The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-15
MY MOTHERS
SILK DRESS.
BY ELIzABErm srEwAKr.

around the fireside, mother, Dick, Kate
and myself. Dick sat ON a low stool
at mothers feet, with his curly head
resting ON her knee. Kate and |, with
our arms twined about each other,
lOunged ON old settee, which was drawn
Close to the old fireplace. We had been
very quiet, for some time, when Kate
broke the silence by saying.
Mamma, do tell Us a story ~
Mother laughed low, sweet laugh
a. she said: II should like to oblige
you Katherine mother always called
her Katherine, "but am afraid Dick
might object
Mamma" and Dicks head rose
very quickly, ''ifI am % and go to
college, do you suppose l will ever tire
Of listening to the delightful stories you
tell, " and having thus delivered him
self Dick's curly head sank back to its
resting place.
''1'ell us about the crimson silk that
we found in the chest, t,-mOther," coax
ed.
"Oh, Dick" Kate explained, ''yOu
ought to have been here the other day.
Louise and were looking through an
old chest on the attic and We found the
loveliest old fashioned dress you ever
saw. The grandest crimson silk, trim
med in heavy lace. Just my favOrite
color, too. We carried il down TO show
mother and she almost cried when she
saw it, and said there was story at
tached TO il and that some day We
should hear it
Dick was interested at once, ''Ies,
tell il, mamma" he said, ''it's just the
night TO hear a good story, with the
rain falling in torrents as it Is"
Mothers face had grown very
thoughtful while We talked, but when
Dick put in his plea she said:
'.The story is rather long and if
tell it you must promise not to get tir
ed. Ii was the hardest bat at the same
time the most valuable lesson | evel
learned
.'IfyOu remember" my mother be
gan, Il have told you that father Wa
a physician in small but prosperous
county town. We had always been il
comfortable circumstances, but the veal
previous to the one in which my story
opens. father, for some reason or other
had been Obliged TO mortgage his home
In mis- efforts to pay it off, We were com
PEELED 60 live in the strictest economy
was attending an academy that wa
in the town where We lived, and, il
hopes of being able TO assist father, wa
taking IA two years course in one year
30 that 1 could teach in the comm.
fall"
AT this time we received lette
from brother Richard, stating that Al
epidemic was spreading through tn
college and, as most Of the boys wer
leaving for home, he desired TO know
whether he should 90 or stay. Fathe
wrote NJ once that he should com
home. We were To have three week
vacation in March and was overjoye
when they told me Richard was con
ing home"
The day before Richard came, m
mother received a letter from my Aun
Ella begging that mother would let m
spend few weeks in the city with he
daughter.
Amy, feeling sure tha; mother woul
grant the favor, had enclosed eheel
for the amount that would cover tray
cling expenses
Mother, surely can go, can't l
Do say yes"
IL would ike very much 10 have va
90, dear, but | cannot say yes until
see your father she said, gently.
/ knew eoaxing would be in vain
for mother would never settle anythin
like this until she had talked it Ov,
with father. But he did not con
home until late that night, and as
was i'm bed / did not know whether
was TO go until the next mOring.
Before / was up mother came int
my room and could see by the expire
sion Of her face that ! was To 90.
She sat down by the side Of my be
and, taking my hand in hers said:
my daughter, after some consider;
ton, father and have decided to L
YOU 90 ON this visit But | will te
you candidly, had your aunt not kim
IN Offered 10 bear the expenses, K woul
have been impossible TO have you z
So father Wrote that YOU would lea'
here Friday morning, - that viii
the earliest | can get you ready, an
now, while We are here together an
have time, | wish to say 4 few words
YOU. Your aun. and uncle are world
society people and they do not lead Il
simple life We do. They live in gran
home and have every luxury that mol
ey can buy. Amy has fine clothes al
handsome ornaments and plenty
servants 10 wait upon her but, if {
a moment Thought that this ease al
luxury would make my daughter di
contented with her simple home life,
would hesitate long before / could ;;
yes to her going"
Esther, you have never been We
far from home, and that IS why
hesitated. You are thoughtless, dea
but remember how father and moth