Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-28
senRer 70 the VILLAGE.

L n III
showed the keen regret he felt in leav-
ing mother, friends and home. There
was no bravado or assumed careless
ness In II. One felt that tears were ol-
most ready 70 start-probably would
when the excitement of separation was
over But there was no weakness in
the FACET expressed high purpose and
firm resolution. IL was hard for him
to go like this; but once started he
would never turn back--he would ac-
complish what he set about, quietly
and determinedly. He was one of those
boys you trust instinctively, feeling
that good mothers influence is strong
| within him.
II seemed so real. one could almost
fancy hearing the parting words: God
bless you, my boy. BE true 10 your
self, and do not forget your home and
mother"
Uncle Henry regarded the picture for
some time in silence. II evidently ap-
pealed to him strongly, for as he
looked his face took on Retrospective
expression. The passing crowds were
unheeded The time, the place were
alike forgotten. The memory Of the
White City-of forty years of toll and
hardship that came before-faded from
his memory like dream when one
awakens He forgot everything but a
little New Hampshire homestead and n
weeping mothers last farewell.
Some one In passing brushed rudely
against him. He started as one who is
aroused from slumber; then turning TO
his sister naked,
mighty purity pickcher, amt II,
AliceP"
eyes, tits; right purity"
ut minds me somehow Of that day
left home. Don't 1t you, Alice2"
Eyes, IL does"
it9"
Forty year, come next May"
That chap there's just about my age
then. And you was the size of that
little girl, too. Queer, amt II? Alice,
that day comes back so clear / see IL ali
mother tellin' me good-by, and father
bringin' the team round to the front
door, and you standin' there cryin-all
SO plaini
And / member her last words, too
Henry, II breaks my heart TO let you
go, but guess it's for the best Iltnow
you'll always be a man, and not do
what you'd be ashamed to tell father
and me about won't you, my boy?
THAT was forty year ago, and all
that time that scene has stood out In
my mind just as plain as II Ihal a foty-
graf of it there And this pickcher
minds me Of it powerful Somehow it
brings it all back, and for awhile
sorter forgot and ina gined was leav-
in home agin'."
There were tears in Alice's eyes,
while sort Of haze gathered on Uncle
llenry's old-fashioned Eyeglasses, and
he found 1t necessary TO wipe them
with his handkerchief
"Sayp he exclaimed, as though
struck by sudden idea, ~ wonder
who made that chrome. II l knew the
man I'd offer i'm two dollars to make
me another jest like it Yes would"
he persisted, in answer to an incredu-
lous glance from his wife. "rt high, /
reckon, the way pichchers sell now
days, but I'd be willin' to give II for
this. I'd like to have 1t in a nice black
walnut frame hung over the organ in
the parlor."
"It's kind Of purity, but l don't see
nothing very wonderful about it," said
his wife.
Course notl You wasn't there. You
didn't break no home-ties like l did.
Always lived close TO your ma and pa
till they died. But tell you know
how IL feels TO leave good home and
the best mother in the world, and go
way off where the probability is you'll
never see 'em ag'in. know how boy
feels about then. for I've been through
the mill. Say, Flora, do you reckon II
you was to take paintin' lessons you
could do such piclSchers as that?"
81 reckon so," was the answer
"Well, I'll tell ye what we'll do.
When we sit back home, you may go
to that paintin' teacher and hav1 'er
learn you to paint, But il was you l
wouldn't pay no great attention to
maxim sunilowcrs and cat-tails III
was painter I'd make somethin' like
that-somethin' common folks like me
can understand and appreciate. /
wouldn't waste two seconds drawin'
long-legged storks and posies nobody
never sees CROWN. Maybe these are
all well enough, and the reason can't
appreciate 'em is because ! amt up on
such things. But what do like is
pickcher like this-somethin' you can
look ut and study, and feel the better
for doin' it."-Walter Hall Jewett. in
Chicago Graphic.