Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-04-27

see me in my old gown an bonnet, SEEM
as l had 'em when he was here last,
though that's MORN ten years ago. He
always said they was so becomin. You
can get big barg' ins in New York, SO I've
heard, so l guess I'll wait till | get there,
an perhaps | can get a piece o goods
cheap"
"Good-bye. then. an good luck ter
yer" and Mrs. Andrews FASTENED to
Mrs. Bailey with the exciting news, and
told her the story in great detail.
- don't belief half she said about her
John. Why, he warn't half as smart as
my Sam, an was always down first at
every spellin' match. Hired girls. plan
ner. an bathroom, indeedn' and Mrs.
Andrews shifted contemptuously.
An the quilt she's goin' to give that
stuck-up. Gifted Ethel. Tain't nothin'
wonderful. an her eyesight's so poor,
that if you looked real close, you can see
some O. the stitches in it. | rather guess
she'll find out what's what when she
gets to New York"
In the meantime, Mrs. Warner went
cheerfully about her house preparatory to
her departure. She carried her cat over
to Mrs. Miller to be cared for while she
was gone, and then hustled about until
bedtime. She did not sleep much, how
ever for fear she should miss her train.
At ; O'Clock she was up, ate 4 haSty
breakfast, then donned her old-fashioned
gown, shawl and bonnet. and with an an
cient handbag, containing, among other
things, the precious quilt and socks, and
with her umbrella and a box of lunch,
she set forth.
The thin little figure in its artiuuated
garments. the pleasant old face with its
eager, happy expression, interested her
fellow passengers, and they enjoyed do
ing her fayOrs, and listening to her con-
yersatlon. She was happy as child.
and enjoyed the journey immensely;
even when there was delay of three or
Iour hours owing to an accident, she
maintained her good spirits.
A tai. prosperous-looking gentleman
opened a conversation with her, and she
soon told him of her plans.
w nat Is your sons name?' inquired
he with Il smile.
He was named after his father. as
good man rs ever lived--John Philip
Warner"
What. is John Warner your son? He's
a good friend of mine. and I'll see you
safe to his house. l have often heard him
say that all he is, Or hoped to be, was due
to his mother
Dear john exclaimed the old lady,
while tears sparkled in her eyes. ''he al
ways was a-tellin' me how good l was;
he's such fatterer," and Mrs. Warner
looked as though she enjoyed being fiat
tered.
When the train arrived in New York
i was past o'clock in the evening, and
Mrs. Warner. who had never been more
than fifty miles from home, was COM
pletely dazed. Her new-found friend soon
had her in Il cab. and after a brisk drive
the vehicle halted in front of an elegant
brick building. When her companion had
helped her out he said:
This is your sons house. go right in
ana bidding her good night, he hurried
away.
The fine house made Mrs. Warner wink.
and she stood on the sidewalk a moment
gathering her senses, and gazing at the
windows which were ablaze with light.
She felt little shy. but the prospect of
seeing her boy impelled her to mount the
steps (she did it on tip1toe) and ring:
n stern, pOmpOuS-lOOking individual
opened the door and stared in amaze
ment at the queer figure before him. The
little woman quaked, but finally stam
mered out: rs John in?''
''Who?''
'John-I mean Mr. family,
as the lOrdly butler looked puzzled.
Mr.. Warner is in, but You can't see
him. Guess your business can wait"
and he gave 4 sarcastic grin.
The tears came to the weary womans
eyes. please tell John-Mr. Warner
his mother wants ter see him. I'm come
ter visit him." she added meekly.
ing now, and you just clear out quick"
The face that Il few moments before
had been glowing with pride and joyful
anticipation. now looked pale and old.
Without another word, she dragged her
weary limbs down the steps, and strug-
gled along the street. she knew not
whittier. the tears SO binding her eyes
she could hardly see. The bag contain
ing her gifts seemed as lead. Her whole
figure told of grief, and she was con-
scious only of an overwhelming sense of
disappointment and sorrow Finally,
after stumbling along for about half an
hour, she encountered friendly police
man. The pathetic, dropping form of the
old lady stirred his Irish heart, and he
brought her to the home of country
woman who lived on his beat. There she
was given room, but the strange sur
and she was insensible to everything. AS
in a dream she took off her bonnet and
shawl, dropped into a chair, and gave
way to a flood of tears. All night she
sat there, but toward morning she sank
into a short, uneasy slumber from sheer
WEAKNESS. After She had eaten a light
breakfast, the hostess sent her son to
guide the guest to the station, and put
her on the first train for home, for moth
ing could persuade the broken-hearted
woman to stay.
Late that afternoon, as Mrs. Andrews
SAT- IN ner sitting room SOSSlplng with
Mrs. Bailey, she happened to glance out
of the window. She gave one startled
look at the figure which trudged past
then her hands went up, and she slowly
CALCULATED:
Gracious Peter. Did you ever. If
here amt Mandy Warner come back from
New York, bag and baggage! Looks as
though she hain't had a good time Of it,
either! Guess her John, that she's always
BLOWN about an that stuck-up wife O.
his'n, warn't so glad ter see her as she
reckoned on. Serves her right! Pride
comes before fall an SO I've always
said"
When her visitor had gone. Mrs An
dreWs lost no time in Fastening to Mrs
Warmers. When she saw the gossip COM
ing. Mrs. Warner set her lips hard
Strengthened out her features and said to
herself:
Now Mandy Warner. don't you dare
give a thing away, or it'll be all over the
village. You jest hold your tongue, an
don't give her any satisfaction"
How you look, Mis- Warner!" was
Mrs. Andrews salutation, what brought
you back so quick? Be you sick?''
well I don't feel very smart Mis-