Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-11-07

She paced the floor until the moon
light threw long, slanting rays through
the narrow windows; she turned her
tea out Of her spoon until it was cold;
the supperless cat came and rubbed
against her dress UNDECIDED, ana then
walked stiffly out Of the room, with
his back in an indignant arch. .
She sat far into the night; but before
she went to rest, two letters in q
cralnped. old-fashioned hand were
dropped into the post-box on the
corner-one to the agents, accepting
their offer, and another to Prof. Ar
liugton, asking for information re-
garding fees, entrance examinations,
etc.
And when his satisfactory reply and
the papers of the sale were in her
hands, she went over to the little
brown cottage, and awl<wardly enough
made known her proposition. But
the way it was accepted! Poor Mrs.
Howell broke completely down in a
burst of thankful tears; and as for the
boys-they danced about, and Rugged
each other, and we're so demonstrative
in their delight, that Miss Lydia was
forced to beat a hasty retreat, for fear
they would fall upon her bodily.
A month later, two gay young figures
waved goodbye from the platform OF
the train that bore them away to
matrieulate; and Mrs. Howell came to
take up her abode in the old brick
house.
Being a woman of exceptional good
sense, she sought, by the exercise OF
the greatest tact, to make her pres
enco felt. And it was pleasant sight
to see the brisk little figure fitting in
and out Of the gloomy rooms, adding
dainty touches here and there ;tastefully
arranging the ever-abundant flowers.
In the spring, Miss Lydia had her
first severe illness; and then was Mrs.
Howells opportunity. She nursed her
with the most untiring 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 Drumming
over with college FRANKS and jollities;
but with an under-current of steadi.
ness and earnestness of purpose that
cOmforted the mothers heart.
But the years flow by, as years will.
and one day the June sun shone holly
down on the roof of the Commence.
ment Hall, filled 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.
Nor 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 we'll,
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. ..s
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''- lay.
ing his hand on Toms shoulder-''thi
young man stays with me. 1 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
ters: Give a fellow a sound body, q
dash of common-sense, and a 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 TO: 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
u 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 s-.7.
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 a
promising young lawyer.
The tall clock ticl<a6 monOtnno,,alv