Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1897-09-02
u = IN rs ~ atR43@64e@
/ L i / I. COMING HOME.
z ny MHRY i. DMNIsoN.s q
TIToW old Is Linda, Mrs. shippins?, q
ny M.HFllRY Hs pMNIso

.
ssTIOW old is Linda, Mrs. shippins q.
Linda? Let me- see. Why, she
was born when I was 20, an I'm GO. OF
course Linda must be AZ. Good gra-
cious! it can't be possible; but it is. I'm
an old, Old woman III wasn' trspry
at 4O.''' 7, ,ss5s s 81
The person addressed sat near the
fireplace, knitting. Her gray hair, very
abundant yet, was pulled together and
turned in a thick knot at the back OF
hcr head. She had q 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. 5.
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 i Mrs. Shippins'
strength had given out. ...55.
sE"Weu, 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 a 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 ssence 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. Ideclare, / 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, Oh assomber express
SIGN. t{%i5 = *s'
Yes; there's the two youngest, Fred
dy and Myrtle. She'll bring EN- 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 fsaucy into the bargain. I'm
so used to quiet; an to. have them chill
dren rompin' and sracin' in and out:
But they're Linda's children, an she's
willin to help me out, an dare say we'll
gi, along somehow" she finished, with
a doleful sigh. IN .s4.'@
You don't seem very happy over the
thought of their coming on" said Nan
cy. Holland.
Il "Oh,i yes, am, dretful happy, only
I'm so bowed down with the thought
D. Of all her ssufferin's for the last ten
year. I'm sure she'll be all broke UP
an miserable, though she ain 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
II sh'd think you'd want: to make
everything more cheerful for her. said
the other, pulling hard at lace kerr
chief. I'm feared I put too much
starch in this. Would you rense it
out?" @
mo, I like it stiff, 2 said Mrs. Ship
pins. "Ef Linda's like me, 1 never
wanted the sun to shine when was in
trouble, an as TO colors, an flowers, an
! birds, I jist shet myself out of their
sight. They sort O. mock one with
their happiness. Well, guess I'll go
an make that strawberry shortcake
They'll be here by five, Linda an the
little ones, an do wish, Nancy Hol-
land, you'd stay to tea an help me to
bear my burden" @....sjss
why, of course, will" said Nancy
Holland. I'm awful fond of straw
berry shortcake, and I'm jest dyin' to
see your folks, and" (she hesitated
emoment) "sympathize with 'em.''
So it was arranged. The shortcake
was made in the largest pan the house
afforded, and was marvel of beauty as
it stood smoking upon the sideboard.
The table was set with old-fashioned
dishes and cut glass that had been in,
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 large
handkerchief to wipe away the tears
which she intended to shed as part OF
the welcome home. 81 q.
When the door was thrown open. and
a youthful-looking, matron came in,
with handsome boy on one side and a
pretty girl on the other, Mrs. Shippins
just sat and stared. s3
Why, you amt Linda" she said
I'm. sure you cant be Linda!'' But
her face was caught in two firm hands,
and kisses were showered upon her
cheeks, lips and forehead.
.One kiss for every year, mother
said the woman. I ughing joyously. Il
cant make it seem 20 years, though.
since l saw you last. d st9
why, child" and the big kerchief
was deity put aside, you're younger
looking now than when Yoil went