Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-06-04
ANSAcT oFlUHARITY:


Mrs. Tom Walton was In . very COM
Portable frame Of mind and body.
~Tom" had come home for luncheon,
and had amiably started OF with their
guest, Grace Maynard, for the public
reception at the white house. Grace
was to 60 by the afternoon train, and
this was her last chance to see the
"Fist Lady Of the Land" as the news
papers call our democratic queen. Tom
would be coming home for dinner alone
after seeing Grace of, and there would
be chance again for their dear coy
evenings together. 1t was selfish, she
knew; but she was glad that they were
not to have any more visitors. Nobody
would be coming to Washington, now
that the season was so nearly over, and
she could have Tom all to herself. She
looked lazily out Of the window and
saw her husband and Grace boarding a
car at the corner. NH3 4
There is scarcely anything more en-
tertaining to student Of democratic
government than an afternoon recep-
ton at the white house. Mr.. Walton
and his charge had stood long and per-
severingly 'in line" first out in the
street, then gradually pushed along
within the grounds, till at last they
found themselves standing in solemn
file, Grace in front, at the very thresh-
old of the blue room. Just ahead were
two tiny but bold flgures-a small,
dark-eyed Jewess and her smaller
brother-"Nliss Zimmerman and Mr..
Zimmerman" they gave their names to
the inquiring usher; miss Cinnamon
and Mr.. Cinnamon" he shouted, in
stentorian tones, as they passed along
the magic circle within which stood the
receiving party.
Back of these was q curious-looking
old woman with huge green veil tied
over her head and ears and tiny, faded
old black shawl gathered around her
shoulders.
"Wall, now, it's good for sore eyes to
see ye," she said, as she shook hands
lingeringly with one Of the cabinet To-
dies. BE We Mrs. Cleveland? Wall,
now. can't see ez ye look much like
yourpicture that I've got at home. That
looks just like my Cynthy did before
she died." Her tones were croaking
but there was an upward curve Of hap
py pride In the wrinkles about the kind
" old eyes.
"Move on, there!" came the rough
voice Of the policeman. And Grace and
Mr.. Walton found themselves taking
the woman's place; and then, all In @
breath, they were out in the great room
beyond, amusing themselves by listen
ing to the broken English Of group o.
Coreans who stood in one corner, gay
in native costume. with their odd capl
on their heads.
-Four o'clock already" said Mr. Wal
ton, looking at his watch 1--WE shall
have to hurry, if you want to see thu
conservatory"
just as Mr.. Walton was putting Grac'
on her train, Mrs. Walton drawled I,
lazy ~Come!" to the maid who brough
her the afternoon post There wer
two letters. One, a tat one, from
young cousin of MIR. Walton's, sh
opened first:
my DEAR HErTY: gather from Tom
letters that you two are stu mooninI
along In your nuptial bliss, not settle,
down enough to enjoy visitors. So Tn no
coming to see you. But you can't CUES
where l have been!
1T seems year or two, but it's rcall.
only north, I've spent with a dear funn.
I
knew what It would be like TO live tina
way, but Gooseberryville exceeded my mos
fantastic visions
! Aunt Martha lives in little old place
not picturesque enough to be called cot
tage, and not slzabe enough TO be house
just pumped my brain to remember al
the news for years back Of anybody con
nected with our enormous family. Sh
would roll plecrust while / washed tea
cups; or, to be less poetic, but more FIRE
quently true, she filled the oil lamps Will
secured the griddlcpans-or polished u
the gilt frame of Mr.. Cleveland picture II
the parlor
Poor old soul! heard that the villager
about there call her Ruts' found tina
she had had for breakfast ever since sh
was left alone, which is several months age
griddlecakes and molasses; for dinner
bread without butter and half pie; an,
for supper the rest Of the pie and brea'
; and cheese with cup of tea. She said I
was cheaper and easier; she never had beef
much Of hand at accounts and In tina
way she could tell Just how much sh
spent. and keep within her income
"While was there, OF course pal,
board, and / Instituted a change as sh
called 1t. At first she wouldn't cat but ON
or two different things at one meal; but
soon coaxed her into looking up all he
famous old recipes. and left her new
creature. She got 60 much fatter ant
brighter that you would hardly have know
her.
There's no use of sending her money
for she won't like It, But II you and Ton
could send her new shawl and new dark
green vell-she never goes out without thes
two things, part of her 'rut'--why, sh'
would put In better appearance, the dea
old SOUL
THE visit has really done me good. too
I was getting into rut, myself, II no
quite as narrow a one as Aunt Martha's.
Most affectlonately, your cousin.
FLORENCE"
Tom Walton was hurrying home