Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-01-06
MRS. eAscoM's THINGS.

Forty years is long time-long
enough for the rootlets of human
heart to strike deep and take firm hold.
Mrs. Bascom was thinking this as she
walked around the yard for the last
time. She stopped by branching
maple and laid caressing hand upon
it.
I'VE planted this tree that first
spring" she said, softly to herself. at
WASH more than E foot highland We
have grown here together ever since.
All, me it's hard to transplant old
trees.
But there was no help for it. She
knew that. When Colonel Bascom died
it became absolutely necessary to break
up the home. John, the only son,
lived near, but he could not give up
his nice new house to so back to the
old place. Sally, the daughter, lived
in st. Louis. Her husband was a pros
porous merchant, and, Of course, moor
ed. So there was nothing left for Mrs
Bascom but to break up" and live
with her children.
The question of where Sally had
settled in her own decisive fashion.
"Of course mother will live with
me, she said. "The daughter-not
the daughter-in-law- the proper one
to have the care of the parents when
they are old"
Mrs. Bascom shrank little at this
frank ayowal of filial obligation. She
was an active woman of sixty. She
had not thought to need caring for"
for ten years or more.
Her daughter-in-law was sitting next
to her. She took. the withered hand
in hers and stroked it gently.
GAS Sally says, daughter has the
first claim" she said, tenderly; "but
am sure mother knows that we should
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 of doing things
well Just make clean sweep,
mother" she SAID. There's nothing
worth saving, and we'll sell them all. "
Mrs. Bascom was taking things out
of the bureau drawers.
Don't you think I'd better take the
bureau with me, daughter?' she asked,
a little anxiously. Itwas mahogany
chest Of drawers without castors
ooh, my, no, mother | wouldn't
have that numbering old thing around
for anything. l havea handsome an
tique oak dresser in your room and a
chifonier to match. You'll have all
the drawer space you can possibly use. "
Mrs. Bascom was opening and shut
ting the empty drawers aimlessly.
I've had this bureau forty years, "
she said, as if to herself. "We pur-
chased it when we went to house-keep-
ing. suppose it is little old-fash-
toned there was touch OF wound
ed feeling in her voice-"but it was
considered a fine piece Of furniture in
its day. The top drawer was fathers;
and the second drawer wa, the one |
kept my baby clothes in. l can just
see Johns little cambria shirts, trim
med with thread edging, now Sally,
it seems like I would hate to sell this
bureau -
"IlI take it, mother, and keep it
for you, said Lizzie, quietly.
why, Lizzie !" demonstrated her
sister-in-law, you haven't any room
for it.
"Ill make room, said Mrs. John
Bascom, curtly.
The old lady was not much help.
Every article in the house was full Of
tender memories to her; and as she
went from one to another, sitting a
moment in fathers chair, and touch
ing this thing and that, she was clear
ly giving a goodby to them all. Such
a hold inanimate things will get upon
the affections.
"You wouldn't have any use for
this new rag carpet, would you, daugh-
ter?"
"None in the world, mother.
Il didn't know but you might put
it in the back part of the house. l
took heap of pains with this carpet,
and nearly the last thing father did i;
was to bring it home from the wsav-
er's. He took such an interest in it
when ! was making it, father did.
you don't think you'd better put it
down in my room, do you, Sally ?"
"Oh, no, mother; it wouldn't be in
keeping with anything in the room.
l II