The Iola register., 1891-07-10
Pu,.~ n.r,.

A Pillow q 1noens
Mrs. Warren awoke ono morning, af-
ter a disturbed nights rest with the
thought that q heavy days work awaited
her one pair of hands.
II hardly know where to begin,
John" she confessed to her husband, as
she hurriedly dressed herself. II have
some canning that must be done. and
the ironing is not near finished, and
there is no denying that the baby is
very troublesome-can't wonder that he
is, though, dear little thingT she
added, as she bent over the cradle
where the baby lay sleeping; "he's cut
ting teeth"
''You must keep Katy out of school to
help you; she's IL years old, and surely
ought to save you of great many
steps"
''Oh, I couldn't think of keeping her
out of school just now; she'd get behind
in her classes She can help me before
school and at noon-yes. and after
school, and perhaps l can get through
the day all right, although do feel a
severe headache coming on.'
After breakfast MIR. Warren hurried
to the store, kissing his wife first.
however, and saying, "I am very sorry
for you, DEAR" then looking at Katy,
who sat at the window with her history,
he added pleasantly: Come, Katy,
child, put up your book and help moth
er; willing little hands can do much
work" 7a~-----s-sass,ss'zts-s
But the trouble with Katy just then
was that her hands were not willing.
As soon as the door closed behind her
father she said, without rising from her
chair. You don't need me very much,
do you, mamma? l haven't learned my
history lesson, and we recite in the first
hour"
"Why didn't you learn it last night?
You had long, quiet evening, with
"Yes, know I did, but I had an in
teresting library book to finish, and af-
ter that it was too late"
Another time you must learn your
lessons first before you amuse yourself
with story books. You can study your
lesson now; l will get along without
you," Mrs Warren said.
Noon came. There was nice dinner
upon the table. Upon the bars the
smoothly ironed clothes hung, and on the
kitchen table there was row OF glass
jars filled with hot fruit. But it was a
very flushed and wearied face that look.
ed over the coffee urn. 1t was 1890
when the family finished their dinner,
and Mrs. Warren said: '.Katy dear,
you have half an hour before school;
suppose you tie on big apron and help
me to get some of these dishes out OF
the way" - --
''Oh, dear l don't see how can,
mama: missed my practice hour this
morning. and You know / will have to
take my music lesson tomorrow. But
I'll go if you say so, Katy said fretfully.
go and practice" That was all
Katy's mother said, as she gathered up
the many dishes, preparatory to remov-
ing them to the hot kitchen. Katy's
conscience troubled her some as she
practiced her scales IN the pleasant
parlOr.
Two or three times in front of the
musical notes she saw tired mothers
face: but she did not close her instruc-
tion book and go to her mothers relief,
but only struck the notes the more We
| hemently. 1t was o'clock when Katy
returned from school. Looking into
the little sitting room, she found the
baby asleep in his cradle, and found
her mother with bandaged head upon
the couch.
"All quiet along the Potomac?" Katy
questioned, as she bent to kiss her
mothers hot cheek.
''Quiet Just now, but baby's nap is
nearly out, and dread his awakening.
My head is much worse. think you'll
have to get tea tonight, dear; l don't
think possibly can"
"All right, mamma; but it is not
near time yet, and can l go oyer the
slope after wild clematis? The girls
are waiting at the gate, and we'll not
be gone long" - e--','-. -. .-1;..:.s7ss'--- o.
You can go if you'll be here at
promptly"
Yes, maam I'll be bere,r Katy an
swered, as she danced from the room.
unmindful of her mothers pain.
The door closed after her with a
bang, which woke the baby, he began
crying. Itwas some moments before
Mrs. Warren's dizzy head would allow
her to get up and lift the screaming
child from his cradle. She put him on
the floor and gave him playthings,
which he threw all over the room, even
into the dining room beyond. Mrs.
Warren did not seem to care where he
threw his toys, as long as he was
amused. She lay down again and held
her throbbing head, watching the
clock as the hands crept closer to 5.
hoping that thoughtless little Katy
would keep her promise. The clock
struck l-2-3-4-5. Oh, how the lit
tie hammer beat her weary head! But
Notwithstanding her pain, she arose,
built the fire, and prepared supper, q
pain in her heart worse than that in her
head. "Can it be that little Katy does
not love her mother?" she thought.
I'm so sorry, mamma meant 10
come sooner, but l was having such a
nice time, began Katy apologetically,
but her father stopped her.
flush! Where have you'll beenr he
said sternly. "Your mother all alone
with the work and the baby! Look at
her tired, red face" But his reproof
stopped right here. for her tired, red
face grew ashen white, and Katy's weary
mother was unconscious.
Mouths have passed since then, but
Katy's heart is still sore. Her mother
is a patient invalid. and may never
again walk a step. Every night as
Katy's head falls upon the pillow she
looks about her rooms pretty belong
ings, her dear mothers love and taste
breathing through them all, and thinks
of what that gray haired doctor said
months ago. looking pityingly at her
mother, and at thoughtless little Katy,
Mother has TO work too hard this hot,
close day; l suppose you help mother all
you can"
''Ah, but that's the trouble. l didn't
help mother all I could"
Poor Katy! Poor mother.