The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-05
: mother said, deprecat-

I think I wouldn't do that sort of work
mere she said. The fuzz gets in the car
/ know
You ought to have seen mothers face
cHdnse-eVery bit of interest faded out of
IL felt so provoked at Sally. She put the
rags away. and said I won't do it If you
think Ia better not daughter. hadn't
anything else to do
Gay and got tablecover. and some rope
SILKS and floselle, and I don't know what
an al, ana gave them to mother. and told her
sEe thought she would find that much nicer
IMAM sewing ragsi And so poor mother.
whose hands are trained to knitting and
earning, and mending, is laboring now with
filoselle, and yearning for carpet rags!
And John Bascom's heart was yearning
Tor his mother.
Lizzie" he said, with a mans helpless
ness, what can we do?"
I've I've thought it all out. John"
8 yohn Enlightened. He had great con-
ftdence in his wife's resources.
Wen write and ask mother to come and
spend the winter with us. / arranged that
before left. And then if 1t is as 1 think,
Wen Just keep her-and Sally can't help
herself. In that way it will all be pleas
feeling"
How easy and natural it seemed!
L go down and get her myself" John
said; Il am going to Jefferson City next
week, anyway"
And SO it was settled.
Striking into siumber his wife, Vide awake
asked; "Jehn. who bought mothers old
'Why-y, Mr.. Sam Driscoll. I think. I'm
not sure. The book would show"
Why, the account book that the sales
were put down in"
"Oh, of course! Where is it?'
-, IN the lower part of the bookcase, with
"Oh, nothing. Go on to Sleep"
a week later John Bascom started for
81, Louis. He was to be gone four days.
They had decided to give up the bedroom
downstairs, and she was fixing it up"
old people don't like to sleep upstairs"
During the week she had made sundry
Trips IN her buggy, and after Mr.. BaScom
wagon and the hired man. When she re-
turned Ole would have thought she was
gong to start secondhand furniture
The afternoon of the fourth day drew to
close. Lizzie was putting the finishing
touches to the room.
IL be here in minute" she said.
II just have time to loop these curtains,
and then it will be all DONE" and she
looked around approvingly. Well might she
approve. 1t was the facsimile 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 Liz
zie's darkened spare room.
In one corner was the old mahogany bu-
reau and in the other a walnut bedstead
with high, soft feather bed and home
made Counterpart. Near the stove stood
an old. old washstand, painted to initiate
posed TO represent marble. There was
hole in it for the bowl. Over by the window
the Testament and Psalms lay on it.
1t was chilly afternoon in early Novem-
Der. and cheerful fire crackeled in-was
1t?-yes. It was. really-Mrs. Bascom's old
Evening Star Two chairs were in front
OF the stove-one a low split-bottomed rock
er, painted green. the other a big brown
one Z ia haT'c nhoir
Lizzie had Topped the last curtain and
was surveying it critically. Dotted muslin
would have been prettier," she said, but
the bleached cotton was what mother had.
And here they come
They let her rest awhile in the sitting
room before taking her to her room. When
she entered it her eyes fell on the carpet.
Why, Lizzie she said ''ain't this my
carpet? Why'-she was looking around the
room now-SLizzie, 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 everybody was
glad to let me nave them when they knew
what I wanted them for, | thought you
don't you like them, mother" little anxi-
ously.
and covered her eyes with her hand. She
looked up now with tears streaming down
her cheeks.
just longed for these things didn't know
how my heart was bound to them or |
never would have let. them go. I've tried
to make myself feel how childish it was,
and I never told a soul how felt, but oh,
Lizzie, I've been so homesick for my
things
She went from one thing to another with
the delight of a child.
How good that bed will feel this win
ter" she said. And here's my little stand
table, too. and-Lizzie, amt that my Tes-
tament?"
.'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 up.
She bought me a nice Oxford Bible, with
lot of maps and Pauls missionary Journeys
in it, but when people get old they don't
seem to care so much about studying the
many passages marked. Here's the text
Sister AIMS funeral sermon was preached
fTomrand father rs +s my 5ee eFy
They were sitting around the fire later.
Mother said John, I hope you haven't
how good a pair Of your warm socks would
feel these cold mornings"
Mrs. Bascom turned eagerly to her
daughter. us there any yarn in the house,
ssMavbe I can find some" said Lizzie.
mendaciously. She had bought some the
day before in anticipation of this. III look
tomorrow"
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?"
Nm I don't know how"
John" said his mother, briskly. get me
some Prussian blue tomorrow and We'll
go right at it," Fioselle had been nard to
marage, but she was on familiar ground
Lizzie went about her supper after
while and the two were left together.
80 you like it, do you, mother?" said
John, seeing her glance rest lovingly on the
Mrs. Bascom had laid trembling hand in
John" she said brokeny. 81 don't feel
like / ever could 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 day
and did not return till nearly night When
he came he went directly 10 his mother
room. The door was ajar. She was sitting
in the twilight rocking gently. Under the
table was a ball of finished carpet rags.
She had been reading, and the open Testa-
ment Law on her lap. A gray SOCK, Well
INTO the leg had slipped to the floor.
She did not hear him. She was singing
softly to the tune of Hebron
."rhus far the Lord hath led me on
Thus far his care prolongs my Gays,
And every evening shall make KNOWN
Some fresh memorial of his grace.
IF was her old twilight hymn.
He closed the coor gently ana went 10
LIZ .sy YES she said when he told her about it.
Mother had one happy day, anyway. l