Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-10-25

Howe1l's opportur ,.ty. She nursed her
with the most untfring devotion read
ing to her. bearing with her fretfulness,
and seeking every means in her power
to shorten the weary hours, until she
was herself again.
In the meantime. glowing letters
came from the boys; letters trimming
over with college pranks and jollities;
but with an under-current of steadi-
ness and earnestness OF purpose that
comforted the mothers heart.
But the years few by. as years will,
and one day the June sun shone hotly
down on the roof of the Commence
ment Hall, filed with the portly fathers,
applauding vigorously with their gold
headed canes; the proudly beaming
mothers; the rows of undergraduates;
and the bevies of young girls in sum-
mer dresses.
And here, too. were Miss Lydia and
Mrs. Howell. Many an eye turned
with curiosity on the tall, rigid form.
and stiff gray silk, black china-crepe
shawl and gray straw bonnet, and the
slight figure in widows garb.
Both boys acquitted themselves well,
and graduated with honor; and when
their clear young voices rang out
through the spacious hall in manly,
ambitious sentiments, Miss Lydia was
so visibly affected, that she was
obliged to take violent shifts of her
smelling-bott]e, to recover her equilib-
rum.
After the exercises. Prof. Arlington
greeted her warmly; and then turning
to Mrs. Howell, he said: ''You may
we'll be proud of your sons-but''
ing his hand on Toms shoulder-"this
young man stays with me, need him
in my preparatory department., and
then at the same time, he can be pour
ing over Coke and Blackstone,as he is
bound to become a lawyer. We have
arranged it all between US, and only
wait your sanction"
So Tom went back, after the holi-
days, as tutor and student. The hours
were long and the double duties ardu-
Gus; but, as he wrote home to his
mother in one of his characteristic let
tiers: Give fellow sound body,
dash of common-sense, and good edu-
cation to back them both, and if he
hasn't got grit enough to shift for him
self, the sooner he makes way for some
one who has. the better"
Philip went into business in his own
town, where, faithful at his post, clear
headed and honorable in all his deal
ings, he readily found his way into the
hearts of the people. So that it was
not many years before he was able to
visit his college town, and bring back
dark-haired girl, his wife; and then
went to housekeeping in the little
brown cottage, with its coat of shining
new paint, and the inside shining as
we'll.
Then the tall fence came completely
down, and the sunshine had full play.
On the evening of the young couples
arrival, Miss Lydia and Mrs. Howell
sat late over their open fire. Tom had
just left them to take the last train for
the city, where he now had an Office of
his own, and was looked upon as
promising young lawyer.
The tall clock licked monotonously
on the high mantle-shelf; and, at
peace with all the world, the tabby
slept purring on the hearth-rug. Out
side, the evening breeze sent the
boughs of the climbing rose-bush tap
ping against the curtained windows.
Mrs. Howell crossed over to low
stool near Miss Lydia's chair, and laid
her hand upon her knee, while she
looked up into her withered face with
trimming eyes. "Dear friend" she
said, show good you have been to us,
and how much we owe to your never.
failing kindness!"
You owe me-" replied Miss Lydia,
softly, mot half as much as owe you;
for what comfort and happiness I
would have missed, had it not been for
the little 6lue eye at the knot-hole."-
Woman's Magazine.
.