Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-11-25

nave glass or beer. Beer always sets
me up when feel faint. Or p'raps you
might put just drop of gin or spirits
in the tea!'
Mrs. Merrydrew grew sick at heart
she leaned up against the wall and
closed her eyes.
rs this my only sons wife," she ask
ed herself This coarse, untidy, half
educated creature? Oh, what have |
done to be punished like this? Sans
wife. In all the pictures Of her that |
painted to myself there was never one
like this. No. never.
And the picture of her boys blighted
life, her own desolate future, rose dark
~ up before her minds eye with sick
ening distinctness.
II can't be resigned to this" she Ut
tered aloud.
Sans wife eyed her with lazy indlf
ference, mingled with rising dislike
and prejudice.
"Humphw said she, II don't see how
you're going to help yourself, mother
in-law. What's done can't be undone.
Sans sick of his bargain, and you're
sick of yOurn, but amt tired Of mine"
with a sinister chuckle. 1T may be
dull and stupid here, but It's peg
higher up than waiting in fifteen
cent restaurant, anyhow"
"Where's SamT' Mrs. Merrydew ask
ed abruptly.
"Ain't he here?' said the young wife,
opening her china-blue eyes. "Why,
he came yesterday"
"Sam"
eyes. Sam. Sampson Farley ParkiDs,
Esquire.' with an insolence which was
heightened by defiant toss Of the
head, ''if you want the full name and
all particulars, old lady"
"Thcrc's some mistake" said MIS-
c s1.. ii 41tl asit! 4 n ssa 9c
name is not Sampson Farley Parkins,
although l believe there is a young
man of that name living at the grist
mill, four miles up the road. My son is
called Samuel Mcrrydew."
Good gracious"' cried the bride,
starting to her feet in a scrambling,
vague clutch at the shabby bonnet.
"Then I've made mistake and come
to the wrong place! They told me 1t
was red house, back Of four big will
lows
"Yes," said Mrs. Merrydrew, at Is
red house behind four large willow
trees, but there with conscious PRIDE
4 1t,
is not by any means such a place as
this
AT the same moment an open wagon,
well besplashed with liquid mud, clat
tered up to the door, and shrill voice
was heard crying OUT
"Evenin', Mis- Merrydew! Seen any
thing of a young oman in blue gown
and red shawl hereabouts? I've some
how missed my wife at the depot, and
why, there she is now! How on earth
come you here, Louisa Jeannetta? You
might ha' knew I'd a-cOme arter you,
If you could ha' waited spell"
And Mr.. Sampson Farley Parkins, a
long-lmbed Yankee, In blue checked
shirt and suit of pepper-and salt
cloth. helped his wife into the vacant
seat of the muddy wagon and ratified
away, leaving Mrs. Merrydew standing
staring on the door step.
81 am resigned now"' said that ma
self to the crows and the crlckets.
Good land O liberty, it was just exact
ly like q bad DREAM
But Mrs. Merrydew had hardly re-
turned to the coy sitting room again,
when a second sound of wheels broke
upon the fragrant stiffness Of the Oc-
tober evening, the door was flung open
and cheerful voice exclaimed:
"How dye do, mother, dear? Here's
my wife. Give her kiss, for she is
prepared to love you dearly"
And a sweet, child-like young face,
framed in by smooth bands of shining
hair, was lifted to hers, while a soft
voice whispered:
Dear mother, do try and like me IA
little, for Sans sake"
"My dear" said the old woman, with
tears in her eyes, "do you think you
| can get along In this old-fashoned
place with only me for a companion!'
And Sans wife answered: on,
mother, it is so beautiful and quaint
and quiet here. and during all those
years that l taught in the city l have
| so longed for home-a real home, like
this.'
Kitty Johnson looked in the next
morning, lust for a minute again, as
she trudged by.
Feel any more resigned, Mrs. Merry
dew?" she asked, in voice of careful
ly attuned sympathy. "Of course, it's
drefful trial, but"
Mrs. Merrydrew smiled broadly.
Resigned" said she. Il never was
so resigned in my life. Lily is gem Of
the purest water. Sam Is the luckiest
fellow in the world, and well, l
couldn't have suited myself better If
I'd looked all creation over for daugh-
ter-in-law. Don't talk to me about res
ignation! Folks don't need to be resign
ed when a golden streak Of good for
| tune comes toSem"
DO tellw said Hetty Johnson. "Well,
I never didv'-New York Ledger.
Co,ro ,,oopio n ro IikQ 0no Iooro5 -, tn