The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-03-04


something's"
No, ! guess not Harry. was about
asleep"
Don't you want a glass of water by
your bed? Mamma said you'd better
have it." he held the door half open.
and squeaked it back and forth.
No, never have to drink nights"
us your bell where you can reach it
if you want anything??"
Eyes, it's right here by the bed"
well, good night. I hope you'll feel
better in the morning, grandma"
Good night, dear; / guess / will"
He shut the door. and she heard him
going down the stairs two steps at a
time.
The peace Of Inconsistencies again
fell around her, and the loniiness and
inconsistencies that she felt SO keenly
amid all this care were forgotten. Her
happiness had always been in minis
tering to others.
With the first light of morning she
woke again. Somewhere a rooster
was Growing, with as vigorous and
hearty a cheer as ever a b~arn-yard
fowl broke into the dawn.
She listened, but there was no an
swering call; just that one repeated
over and over again.
We'll, Inever heard the like! Seems
as it he was just put there to wake me
up to think what I want to get away
from. / don't see how he has any
heart to crow into all this hollowness."
The deep grassy yard around her old
home, heavy with dew. and the early
morning music of the farm, came SO
clear to her. Thoughts Of the forty
years of her married life and the joys
and ~sorrows'she had lived through with
Thomas crowded again into her mind.
After long hours, when she heard the
servants stirring about the house, she
got up and dressed. and went out into
the hall and down the stairs. The
great rooms below seemed more
empty and desolate than her own.
She felt no part or place anywhere in
them. Her stopped little figure, re-
fected in the long mirrors, looked
dwarfed and unnatural to her. She
Strengthened the lavender bows on
her cap before one Of them, and went
and sat down at a window in the back
Of the room.
The early morning hours until now
had always been 50 full of duties
There had been the breakfast to get
for Thomas; and before her two daugh-
ters bad married and gone away she
had had her thought and care for them;
and there had been the chickens to
feed and the milk to skim.
She folded her hands and looked out
OF the window. There was a small
yard, high walled, with two trees. and
worn grass growing around the edges.
"A box with Stats nailed across the
front stood under q of the trees and
thrusting his head between the Stats
was the rooster who had disturbed her
rest.
IF could get down to you I'd let
you out, You poor creature" she said,
aloud.
"Well, you'd have Billie Moore after
you if you did, grandma" One of her
grandsons had come into the room.
Whats the sense in his shutting
eAns AoooocA up hAde "dy lit CCuiOn Z
get away if he wanted to, over those
brick walls"
Il don't know. Billie only got him
yesterday. The old thing woke me up
at daylight"
HE woke me up, too" she said, with
a weary sigh.
breakfasts ready; they're all at
the table. Mamma sent me to look for
YOU"
Il didn't suppose it was so late"
They went out to the table in the
large dining-room, where the others
were waiting. A servant was bringing
in the breakfast This was always a
happy meal in this happy family.
Matte and her husband talked of their
own interests and the three boys kept
up a steady little stream of converse
ton.
They were all very kind and thought
full of her, and she condemned herself
for her feelings of separation and lone
illness. She tried to believe hat she
was beginning to find her place in this
home which was not her own.
After breakfast she wandered rest
lessly about the house for some time.
and at last put on her bonnet and
shawl, and said she was going out for
a little walk.
Matte offered to 60 with her. or send
one of the boys.
"No, l want to go alone. l don't
want to be dependent for every step l
take. There don't seem to be anything
for me to do in the house. I've got to
get out and breathe or I'll chafe."
Il wish you'd let me send Mary with
you, anyway, mother. I'll worry all
the time about you"
Mrs. Allen turned toward her daugh-
An. Aho 4no.u rN-sn~..- -