The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-04-11

many women TO an almost incredible de-
gree. Besides, as Silelce often whispered
to her husband when little things Jared
upon him and irritated him, she was his
mother. and she loved him. in her own
odd way. perhaps. but with a love OF
which there could be no doubt and no
denial. Still, even love can work no mira
cles. nor blend together opposing natures,
characters and lives into sudden ana
everlasting harmony: and when, having
nursed her ''child,' as she called Silence,
into comparative health, and given hcr
grand,hi his grandfather's name, Mrs.
Jardine proposed to 80 home, earnestly
begging her son to leave Blackhall anu
come and settle in Richcrden, Roderick
gently but steadily declined. He did not
say no, even to his own wife, but he felt
it would be far better that they two
should continue to live at Blackhall ana
his mother and sisters at Richerden.
All, and especially Bella. were quite
"well and happy" Mrs. Jardlne said.
How mach she knew of the events OF last
Christmas, or the differences between
Mr.. and Mrs. Alexander Thomson. did
not transpire. At all events. she never
talked about these troubles: it was not
'respectablc."
But despite their diverse way of view
ing things, there was a straightforward
ness and right-heartedness about Roder-
ick's mother which. when her son saw 1t
through fresh, clear eyes. and especially
through his wife's eyes. suificed to bllnd
him wholesomely to her faults. No fear
of any more ''ditiicnlties to the end OF
their days. And when. the last sunday
she was with him. he went. Il little against
his will, but Just to please her. to me ugly
Presbyterian Church six miles off, ana,
sitting between his wife and his mother,
listened to the singing, rather nasal and
drawing. but not unswect. of the sd
Psalm.
MY table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head with oil Thou dost anoint,
And my cup ovcrfioWs,'
his heart melted. for he felt his cup did
indeed "overflow
His table" too. was likely to be fur
nishcd"-better than he had once had any
hope of. When his mother spoke OF buSl-
ness matters, and insisted on his giving
mp his work nj the mill, and living as Il
'g~pntleman." he had refused point-hlank.
declaring his determination to cary" out
his W fortune. and make his own indie
pendent way in the world. Bat when. Oh
the day of baby's clri>tcning. he found
that Mrs. Jardinc. who never did things
by halves. and was as generous III her
loves as ungenerous in her dislikcS, had
settled upon baby's mother not father
Il sum of several thousand pounds. suf-
ticient TO remove all fear of the future
from the parents hearts. Rodcrick was
deeply moved.
"She is a good Woman-my mother. My
father was right to respect her and love
her. as he did TO the very last. God bless
them, | have need to be proud of both
my parents.
"les,'' said silence, gently, as she
stopped and kissed her son. who lay fast
asleep on her lap. But her own life taught
her TO understand other lives; what were,
and what they might have been.
And her life is all before her still. for
she is yet comparatively Il Young woman.
though her boys-and she has not one. but
sevcral-begin to measure" heights with
her. and TO reckon how soon they will be
up to mothers shoulder" Father" is a
standard which none of them hope to ar
rive 1T. tititI pm, Sltull.. nI'Iit'IlA, VI
morally. To be so tall. SO clever, or so
good as he-none of these lad could ever
imagine such a thing. They do not mere
ly love him, they adore him. And they
are right, or at least two people, their
mother and their grandmother. believe SO.
Roderick .Jardine lives still at Black
hall, keeping up the old family home in
comfort, but yet in great simplicity, as is
.-.,o,t x-.,I L., f,a;l- d,
sides. his early experiences have given
him a horror of luxury, of that wealth
which is mere wealth and nothing more.
The Jardincs of Blackhall hold them
selves to be truly rich" people. because
they always have a little more than they
spend; they use their money without
abusing it, and therefore enjoy it to the
uttermost. and cause others besides them
selves to enjoy It. too. But their sons are
all brought up to abhor extravaganza,
waste, or self-indulgcnce. aware that
each will have to make his own way in
the world. as is best for every man, and
woman. too. perhaps. Sometimes Rodcrick
says if he had many girls he would bring
them up, like the boys. to earn their W
living-as their mother once did-So that
they might taste the sweetness of indie
pendent bread. and never be tempted for
aught but love. But he has only one Girl.
his little"Tacita"-hcr right name is
Silence but he will not have her called
one of "papa's odd ways as he grows
older.
He may never be. strictly speaking. a
great" man, but everybody recognizes
him as Il cultivated man of very consider
able talcnt-'knoWn in the gates,' as his
wife dclightedly sees, every year more
and more. But it is more by his pen than
his personality. for he seldom goes from
home. except once a year to Richerden to
see his mother and the family. A not too
family. but he is very kind to
them, even TO Mrs. Alexander Thomson
and her numerous brood of sickly, i'll
tempered children, whom she brings with
her sometimes 10 get a breath of whole
life. within and without, in the hap
e ~ I1-I