Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1895-11-12
A CRUEL KINDNESS.

Ik% w #ltdf put Vney stilA lived
FlAD on in the same old
fashioned methods
OF the past half-century, clinging to
the chairs and tables they had when
they were married, even retaining the
little squealxy piano that had been
Ann Maria's before she married rich
foreigner and changed to Anita Marie.
The cradle she was rocked in when a
baby, manufactured out of a barrel by
her adoring father, and covered skill
fully with rose-colored chintz, had
been sent up to the attic, for 1t offended
her fine sense of esthetics when she
came home to visit. The rag carpet in
the living room was the work of leisure
hours and had been in service twenty
odd years, and the old man used to say
lovingly while he regarded it with ad-
miring eyes: You'll never make an
other carpet like that, motherl" 1t
was like the last painting of great
artist to him.
And now the old people had taken an
outing that was to last a whole week,
the result of conspiracy in which Ann
Maria was chief mover, who was aided
and abetted by her sisters who were
married and settled in the same town,
and whom she was visiting.
While the old couple were gone, the
conspirators possessed themselves of
the key of the homestead, entered it
stealthily and began what they con-
sidered work of reform, which also
was expected to be delightful sur
prise to those most interested.
We'll get that dreary old piano out
of the way first" SAID its former owner,
who had one now that cost Thousand
dollars, ''and the old rag carpet-it
gives me chill to see it; and all those
dreadful framed photographs and chro-
mos-I have few oil paintings that l
brought down with me on purpose to
replace them; and that red tablecloth--
Sophie, do you remember when we
used to learn our lessons on that fam
ing thing? 1t looks as awfully red as
ever, doesn't it?"
Yes" answered Sophie, with dis
tinct sigh; II wonder If we are as hap
py now as we were then, or If our con-
ditions depend SO much on surround
ings-fne furniture, for instance?"
"Pshawl" said Ann Maria, with en-
phasis. "We must move with the
world or be run over. Here, take
those old peacock feathers and stow
them away somewhere. l suppose it
wouldn't do to burn them? l once
thought the eyes in those feathers
watched everything / did. Well leave
grandfather's clock, because it's genu-
inc and fad now in the best society,
and the older the better"
So they tore up, and tore down, and
in few hours really modern air per-
vaded every nook and corner. A pref
ty new carpet--not too gay but with
pleasing assortment of colors-took
the place of the despised rag carpet.
New chairs, handsome rug an up
holstered easy chair for father" and
a modern rocker for mother" sup
planted the long-used furniture of the
past, and the faded old photographs
we're removed to make room for smart
paintings in consistent style with the
new order of things. A white mar
seilles counterpane replaced the old
log-cabin quilt, every square of which
had been as an open book for mother"
to read. Other innovations were made
throughout, and then the conspirators
paused to look on their handiwork and
take breath.
That's the first work I've done in
twenty years." said Ann Maria, wip-
ing her flushed face with real lace
handkerchief, "but I'd just like to see
the dear old couple when they open
the door!"
"I'm afraid they'll object to having
the piano out of sight" said one of the
sisters, but they're sure to like every
thing else. Mother would never let
me touch a chair, even to straighten it
outs so I knew the only way was to
take her by surprise. Old folks get
cranky about things they have had a
long time. 1t isn't good for them to
make idols out of old furniture"
Il should say not" added Ann Ma
ria, besides, it isn't the fashion now
as it was few years ago. was real