Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-03-03

g sSEI ETHk OF '93. 1t brought
NsSS2SgsSS s. her a cup of min
i9@s$SS ! gled disappo in t.
teSg6SS9eSI ment and joy. The
disappoi m n t
was on top and was very bitter, but
there followed draught of sweet
ness that washed away all sense of
bitterness.
One April day letter came con-
tanning fifty dollars in paper money
two twenties and one ten. These
words closed the accompanying mis-
sive:
81 send money for mothers tick
ct to and from the Worlds Fair. She
must come about the tenth of May /;
there will be a general rally of all
the Winthrops here at that time. 1t
gives me great pleasure to be able
to thus express, in a small degree
for her. Your affectionate son,
RALPH"
"Dear boy, how hard he has work
ed to earn this money. / fear l shall
do wrong in spending IT." she said,
tears gathering in her eyes.
"Never fear, mother, the hey
couldn't put it to better use,' ans
wered Mr. Dalton. "We are all
glad you can CO."
If you and the children were 60
Ing too, should Re very happy"
she said.
Never mind US, we are planning
for plenty of fun during your alb
sence. Besides I had my outing last
year at the encampment," said he.
Encouraged thus by all the family
and yielding to her own inclinations,
she began to prepare for the journey.
The time was short and there was
much to be done.
Twenty-Five years before she had
left her childhood's home in anEast-
ern State to settle in the far West
with young John Dalton.
1t had been one long struggle with
failures, losses and poverty. Money
had been too scarce to admit of a
visit TO the old home, and she had
not seen her parents in all those long
years.
Three years before, Ralph, the ell
dest son, had gone to Chicago to
work in store, since which she had
not seen him. At Christmas he had
written that he could send no gift.
but in the spring would send money
for trip to the Worlds Fair, if
mother would accept Many rela-
tives would be there and they could
arrange to have family reunion.
Although protesting against her
sons generosity, and writing him
not to send the money, she had per-
mitted herself to anticipate the trip
all winter. Over and over she had
met her father and mother. Would
their faces be so wrinkled, their heads
so Written ed, that she would hardly
know them
Then there was the darling baby
sister, whose pink face she had kiss
ed twenty-five years ago. She would
be at the Fair with her young hus
banda man of great wealth they
had written. She would be elegant
ly attired. Would she love her
plain sister? They had great world
ly wealth, but would they have the
wealth of love and kindness that had
ever gladdened her home, though
want had sometimes Swallowed it?
Baby Brother Benny would be
there, who though twenty five years
old was still baby to the one who
had never seen him.
But, better than all, she would see
Ralph, the affectionate, dutiful SON
whose departure had taken so much,
from the home-circle.
These anticipations gave her much
pleasure, but now that their realiza-
tion was so near she was very happy.
Placing the money in a small tin
trunk where valuables we're kept, she
secreted it in a closet off room that
had lately been added to their house.
The main part was frail, wooden at
fair built on low ground near the
river.
1t was late spring, heavy SHOWS
melted slowly until there came co
pious rains. Then the great drifts
vanished like magic, and every pond
lake and stream in the country was
swollen to its utmost.
One afternoon, about a week after
the money came, Mrs. Dalton and
Emily, the only daughter, we're fin
ishing the travelling dress, when Mr.
Dalton came in 10 say:
.The river Is within ten inches o
high-water mark, and if the ice gorg