Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-28
LEAVING HOME.
Unclo Henry's Heart Is Touched
by a Familiar Picture.

they entered was the Art palace. II
must not be inferred from this fact that
they loved art-not at all. They came 10
this structure simply because IL was O
part Of the exposition they had not Wis
tied before. They had come several
hundred miles TO see the fair, and IL
would weigh heavily on their minds II
they failed to see any portion OF IT. I'm
PEELED by stern sense of duty, they
had done" every building, from the
convent OF La Rabida to Horticultural
hall-even though the exhibits in
some of them were as unintelligible
To them as the inscriptions on an Egypt
ian obelisk. Tho Art palace and the
Fisheries building alone remained 10
b. visited; and II was 10 complete their
cycle of sightseeing that they had
come TO the fair this morning.
IL took no close observer TO see that
they were simple, well-to-do country
people. One knew instinctively that
their paths had lain in sequestered
places, through cool, green pastures,
where mild-eyed kline grazed contented-
ly and birds sang through the long sum
mer days 1t was plain TO be seen by
their honest faces that they were far
better versed in the ways Of nature
than In the wiles of man. This trip tc
the fair was the supreme event OF their
livcs-the brightest bit OF color woven
into the dull gray warp and wool Of
their existence. They had never before
seen anything more important than a
county fair; and this great carnival OF
the nations seemed so stupendous and
ovcrpowering that sometimes feeling
of ave came over them. They realized
the hopelcssncss of seeing and comprc-
hcnding more than a small part Of the
whole. At such times, I'm Gle Henry
would sigh and sadly remark that he
"reclSoucd" 1t was too big for him.
Uncle Henry was the head OF the
family. lie had kind, honest face,
and look of simplicity that was re-
freshing. Lucy, his wife, was hearty,
buXom old lady, who looked Mt peace
with the whole world. Their youngest
child was with thcm--a pretty, budding
girl OF seventeen or thcrcabouts. Then
there was Uncle Ilcnrys sister, an old
maid, whose patient face gave evidence
that her life had been one long sacri-
Gee for the welfare Of others.
81 never did care no very great sight
for chromos," remarked Uncle Henry,
Us they passed rapidly through the va
rlou3 sections
~ kind % like TO see 'em," said his
wlfc, but dear mel Here's so many
you git all mixed mp, You can't begin
10 stop and look at 'em all close, for II
you did you wouldn't git through in all
day"
Ma, look herol" called the girl, at
tracted by painting of bouquet of
gorgeous flowers. "Ain't this beauti-
iul? Wish had it. Reckon they'd
sell it, pap
Course" answered her father "Sell
anything here for money"
Wont you buy 1t for me2" she
coavcd.
Whats the use buyin' pickchers
when you git such nice ones free with
every pound OF tea you buy2" Uncle
Henry asked.
But they're not like these here, pa.
These are all painted. They're only
printed"
"oh, see. All done by hand, ehP
Wal, think some OF 'em better been
left undone."
E They sat down on one of the sofas to
rest
Ma, want TO learn to paint" said
the girl. There's lady stays at the
Johnson's who teaches folks TO make
pictures. Can't learn2"
II reckon it's nice 10 know how to do
such things said the mother, "What
do you think about it, Ilenry?"
"IhinlS it's ponsensel" said Henry,
decisivcly. "No earthly use. Let Flora
learn TO paint, and our house would
soon be reglar pickcher gallery, like
this. You gointo the Johnson's, where
that teacher stays, and you see sun
ilower here and cat-tail there, and a
long'lcRged bird of some sort over yon-
der. Johnson was tellin' me his girls
had got the craze so bad they even
decorated the coal-scuttle and the
spade, and wouldn't let him use 'em.
If Flora wants to learn to paint, I'll git
some white lead and oil and let 'er
tackle the front-yard fence"
No one made any response, and he
continued: "We've seen all this we
want to, guess Let's go over TO that
place where the queer fishes is"
They were passing through n gallery
In the United States section, trying 10
find an outlet The old maid sister,
who brought up the rear of the little
group, stopped to examine picture
more closely.
Look here, Henry" she said.
Tho picture to which she called his
attention was entitled: "Brealxing
Home Ties" The scene was n plain,
bare room in an d.fashioned farm.
house. a lad, perhaps eighteen, was
leaving his boyhood's home to go out
alone into the broad, unknown world.
His mother, an inlnity Of maternal af-
lection In her fearful eyes, stood by
him, both her hands resting on his
shoulders. The boys father had turned
towarl the open door In his hand
was carpetsaclS like those our grand
fathers carried; 1t held the few belong
ings ot the departing lad. The aged
grandmother regarded the scene, a look
of sadness IN her patient face. A young
lady sister sat near by, her hand rest
ing on the head of the family dog-a
great, noble animal, that looked
anNiously into the young mans face as
though striving 20 fathom the meaning
of the strange solemnity. A younger
sister-a mere child-stood near
Through the open door could be seen
'@- A-'-''- '"-i'ias IA. hanyuv hiz Sns.