Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-12-21
SOLDIERS.

two children. No wonder Will is getting
gray; 1t must be strain on him to pro-
vide for such a household. wonder il
Hannah remembered to put frilled pillow
cases on her bed. shall be annoyed IL
she has forgotten, for 1t is just one of
the Things Emily would notice. She has
all her sheets hemstitched.
The children are beauties! Eric is the
picture of his father at the same age, and
what spirit! Cecil takes after his moth.
ers family. l love them dearly, but it's
good thing children come while one f.
young-I couldn't stand the racket for
long nowadays. Ernest looks thin. He
doesn't get on, poor boy. 1t would have
been wiser If we had given him his own
way and let him go abroad. but we did it
for the best. Father says we cannot do
more than act upon the light of the mo-
ment, and that it is useless grievins over
what Is irretrievable, but | can't help
griev.ng. Amy has had hard time! No
one would think. to look at her now, what
pretty girl she was when they were
married. She has no nurse girl for baby,
and that Is the same dress she wore last
year. with new trimmings to freshen 1t up.
We must give them check with their
Christmas present, but not before the 9th.
ers- they would not like that-just quietl,
when we are alone.
Minette and Charlie came last, though
they live nearest of all. She planned that,
the little rogue! know her tricks. She
was not going to arrive in the character of
bride without making sure of her audi
ence: and how pretty she was-a perfect
picture in those lovely furs. Father says
she is exactly what l was as girl, but
my hair was never so golden. And Char
lie adores her. ought to be thankful for
that marriage. Her house Is prettier thar
any of the others. but don't know how
she will manage. She uses the best
things every day. and never draws the
blinds for the sun. When I say anything
she pulls my cap on one side and asks IL
| remcmber Aunt Christmas soft blanket.
They all laugh at me about that, but |
can't see the joke. 1t was far too grand
for our room, and the red and green
stripes made the furniture look shabby, so
put it aside for one of the children, and
now none of them will have 1t. 1t can't
be soiled, for 1t is wrapped up in the same
paper In which 1t arrived ten years ago,
and it's beautiful thing-there must be
pounds of wool in It, not to mention the
silk.
Charlie sits next to Emily. l wonder
what she will wear! I wonder which cap
| should put on! The one with the pearl
drops Is the most becoming, but the lace Is
not real. I'll wear the new one, and let
her see that my Brussels is as good as
hers. think I'll give Amy the old Honi-
ton. She has brought presents for every
one. the kind little thing, though she Is so
shabby herself. She showed me Nell's
tonight. Pink silk covers for cushions!
She is going to sew them on in the morn
ing. and they will be on the couch as a
surprise for Nell when she Is carried down
to dinner. The pink will make her look
less pale. My precious lambl A week
ago | thought she would not be able to
come down, but she has stayed in bed and
taken every care. She knew 1t would
spoil our Christmas If she were not among
us. All! what was saying? Last year
she walked down; this year she must be
carried-next year, perhaps My babyl
The last of them all! | can't face it,
can't let her goi have nursed her night
and day for nineteen years, I should have
nothing to do if Nellie were not here. And
yet to see her grow more and more help
less: to suffer worse pain. She would be
we'll and strong, and she has had nothing
but suffering here-never any enjoyment
like other girls. There are worse troubles
than death-much worse. If | could think
of Robbie in heaven! All! my boy, where
are you tonight? What are you doing?
Have you forgotten me, Robbie, alto
gether? Twelve o'clock strikingi Father
in heaven, Thy Sons birthday! Hear a
mothers prayer. My children! Remem-
Der my childrehl