, 1897-10-02
IRIS. BASCoI'S THINGS

IN WdfsaA6 Z y. NY yCd40 TX q
long time-long enough for the rootlers
CT a human heart to strike deep and
take fiIm hold. Mrs. Bascom was think
fng this as she walked around the yard
Tor the last time. She stopped by a
branching maple and laid a caressins
hand upon it
I'VE planted this tree that first
srr.ng," she said softly to herself. 1T
wasn't more than a foot hfgh-and we've
grown here together ever since. An.
me. it's hard TO transplant old trees"
knew that. When Col. Bascom died Il
became absolutely necessary TO break
up The home. John, Jhe only son lived
near. but he could not give up mis- nice
new house to go back to the old place.
Sally. the daughter. lived in s.. Louis.
Her husband was a prosperous mer>
chant. and. OF course, moored. SO thtre
was nothing left for Mrs. Bascom but
to ''break up and five with her chill
dren.
The question Of where Sally had SCI,
tied in her " decisive fashion.
20. course mclher viii live with me-
she seid. THE daughter-not the
dauglhter-in-faw-ls the proper one to
have the care OF the parents when they
are DID,"
Mrs. Bascom shrank a little at this
frank avowal OF filial obligation. She
was an active woman OF GO. She had
not thought TO leed earring for" for 10
years or more.
Her dauglhter-in-law was sitting next
30 her. she took the withered hand in
hers and stroked it gently.
"As Sally says. a daughter has the
first CAIN" she said, cenderly: but I
am sure mother knows that we would
be glad to have her," And somehow
Mrs. Bascom felt comforted.
Sally settled the details OF the break
ing up in the same summary manner
1t was her way o: doing things.
Well just make a clean sweep, moih-
Gil SIX Sdhu. luSlcS IfOlHlA6 WOl u
saving, and we'll sell them ALL"
Mrs. Bascom was taking things our
OF the bureau drawers.
Don't you think I'D better take the
bureau with me. daughter" she asked,
q little anxionsly. 1t was a mahogany
chest 0. drawers without casters.
"Oh, my. no.. mother! l wouldn' t have
that numbering thing around for any
thing. I have a handsome antique oak
dresser In your rom. and a chifonier
to match. You'll have all the drawer
space you can possibly use"
Mrs. Bascom was opening and shut.
ting The empry drawers aimlessly.
1--WE had this bureau 40 years." she
saFd. as II to herself. I'VE bought it
when we went to housekeeping. sup
pose it Es a litAe observation-disclosures
was a touch OF wounded feeling in her
voFce-'Fbut 1t was considered a fine
piece o. furniture In its day. The top
drawer was the one I kept my baby
clothes in. l can just see Johns little
inen-camhr.o shirts. trimmed with
thread edgIng. now! Sally. it seems like
I would hate 70 sell this bureau"
I'm lake it. mother, and keep 1t for
you" said Lizzie. quietly.
why, Lizzie" demonstrated her SIS
ter-in-!aw, you haven't any room Tor
it."
"Ill make ROOM" SAID Mira. John Bas-
com a little curuly.
The old lady was not much help. Ev.
cry article in the house was full Of ten,
der memories to her, and as she went
from one to another, Sitting a moment
in fathers chair" and touching this
thing and uhat. she was clearly giving
a good-by to them all. Such a hold in.
animate things will get upon the affec,
rions!
"You wouldn't have any use for this
new rag carpet, would you, daughter"
None in The world, mother"
Il didn't know but you might put 1t
in the back part Of the house. I took a
heap Of pains with this carpet, and near
ly the last ching father did was to bring
IT home from the weaver's. He took
such an interest in 1t when l was max.
ing 1t, father did. You don't think you'd
better put 1t down in my room. do you.
Saly?"
'Oh. no. mother: 1t wouldn't be In
keeping with anything In the room. And
hen I've just put down n new body
Brussels. l don't feel that there Is any.
thing too good for my mother" afec.
tionately.
Mrs. Bascom smiled back bravely but
she looked wistfully at the carpet, after
ell.
And so 1t went.
The things were all sold. and when
Mrs. Bascom started for st. Louis with
her earthly belongings packed in a new
trunk. she was as stripped and desolate
an Old woman as ever swallowed her
tear aud smiled. 1t was as II a GRACE
vine had been prepared for transplant
Ing by carefully shaking the earth from
fts roots and clipping Its tendrils neatly
away.
They did not hear from her often.
Sally had said she would have all tho
time there va now to write letters, but
decentralization pleasWe-had been
crowded out Of her busy country NE.
and when leisure came she was too old