.
81 am not going to pay any out
rageous prices when | can get bar
gam only a little used" said she
thrifty.
Couldn't sell you something else
ma'amI" SAID the dealer, with that in
sinuating smile which is peculiar tC
proprietors of second hand shops
1--WE a set of red damask curtains
10y
Emily shook her head.
mo, said size, - need NO cur
tains.n
''IIalf dozen dining chairs, then7
suggested the man. COR pair of rea
old-fsshioned cirandoles with cut
glass dropsg
But Emmy Crystal did not heal
what he was saying, her eyes wer,
fixed intently on certain old bureau
of ancient mahogany, darkened witt
age, almost TO the semblaHce of ebony
with odd, brass ornaments under tn,
aw.handles, and curious claw-legs
Just such a one, in truth, as RALPH
was making in tie odds and ends o
his time at the shop, because. as IN
said, his mother had n bureau Ink,
that.
"Where did you get that bureau
she asked, quickly.
''Ma'am3" gaSped the dealer
81 mean who sold it to your
1T was brought in yesterday frou
a place out on the Souud-one o then
little horse settlements where thrl
don't have no secondhand emparl
ums. But | assure you, ma am.
huttering over the leaves of his ledg
er, you won't get it no cheaper b,
going to the principals. I've Dough
it out and Quit"
If don't wish To purchase it, sais
Mrs. Crystal But | would like t
see the person that sold it to you"
''There was lot Of other truck