The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-03-17
RALPH'S MOTHER.

He was a cabinet-maker, who
worked all day Ia beautiful sheets OF
rosewood and black walnut Sne
Vas d book folder. They had be
come acquainted on that stormy au-
tumn night when the wind turned
her umbrella inside out and she had
TO run half block after her flying
basket. And then they met
once or twice at church and at the
bible-class Of a sunday afternoon,
and old Mn. Tyson, the ministers
VIE, asked them both 10 tea. She
nad been young herself, and she un-
derstoOd the signs ard symptoms,
90 they were married and hired a
ueat little Sai, furnishing il as best
they could.
Isn't il nice p said Emmy, oh
Ralph, don't you wish We had some
one to visit Us ?"
"Ait would be company for you,
dear. said Ralph Crystal smiling.
But there's no one that | know
of. said Emmy. Except some tar
away cousins in Dakota. And !
never knew much about them. Oh
Ralph. haven't sou any relations
His face clouded over
II don know whether have or
not said ne oh, Emmy, God
help me I've left NY past behind
me.
lie had sunk into d chair, with
his mead 10 his hands. She went 81
lently behind him and laid her
cheek against his forehead.
Tell me, Ralph, said she, what
is il? Why have you never spoken
to me about 1t before ?'
Because, ne answered, II didn't
want TO appear ike savage. Al
though don't think | have claim
To be called anything else"
What il 1t, Ralph ?" she repeat
ed.
Il ran away from home when |
was l6, Emmy" he replied moodily.
Father was strict and cross with
me. / don't say he was right, but
uow, as | look back to it, know
that ! also was wrong.
Il ran away from home and !
came to the city to fight my way for
myself. Aud when | had earned
enough to make little home | rent
back TO get my mother out of the at
mosDheTe that wasn't / natural TO her
any more than it was 10 me.
Il was fool to suppose that time
was going to stand still for my con-
veuience. When | got back TO
Hickory Falls iather was dead and
The FOLKS had moved away-no one
knew where. Emmy. / can't tell
,ou how | fit when | heard 1t.
But, Ralph" soothed the young
wife, you Will tind her. No one
could ever be lost."
I've tried, Emmy-I've tried my
best. aud it's OF no Use" be sighed.
Emmy was silent for second or
Two.
I've always wanted a mother,
she murmured half to herself, land
Ralphs mother would be all the
same a. nv own"
After that she scarcely devoted
herself to the task Of restoring to her
husband the dear old mother whom
hs had loved and lost
One day this little MrS Crystal,
being economically disposed, was
searching through a second hand es-
Enlistment for a coal scut,le and
firearms.
~l'm not going TO pay outrageous
prices when | can get bargain only
a little used. said she, thriitily.
"Couldu't | sell you something
Use. ma'am p said the dealer. with
that insiuuating smile which Is pc
culia7 to proprie,ors of secondhand
shops. I've a set of Ted damask
curtaius-
EBmy shook her head.
No. said she, II need 10 cur
tains."
Half dozen diuiugr0om chaire,
then 2n suggested the mar. ''0r a
pair OF real old-fashioned girandoles
with cut-slass drops ??
But Emmy Crystal did not bear
what ne WAS saying; her eyes were
fixed intently on a certain old bu-
reau of ancient mahogony, darkened
with age, almost 10 the sem mblance
of ebony. with odd. brass ornaments
under the draw-handles, aud curious
elaw-legs. just such one, in truth,
as Ralph was making in the odds
and ends OF his time at the shop,
because, as be said. his mother had
a bureau like that
"WheIe did you get that bureau2
she asked. quickly.
"Ma'an. p gasped the dealer.
Il mean who sold il TO you?"
at was broughtin yesterday from
a place oct on the suund-one OF
them little one-horse settlements
where they don't have no second
hand emporiums- But | assure you,
ma'am." hutteribg over the leaves
of his ledger. you won't get it no
cheaper by going to the principals.
I've bought il out and out.
Il don't wish to purchase IT. said
Mrs. Crystal. But | would like to
see the person that-that sold it to
YOU"
There was a lot of other truck
from the same place" sand the man