The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-04-07
It was not until the time came to say

good-by that the children began to
comprehend that she was going away.
'Gramma mustn't do" cried little
Della. clinging to Hesba's skirts. and
then the baby set up wall and re-
fused to be comforted.
Hesba strained the little creatures for
a moment to her bosom. II don't want
any harm to come toyou, Mirapdy," she
said, turning to her daughter-in-law,
but can't help fearin' that separatin'
father an me, as you're doin', the Lord
may see fit to separate you from some
O them you love-"
That was her farewell word.
When Jason came home the fol-
lowing week it was an easy matter for
Miranda to make him believe that his
mother had gone of her own free will
to visit her brother, the old man, obe-
dent to his wife's entreaty, keeping ST.
lent She took much credit to herself
for having managed it so we'll. Her
visitors came and went, but she said
not word about Hesba's coming home.
Not even the old mans pleading eyes
could move her.
One morning in November while Mi
randa was busy in the kitchen little
Nan wandered into the yard and
amused herself for half an hour chas-
ing the chickens. The ground was
covered with slush and that night the
child was seized with diphtheria.
For three days she lay tossing and
moaning, and almost the only words
that passed her lips were: Gamma! /
ont gamma.
BABY can't have gran'ma. Gran'ma's
gone" said Miranda "Mommer's here
to take care O. Nan"
But she was not skillful at nursing.
Nan grew rapidly worse, still moan
ing for gamma and death came with
the suddenness characteristic of the
disease.
Jason reached home the day before
the funeral. He was almost heart
broken. You'd ought to sent for
mother" he said at once.
IL don't know what for" Miranda
protested, in an injured voice. THE
doctor an me did everything that could
be done, an there wouldn't be any
earthly use sending for her now"
A day or two later little Della came
and leaned against her knee as she sat
sewing. Il want my gramma," said
the child, with a long-drawn sigh. Il
want her to tell me stories"
''Delie seems to think she hofs
mortgage on mother" said the old
man; AN guess it's legaler an the
one some other folks hol."
Miranda WINGED, but she was too
wise to make him any answer. ''Goto
granpa," she said to Della. Hell
tell you bout Jack the Giant-killer.
II doesn't want to hear bout Jack e
Giant-killer," said the child, perverse-
ly. 'Gramma she telled me stories
bout little chillen love one anuver."
Her grandfather took her on his
knee.
THAT was said for grown-up folks as
we'll as for little children" he re-
marked, looking furtively at Miranda,
IAN it means that every body ought to
be lovin' an kind to each other"
'Gramma was lovin' an kind" said
Della.
The old man laid his cheek against
hers, but he drew back with startled
face.
why, Mirany, this child's sick" he
exclaimed. "She's got ragin' fever"
Miranda threw down her sewing and
snatched the child away from him.
Della was her idol.
Il want gramma, repeated the little
one, drowsily.
Just then Jason came in.
go telegraph for mother" cried
Miranda. Tell her not to wait for
anything"
When the doctor came the next after
noon he found his little patient nestled
in Hesba's lap, while, close beside them,
his. chin on his cane, and his face beam
ing like lovers, sat the old man.
"Ah, she is better" said the doctor.
''She is getting on finely"
Were all BETTER" piped the old
man, blinking behind his glasses.
"We've got our gramma back said
the child, contentedly. R. Slight,
in Harper's Bazaar.