Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-09-02
LIRDH'S COMING HOME.
BY MARY n. DENISoN.
hTTOW old is Linda, Mrs. Shippins?'

hTOW old is Linda, Mrs. Shippins?"
LINDA? Let me see. Why, she
was born when I was 20, an I'm 62. Of
course Linda must be AZ. Good gra-
cious! it can't be possible; but it is. I'm
an old, old woman, an 1 wasn't spry
at 40.'
The person addressed sat near the
fireplace, knitting. Her gray hair, very
abundant yet, was pulled together and
turned in thick knot at the back OF
her head. She had a weary, discouraged
look, as if expectancy and endurance of
trials had set an unalterable seal upon
her face. A thin cap came low on her
hair and her eyes were hollow.
The person who questioned her was
Nancy Holland, a wiry little woman
who went out to days work and had
come to Sparrow cottage to finish the
ironing, over which Mrs. Shippins'
strength had given out.
"Well, I'm sure! and you hain't seen
her for 20 year, did you say?"
II did. It's 20 year since she left the
town with her husband and pair of
twins, the beautifullest boys ever sot
eyes on. They both died when they
We're ten years old, an she's lost two
more sence then, pore creeter. Now
they've lost all the property they had in
the world by the flood. So he's gone to
New Mexico on small salary an she's
comm here. 1 declare, I almost hate to
see her, for she must be bowed down
to the very earth with sorrow"
"Any children left?" asked clipper
Nancy Holland, whose usually bright
face had taken on a somber express
sion.
"Yes; there's the two youngest, Fred
dy and Myrtle. She'll bring 'em on with
her. Much as want to see 'em, I'm so
worried for fear they'll be into every
thing, as children always is, an maybe
<pert and saucy into the bargain. I'm
so used to quiet; an to have them chill
dren rompin' and racin' in and out!
but they're Linda's children, an she's
-willin to help me out, an dare say We'll
git along somehow" she finished, with
"A doleful sigh.
8 You don't seem very happy over the
thought of their coming on" said Nan
cy Holland.
"Oh, yes, am, dretful happy, only
I'm so bowed down with the thought
of all her sufferin's for the last ten
wear. I'm sure she'll be all broke up
an miserable, though she amt never
wrote like it, an I'm just worried to
death to know how to comfort her.
I've fixed up the north bedroom, an
took out some of the brighter things
for fear it would make her feel bad to
see it as it used to be. An I'm prepar-
ing to mourn with them that mourn"
Il sh'd think you'd want to make
everything more cheerful for her." said
the other, pulling hard at lace ker
chief. I'm feared 1 put too much
starch in this. Would you rense il
out?"
''No, I like it stiff" said Mrs. Ship
pins. "Ef Linda's like me, 1 never
wanted the sun to shine when / was il
trouble, an as to colors, an flowers, an
birds, I jist shet myself out of thei,
sight. They sort O. mock one will
their happiness. Well, 1 guess I'll g.
an make that strawberry shortcake
They'll be here by five, Linda an thu
aittle ones, an do wish, Nancy Hol
land, you'd stay to tea an help me II
bear my burden"
"Why, of course, WILL" said Name.
Holland. I'm awful fond of straw
berry shortcake, and I'm jest dyin' t.
see your folks, and" (she hesitated
moment) "sympathize with 'em."
So it was arranged. The shortcak
was made in the largest pan the hous
afforded, and was marvel of beauty a
it stood smoking upon the sideboars
The table was set with old-fashione
dishes and cut glass that had been II
the Shippins family for generations.
BY the time the travellers were expect
ed, the supper, garnished with sub
stantial meats, was ready, and Mrs
Shippins prepared with an extra larg
handkerchief to wipe away the tear
which she intended to shed as part o
the welcome home.
When the door was thrown open, an,
youthful-looking matron came il
with handsome boy on one side and
pretty girl on the other, Mrs. Shippin
Just sat and stared.
"Why, you amt Linda" she seid
Sim sure you can't be Linda!" Bu
her face was caught in two firm hands
and kisses were showered upon he
cheeks, lips and forehead.
"One kiss for every year, mother.
said the woman, laughing joyously. "
can't make it seem 20 years, though
since / saw you last"
"Why, child" and the big kerchie
was deftly put aside, you're younge
looking now than when you wen
away" her mother said.
"Of course am, I'm good dea
yuI. a-er now than when Twas l6. The