Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-07-20

was surveying it critically. Dotted mus
lin would have been prettier," she said,
"but the bleached cotton was what moth
er had. And here they come"
They let her rest awhile in the sitting
room before taking her to her room
Wien she entered it her eyes fell on the
carpet.
"Why, Lizzie" she said, ''ain't this my
GARRETT Why''-she was looking around
the room nOW-"Lizzie, these are my
things-that were sold. Where did you
get them?" Her voice was tense and al
most stern.
I bought them back. mother. They
were all in the neighborhood, and every
body was glad to let me have them when
thought you would feel more at home if
you had them-don't you like them,
mother" a little anXiousiy.
Mrs. Bascom had dropped into a chair
and covered her eyes with her hand. She
looked up now with tears streaming
down her cheeks.
Like them?" she said. HWhy. child,
I've just longed for these things. l didn't
know how my heart was bound to them
or l never would have let them 60 I've
tried to make myself feel how childish
it was, and | never told soul how |
sick for my things, Lizzie, I've been so
hOmesick for my thingsp'
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 TESTAMENT"
'Yes'm 1t was in one of those draw
ers when the table was sold, and we
never knew it."
And Sally thought she had burned it
up. She bought me nice Oxford Bible
will loft of
airy Journeys i'll it, but when people get
old they don't seem to care so much about
studying the Bible as about reading it.
And this has so many passages marked
Here's the text Sister AIMS funeral SER
mon was preached from-and fathers
and my little Henry's. Oh, I'm glad to
get this Testament back"
They were sitting around the fire later
Mother" said John, I hope you haven't
forgotten how to knit. I've been think
ing how good a pair of your warm socks
would feel these cold mornings"
Mrs. BascOm turned eagerly to her
daughter: Is there any yarn in the
house, Lizzie?'
Maybe l can find some" said Lizzie.
mendaciously. She had bought some the
day before in anticipation of this. I'll
look tomorrow"
III have you a pair by the last of the
week, son. I've seen the time when |
could turn off my sock in day. but |
reckon I'm a 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 p
Nm. | don't know how"
John" said his mother, briskly. get
me some PruSsian blue tomorrow, and
We'll go right at it." F'ilOselle had been
hard to manage, but she was on familiar
ground now.
bn,,
awhile, and the two were left together.
so you like it, do you, mOther:" said
John, seeing her glance rest lovingly on
the familiar objects.
Mrs. Bascom had laid a trembling hand
in his.
John" she said brokenly. II don't
feel like I 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 to his
mothers 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 Testament lay 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:
Thus far the Lord hath led me on,
Thus far his care prolOngS my days.
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of his grace.
1t was her old twilight hymn.
He closed the door gently and went to
Lizzie.
Yes" she said, when he told her about
it. Mother had one happy day, anyway.
| can see that she is glad to get back to
the old neighborhood."
'Lizzie," said John suddenly, chow did
you happen to have that yarn there?
You don't knit
How did you happen to want yarn
socks%'' she retorted. "You don't wear
them"
Then they both laughed
''What do you suppose mother said
about you last night?" he asked.
What did she say?' said Lizzie Curl
ously
She said, John, you have a good wife
and she's got a heap of feeling"
And what did you say" she asked,
archly, but with trimming eyes.
Il said, She has So" he answered,
empha tically.
And then John Bascom did what he did
not often do except when he came home
from the st. Louis. fair-he kissed his
wife.-Caroline H. Stanley in the indie
rop6oD+