Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-07-31

/ nuSD6iIuL a9fS had had grain or Scnoo,
She KEEP on and KEEP - till she broke
down all at once"
How do you mean? He was always
good to her.
eyes, in way. But he let her work
and slave without ever tryinQ to make
things easy for her. II should say my
say right out 1 should say twas that
pump In the shed that was the death O.
Sarah Duffy"
you don't mean it!n
| Yes, do. I've seen her a-workin'
away at that old pump-stiff and heavy
and hard and wheezy, till there didn't
seem breath leftin her. Inever thought
much of it myself till went for spell
down to my sisters In town and see the
way they have things fixed! Nobody in
that house o hers raises drop O. water
'cept to drink it. It all comes through
pipes and runs away through pipes. But
folks in the country don't have such fix
ms. They cost money, and feshn'
bloOd's cheaper'n money"
But there's new pump set in now"
Yes" with a short, mirthless laugh;
it'll make things easier for the second
wife"
Mr.. Hill rapidly made his way out of
reach Of the voices and found himself in
the current which passed on to the par
lor. Before he realized it he stood beside
the dead, and in one glance took in the
expression Of ineffsble peace. But the
weary look had not been quite smoothed
out by the kindly finger of death, and
sharply into his heart smote the idea that
it was like what he had seen in his wife's
face as he had furtively scanned it that
day. 1t seemed to rest there now as she
sat near the coffin. Making signal to
her, he drew her out Of the house and
and toward the buggy.
"Ain't we going to the cemetery,
James," she asked, as he united the horse.
mo; l think can give you a more
cheerful ride"
He drove home by road she had al
ways liked, and ON reaching home told
her to go and lie down. She laughed and
he went to find his daughters.
Girls, do you know mothers run
down and tired out, and that if we don't
look out she'll be the next one to gO;'
1t seemed a cruel bomb to drop into
the light hearts.
''Why, father, is anything the matter?
Where's mother"
NO, stay here; there amt anything
the matter yet, perhaps. It's only
want to have it stopped before the mat
ter comes"
There was long talk.
1--WE begged mother time and again
to let me take the dairy work." said
Harriet. ''She says it's too hard for
girls"
We'll make it easier then. Well
make everything easier for you and for
her, We must get her away from home
for a change, girls"
''She won't 60"
Lets go'n tell her she must. She's
lying down"
Lying down. said Janet with a
laugh. Look there"
Mother in her working dress was walk
ing around the house to the dairy house.
Father took her arm and brought her in
Mother" he said, I'm going over to
Rcuben's next week to see about that
business between him and me. / shall
have to again three weeks after. l want
you to go with me and stay between
whiles."
Mothers face flushed, but she shook
her head.
II couldn't do it." she said. 81 don't
say but what it would be pleasant to
make good visit to Sister Ruth, but l
couldn't take the time and couldn't be
ready. l shouldn't want to go looking
shabby, and don't need anything new
for here at home. It's the girls time for
wanting things"
''Oh, yes, yes" said father, half irri-
tably, "but it's the girls time for taking
care of you, and they know it. Some
girls know it too late"
Don't bother now, father" urged
Mrs. Hill 1T would take a week of
fussing and hard work sewing for me to
get ready, and would do more harm than
good"
Another talk and Il conspiracy against
mother was proposed, so astonishing and
so delightful that Harriet could not re-
press a shout of laughter.
It'll cost money" she said.
There's more valuable things than
money" said father, taking out his pocket
book. And the girls grew sober, realizing
how strongly he felt all he was saying as
he laid out one $50 bill, then another,
saying:
"Send for anything she wants ready
made, so there won't be any fussing.
Then she can't help herself"
And for q week mother was sorely puz-
zled at the whispedngs and the sly
glances, surprised at sudden hugs and
bursts Of laughter from Harriet, half in
clined to feel angry at seeing very plain
" that something was going on which
no one would tell her.
At the end Of that time small trunk
was delivered at the door. It contained
a black silk dress, wrap and bonnet, with
gloves and other accessories to a neat
toilet.
That's the secret of all those measure
ments had to take last week for that
wrapper" said Harriet, pointing to them.
"Win you ever forgive yourself, little
mother, for the way you grOwled at me?
You see we girls are getting too old for
you to be mistress here any longer, so
you might as well give in to it at once"
The result was that mother, more |
pleased than she would admit, was, as
she told her friends at the end of her |
journey, fairly hustled out of the house |
before she knew what she was about.
She came back with renewed strength |
and spirit for the dear home duties. |
But those duties had been so hghtened |
by tender care and thought for her that |
she declared there seemed nothing left |
for her 10 do.
Tha rrIDdYniII which had haer rIannad |