Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-06-18

on Saturday. To work hard for a
living has been my lot."
Later, Eben, the youngest son,
was sent to college. After having
had the benefit of classical educa-
tion he studied for a profession, but
ultimately became a teacher in a
high school, where his life work was
appreciated by parents and pupils.
Nelson was proud of his young
brother, and never manifested par
had ticle of envy that so much more
been done for Eben than for him
self. Memories were his of the hard
ships of his parents, and he was glad
that 1t had been his privilege to be
an assistance to them in their early
struggles.
Some members Of the Montague
family had married poor, and with
little families CROWN up around
them, they often came home asking
Of " Mother" for this or that that
was lying unused about the old home
and would be of great convenience
to them. The mother always gave
freely, cheerfully, and encouraged
their asking; yet from force of
habit she almost invariably said,
Yes, you can have it; but if YOU
WANT our own folks, you'd not get
it," Or, " / suppose, bein' our own
folks, you must have it," The chill
dren understood their mothers IA
vorite expression, and hardly heard
it; at least, it made no impression
upon them to prevent their asking
for other things, as, indeed, she had
no desire that-it should.
When Mary, the oldest daughter,
was married, the Montagues we're
not so we'll off as they were later
But things had accumulated in the
house; for Mr.. Montague had his
popularity as well as his wife, and
his habit was to attend auctions,
vendue, it was then called generally,
a French word meaning sale, or sold
off, and pronounced by them vandu.
From such sales Mr.. Montague
brought home many unnecessary ar
ticles, of which they already had
duplicates in the house but instead
of scolding about her husbands
wasting money, Mrs. Montague Sc
lected the best OF the articles and
put them away, wisely nodding her
head and saying to herself, "This
will do for Mary to begin with"
Mrs. Montague had married young,
and took it for granted that her chill
dren would do the same. When
Mary was married and needed "a set
ting OUT what with the taxes to
pay and the carpenters who were
building new barn, Mr.. Montague
had little ready money. However,
for all practical purposes, Mary had
a plentiful outfit from home. Still,
though her mother parted with few
things that she herself needed, she was
telling the neighbors, as
they came in, of her empty house,
and saying, in her loud, cheerful
tones, " Mary has just robbed me :"
but then she would add, "Well,
well, you know, Mary's our own
folks"
In due time the old cradle was
brought down out of the garret for
Mary's first baby, and then again it
1t was all for "our own folks."-
The years went on as years do, and
while every new requisition upon
Mrs. Montague was freely granted,
and In her heart she felt IL a privi-
lege to give, still the ungracious
words fell from her lips, I" / suppose
you must have 1t, as you are our own
folks"
Grandchildren and great-grand-
children sat at the Montague board,
and reverently and heartily Mr..
an old man now, thanked
the All-Father for the blessing of
long life and and prosperity and the
many olive plants about the table,
Mrs. Montague, though past the
three score years and ten that David
enjoyed life, still remained mistress
In her own home and dispensed the
sweet charities of life.
Often and again she sent a poor
neighbor into her pantry and bade
her help herself and take a share
to the children and many a child
with grown-up pleasure
the apple he was sure to be welcomed
to on Mrs. MOntague's back porch.
Her early habits of industry, ac-
quired when it was necessary to
economize, were still one feature of
her daily life ; and though later gen.
erations might smile at her thrift,
not unfrequently were they glad to
avail themselves of the results of
her industry and economy.
But all at once the springs Of life
seemed dry, and, as her husband
truly said, Wife seems to have
lost her grip upon life." The old
family physician was summoned.
" Really" said he, "yOu seem like
a clock just about to run down."
Eyes," feebly responded Mrs.
Montague; "and ! didn't send for
you to wind up the old clock my
life Is about over. I've had a long
and busy life =; but now ] am going
to die, and never thought anything
about dying before. 1 sent for you
not to doctor me, but to tell me
about dying"
"Oh," mentally exclaimed the old
physician, "nO sooner had / come
to years Of discretion, than / thought
about dying and settled the matter
to my satisfaction" II was such a
surprise to the doctor that any one
could live to old age and never think
about dying, in this dying world,
that at frat he made no response.
But Mrs. Montague did not notice tor
she was busy with her own thoughts,
new thoughts to her, thoughts about
dying.
The doctor also asked himself be-
fore speaking, "Why did she not
send for the minister? ?" But, at
last, after some preliminary observa-