Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-01-06

my carpet? Why"-she was looking
around the room now-"Lizzie, these
are my things-that were sold.
Where did you get thsm?" Her voice
was tense and almost stern.
81 bought them back, mother. They
were all in the neighborhOod, and
everybody was glad to let me have
them when they knew what l wanted
them for. l thought that You would
feel more at home if you had them
don't you like them, mother little
anMously.
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 them2" she said why,
child, I have just longed for these
things. didn't know my heart was
bound to them, or never would have
let them 60. I've tried to make my
self feel how childish it was, and l
rever told soul how felt but, oh!
Lizzie, I've been so homssick for my
things"
She went from one thing to another
with the delight of child.
"HOw good that bed will feel this
winter" she said. "And here's my
little stand-table, too, and-Lizzie,
ain that my Testament
"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 Paul's
missionary journeys in 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 sermon 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, Il hope you
haven't forgotten how to knit. I've
been thinking how good pair ofyour
warm socks would feel these cold
mornings
Mrs. Bascom turned eagerly to her
daughter. as there any yarn in the
house, Lizzie"
Maybe I can find some, " said Liz
zie, mendaciously. She had bought
some the day before in an anticipation
Of this. "Ill look tomorrow.
I'll 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 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
yeti"
Nom. don't know how
John" said his mother briskly,
"get me some Prussiau blue TOMORROW,
and well go right at it. Filoselle
had been hard to manage, but she
was on familiar ground now.
Lizzie went about her supper after
a while, and the two were left togeth-
er.
$50 you like it, do you, mother?
said John, seeing her glance rest loy-
ingly on the familiar objects.
Mrs. Bascom laid trembling hand
in his.
John, she Said, brokenly, 81 don't
feel like could ever leave this room.
His hand closed on hers.
"You never shall, he said. "Thi,
is your home from now on.
John Bascom went to town the next
day and did not return until nearly
night. When he came in he went
directly to his mothers room. The
door was ajar. She was sitting in the
twilight rocking gently. Under the
tablewas ball offnished carpet-rsgs.
She had been reading, and the open
Testament lay on her lap. A gray
sock, well down into the leg, had slip
ped 10 the floor.
She did not hear him. She was
singing softly to the tune Of Hebron:
Thus far the Lord has led me on,
Thus far his care prolongs my days.
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial Of his grace
It was her only twilight hymn.
He closed the door gently and went
to Lizzie.
Eyes" she said, when he told her