Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-18
No. BOOB.
How It Drew a Great Prize in
Loves Lottery.

kitchen table kneading the bread, a
snowy cap surrounding her sweet old
face like a sort of working-day halo, a
white apron tied around her ample
waist At sixty her color was as fresh
as that of girl, her eyes blue as the
blue heavens above.
Ezra, her adopted son-Friend Min
ton and his wife had been childless--
had Just brought In basket Of russell
apples, the very last in the corner bin
OF the barn cellar. He leaned against
the kitchen window, playing nervously
with the big, velvcty leaves of the
monster fish geranium that blossomed
there. lie was n tall, manipulating
young fellow, with clear brown eyes, n
fresh complexion, and hair that grew
In a curly mat all over his bead
Friend Mary's glance softened as she
looked at him. II was evident that he
was the very apple OF her eye.
"Why not, mother2" said he. ~
know the village gossips don't like the
Calverly family; but you're not one of
the gossiping kind"
"She's very young, Ezra" mcditative-
ly answered Friend Mary, "and very
pretty"
"Oh! II you call those crimes"
"Wait n minute, Ezra, thee has not
heard me out regret deeply that in
stead OF going TO live with Friend War
burton, the minister's wife, she has
preferred to enter the factory where
there arc so many giddy girls and care
less young men"
But the pay was so much better,
mother"
"Man doth not live by bread alone"
oracularly answered Friend Mary.
Thee has been carefully brought up,
Ezra. Thee must consider what Is right
and seemly in the way OF mntrimony.
Thy father and | would break our
hearts II thee went wrong after all our
hopes and prayers"
~ trust that shall never do that,
mother"
But thee must remember, Ezra,
how powerful an influence the wife ex-
erts over the usband."
Mother, are you very much set
against Evelinc Calverly?"
Friend Mary hcsitated for a moment.
~ think II would break my heart,
Ezra" she answered, III thee were to
wed with daughter Of lIeth, like
Eveline."
Then that settles the question, said
Ezra, quickly. you have done every
thing for me, mother was house
less, homeless, friendlcss, when you
took me in and cared for me, and
would be an migrate, indeed, to turn
against your wishes now. But,
L. I, { Ia.
Let me go TO Uncle Aaron, out in Mon
tana, until-until get over this"
Friend Mary lifted her tender blue
eyes with plying light to his face.
''Is 1t so hard with thee as that, my
son" said she. "Oh, am sorryl IL
could almost find It in my heart"
Although" he interrupted, with n
forced laugh, "l'm not by any means
so certain that Evclinc would have me,
even II asked her Gerard Winthrop
is going there Il good deal OF late"
Yes" quietly spoke Friend Mary,
who by this time had patted her white,
firm loavcs into shape in their shining
oblong pans, all ready for the oven,
land that is one thing do not like
lie is interested, they tell me, in u
great lottery scheme; he is the agent Of
company down south. The factory
young people have bought tickets.
| Eveline among the rest"
Mother, can hardly believe that"
1.-THE superintendent himself told
me, Ezra" said Friend Mary, closing
the open door with a gentle click. "Ilc
regretted exceedingly that Winthrop
had gained such footing there. Yes,
my son, perhaps thee had better go TO
Brother Aaron for n few months. Thee
needs a change"
So Ezra Minton decided TO take the
step that seemed like wrenching soul
aud body apart. Friend Mary counted
out his socks, saw to the buttons on his
shirts, refined the little leather trunk
with pretty paper and shed few tears
into the neat box of handkerchiefs as
she packed them away.
"lf Montana were not such n dis.
lance on" she sighed to herself, "or
II he could go any other way except by
those dreadful flying trainsl Thank
goodness, / never was on one, and,
please Heaven, | never will bel To me
1t seems little short Of tempting OF
Providence"
She sat sorrowfully in the chimney
corner on the evening Of Ezra's depart
ure, pairing the russell apples to make a
dish OF apple sauce. How loudly the
kitchen clock ticlSedl How lonely the
great silent room seemedl
81 think | did right" she said to her
self, land yet"
Hushl There was knock at the
door The minister's wife, perhaps, OF
Janet Golbe, the carpet-weaver, who
lived under the mountain, come to Dor
row the dye-kettle.
Come In, FREUD, whoever thee may
be-" said Friend Mary.
And Eveline Calverly entered the
room, looking under her little daisy
trimmed bonnet. like a veritable daisy
herself.
Are you alone, Mrs. Minton9" SAID
she, glancing timidly around. "oh,
want TO talk to you so muchl"
~ am alone, Eveline," said thu
widow, her heart involuntarily warm
ing toward the pretty, 1ower-lik'
young thing Ezra had cared for. "Bu
II thee does not mind, thee may cal
me Friend Mary 1t sounds more suit
able 10 my ears"
III II isn't too familiar" faltere'
Eveline you see, | wanted 10 tall
20 some one on whom could depend
IL have got lottery ticket here,
showing tho white CLEAN of u strip o
sN~A~S In hsr hand. 4heg coaxsd I'M