St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-01-27
w. g. KENTZEL, Editor.


toward the open door. In his hand
was q carpetsack like those our grand.
fathers carried; it held the few belong
ings of 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
anxiously into the young mans face as
though striving to fathom the meaning
OF the strange solemnity. A younger
sister, mere child-stood near.
Through the open door could be seen
the driver waiting to convey his pas
sengcr to the village.
The boys face was study. It
showed the keen regret he felt in leav-
ing mother, friends and home. There
was no bravado or assumed careless
ness in il. One felt that .cars were al
most ready to start-probably would
when the excitement of separation was
over. But there was no weakness in
the facc-itexpressed high purpose and
firm resolution. 1t was hard for him
To go like this: but once started he
would never turn back-he would &c.
complish what he set about, quietly
and determinedly. He was one of those
boys you trust instinctivcly, feeling
that good mothers influence is strong
within him.
1t seemed SO real. one could almost
fancy hearing the parting words: ''Iod
bless you. my boy. BE true to your
self, and do not forget your home and
mother"
Uncle Henry regarded the picture for
some time in silence. 1t e-idently ap-
pealed to him strongly. for as he
looked his face took on a retrospective
expression. The passing crowds were
UNDECIDED. The time, the place were
alike forgotten. The memory of the
White City-of forty years of toll and
his memory like a dream when one
awakcns- He forgot everything but a
little New Hampshire homestead and a
weeping mothers last farewell
Some one in passing brnshcd rudely
against him. He started as one who is
aroused from slumber; then turning to
his sister. asked:
Mighty purity pickcher. amt it.
Alice?'
''Yes, It's; right purity"
ut minds me somehow of that day l
left home. Don't it you, Alice?'
''Yes, it does"
Must be bout forty years ago. amt
it?'
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 it? Alice,
that day comes back SO clear see it all
mother tellin' me good-by. and father
bringin' the team round to the front
door, and you standin' there cryin'-all
SO plain!
And member her last words. too
Henry. it breaks my heart to let you
go. but guess it's for the best Iknow
you'll always be . 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 If Ihad foty-
graf of it there. And this pickcher
minds me of it powerful Somehow it
brings it all back, and for awhile l
sorter forgot and ina gined was leav-
in home agin'."
There were tears in Alice's eyes,
while sort of haze gathered ON Uncle
Henry's old-fashion ed eyeglasses. and
he found it necessary to wipe them
with his handkerchief.
''Say- he exclaimed, as though
struck by q sudden idea. Il 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, i"
he persisted, in answer to an incredu-
lous glance from his wife. ..rt high. I
reckon, the way pickchers sell now
days. but I'd be willin' to give it for
this. I'd like to have it in q nice black
walnut frame hung over the organ in
the parlor."
Its kind of purity. but I don't see
nothing very wonderful about it." said
his wife.
Course not. You wasn't there. You
didn't break no home-ties like did
Always lived close to your ma and pa
till they died. But tell you know
how it feels to leave . good home and
the best mother in the world, and go
way off where the probability is you'll
never sec 'cm ag'in. know how a boy
feels about then. for I've been through
the mill. Say. flora, do you reckon if
you was to take paintin' lessons you
could do such pickchers as that?"
II reckon so,"' was the answer.
"WelI. I'll tell ye what we'll do.
When we git back home, you may go
to that paintin' teacher and have 'er
learn you to paint But if was you I
wouldn't pay no great attention to
maxim sunflowers and cat-tails If
was a painter I'd make somethin' like
that-somethin' common folks like me
can understand and appreciate.
wouldn't waste two seconds drawin'
long-legged storxs and posies nobody
never sees CROWN. Maybe these arc
all we'll enough. and the reason can't
appreciate 'em is because amt up on
such things But what do like is q
pickcher like this-somethin' you can
look at and study, and feel the better
for doin' it"-Walter Hall Jewett. in
Chicago Graphic.
Crashing the Clcrk.
The hotel clerk who is dip may be =
prize package to his employer. because