The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-09-23

In one corner was the old mahogany
bureau, and in the other walnut bed
stead with high, soft feather-bed and
homemade counterpart. Near the
stove stood an old, old washstand
painted to initiate mahogany, with a
grayish notified top supposed to repre-
sent marble. There was a hole in it for
the bowl, Over by the window was
small cherry table. a worn copy of the
Testament and Psalms lay on it.
1t was chilly afternoon in early No
vember and 4 cheerful fire crackledin
was it?-yes, it was really-Mrs. Bas-
CONS old Evening Star" Two chairs
were in front of the stove-one, low
split-bottomed rocker, painted green,
the other big brown wooden one Il
was fathers chair"
Lizzie had looped the last curtain and
was surveying it critically Dotted
muslin would have been prettier," she
said, but the b'eached cotton was what
mother had And here they come"
They let her rest awhile in the sit
ting-room before taking her to her
room. When she entered it her eye fell
on the carpet.
why, Lizzie." she said. "ain't this
my carpet? Why"-she was looking
around the room now-"Lizzie! these
are my things-that were sold Where
did you get them?" Her voice was
tense and almost stern.
Il bought them back, mother. They
were all in the ghborhood, and evtry-
body was glad TO let me have them
when they knew what I wanted hem
for | thought you would feel mare at
home if you had them-don't you like
them, MOTHER" little anxiously.
Mrs. Bascom had dropped ino
chair and covered her eyes witt her
hand. She looked up now with iears
streaming down her cheeks.
Like them?" she said "Why. clild,
I've just longed for these things
didn't know how my heart was bould to
them, or never would have let then 90.
I've tried to make myself feel how clild-
ish it was, and l never told a soullow
I felt; but. oh, Lizzie. I've been so hme-
SEX for my things!"
She went from one thing to unohcr
with the delight of child.
How good that bed will feel his
winter" she said. And here's my
little stand table. too, and-Lizzie. ant
that my TESTAMENT"
"Yes'm. 1t was in one of tnse
drawers when the table was sod, ind
we never knew it,"
And Sally thought she had buried
it up! She bought me a nice ONfrd
Bible, with a lot of maps and Pau's
missionary journeys in it; but wrn
people get old they don't seem to care
so much about studying the Bible as
about reading it. And this has so ma1y
passages marked Here's the text Sk-
ter AIMS funeral sermon was preached
from-and father's-and my litth
Henry's! Oh. I'm glad to get this Tes
lament back"
Mother" said John, 81 hope yot
haven't forgotten how TO knit. I've
been thinking how good pair of your
warm socks would feel these cold morn
inss"
Mrs. Bascom turned eagerly to her
daughter rs there any yarn in the
house, Lizzie?"
maybe l can find some" said Liz
ze, mendacious,y. They had bought
some the day before in anticipation of
this. "I'll look tomorrow"
I'll have you a pair by the last of the
week, son. I've seen the time when 1
could turn off my sock in a day. but [
reckon I'm a little out of practice
now"
John, you needn't put mother at
work quite so soon. want her to help
me with my blue stripe first
Haven't you colored that stripe
yet?"
Nom. I don't know how
John, said his mother, briskly, get
me some Partisan blue tomorrow. and
We'll 90 right at it," Filoselle had been
hard to manage, but she was on familiar
ground now.
Lizzie went about her supper after
awhile, and the two were left together.
so you like it, do you, mother?" said
John, seeing her glance rest lovingly
on the familiar objects.
John" she said, brokenIy. 81 don't
feel like l could ever leave this room"
His hand closed on hers.
You never shall" he said. This is
your home from now on"
John Bascom went TO town the beXt
day and did not return till nearly night.
When he came in he went directly to his
mothers room. The door was aiar. She
was sitting in the twilight, rocking
gently. Under the table was a ball of
finished carpet rags. She had been read
ing, and the open Testament lay on ner
lap. A gray sock, well down into the
leg, had slipped to the floor.
She did not hear him. She was sing
ing softly. to the tune of Hebron:
THUS far the Lord has led me on,
Thus far His care prolongs my days,
AND every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of His grace"
1t was her old twilight hymn.
He closed the door gently and went to
Lizzie.
Yes" she said, when he told her
about it, "mother's had one happy day,
anyway. l can see that she is glad to
get back to the old neighborhood."
Lizzie" said John, suddenly, chow