The Van Buren press., 1897-10-09
Well migbt she approve. Itwas the fae-


Well might she approve. 1t was the fae-
simile of Mother Bascom's old room.
On the floor was the rag carpet that
"father took such an interest in
bright as when it was made. 1t had
been on Lzzie's darkened spare room.
In one corner was the old mahogany
bureau, and in the other a walnut bed
stead with high, soft feather=bed and
homemade counterpane. Near the
stove stood an old, old washstand
painted to initiate mahogany, with a
grayish notified top supposed to repre-
sent marble. There was hole in it for
the bowl. Over by the window was d
small cherry table. worn copy of the
Testament and Psalms lay on it.
1t was a chilly afternoon in early No
vember and a cheerful fire cracked in
wis it?-yes, it was really-Mrs. Bas-
CONS old "Eyening Star" Two chairs
were in front of the stove-one, low
split-bottomed rocker painted green,
the other a big brown wooden one. Il
was fathers chair
Lizzie had looped the last curtain and
was surveying it critically. "Dotted
muslin wonld have been prettier," she
said but the b,eaehed cotton was what
mother had. And here they comet"
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 neighborhood, and every
body was glad to let me have them
when they knew what | wanted them
for | thought you would feel more at
home if you had them-don't you like
them, mother?" little anxiously.
Mrs. Bascom had dropped into a
chair and covered her eyes with her
hand. She looked up now with tears
streaming down her cheeks.
Like them?" she said. "Why, child,
I've just longed for these things
didn't know how my heart was bound to
| them, or | never would have let them 90.
I've tried to make myself feel how child
sh it was, and | never told soul how
| felt; but, oh, Lizzie, I've been so home
sick for my things!"
She went from one thing to another
with the delight of child.
"How good that bed will feel this
winterl" she said. And here's my
little stand table, too, and-Lizze, amt
that my TESTAMENT"
"Yes'm. 1t was in one of those
drawers when the table was sold, and
we never knew it
And Sally thought she had burned
it upl She bought me nice Oxford
Bible, with a lot of maps and Paul's
missionary journeys in it; but when
people get old they don't seem to care
so much about studying the Bible as
about reading it. And this has so many
passages marked. Here's the text SIS
ter AIMS funeral sermon was preached
from-and father's-and my little
Henrysl Oh, I'm glad to get this Tes-
lament back"
They were sitting around the fire
later.
Mother said John, 81 hope you
haven't forgotten how to knit. I've |
been thinking how good pair of your
warm socks would feel these cold morn
ings."
Mrs. Baseom turned eagerly to her
daughter. rs there any yarn in the
house, Lizzie?"
Maybe I can find some," said Liz
zie, mendaciously. They had bought
some the day before in anticipation of
this. "Ill look tomorrow"
"I'll have you a pair by the last of the
week, son. I've seen the time when |
could turn off my sock in a day, but I |
reckon I'm 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?"
"No'm. l don't know how"
John" said his mother, briskly, "get
me some Partisan blue tomorrow. and
Wen go 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.
$50 you like it, do you, mother?" said
John, seeing her glance rest lovingly
on the familiar objects
Mrs. Bascom laid trembling hand in
his.
John" she said brokenly, 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 next
Gay 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 hall Of
finished carpet rags. She had been read
ing, and the open Testament lay on her
lap. 4 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 proloHgs 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, mothers had one happy day,
I 80, -,, -. -