River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-09-20

Mary got the dishes from the cup
board and took them to the long
table at the other side of the ROOM
She wiped off the brown oilcloth be-
fore setting the dishes in their places.
and as she worked, the wrinkles in
her forehead grew deeper. When the
table was nearly ready Mrs Winters
came over and sat down on the end of
a bench that ran along one side of
the table.
"How is Aunt Emily this morning
Mary?" she asked, as she wiped the
perspiration from her face.
'She says she feels the same. But
she was blue and told me she would
soon be in the buryin' ground. She
seems 10 worry right smart because
Annie don't write" After a pause
Mary added, with a knowing nod, Il
don't believe she'll live long"
II must go in and see her after din
ner," Mrs. Winters said, as she turned
her head to the window with sigh.
Her kind face always looked sad as
if it reflected the poverty-stricken
misery around her; even when she
smiled it seemed from pity rather
than Joy.
That evening after supper Mrs. Win
ters took down a tablet of writing pa
per, the small round bottle of ink and
the red penn older and wrote the follow
ing letter 10 Mrs. Annie Mayes:
If you ever want to see your mother
alive, come SOON
II won't say anything about this let
ter to Aunt Emily she said to her hCs-
band, because if Annie don't come it
will be such a disappointment to the
poor old woman"
One afternoon week later Mrs.
Winters was interrupted in her sewing
by knock on the front door. She
opened il and admitted frail looking
little woman with large brown eyes
looking from a very thin face.
rs this Mrs Winters?' the stranger
asked. II am Mrs Mayes"
Mrs. Winters took the visitor into
the sitting-room, assuring her that her
mother was no worse. After her wraps
were laid aside she said:
Il will go TO mother at once"
Il am afraid the sudden surprise of
YOU walking into her room would be
more than she is able to stand,' Mrs
Winters said. Just take this rocker
and will go and tell her first"
After Mrs. Winters left the ROOF the
visitor rocked for minute or two as
the footsteps sounded down the hall,
and then got NJ and walked to the win
dow and looked out
Aunt Emily turned her face toward
the door as Mrs. Winters openedit. The
large brown eyes had look of resigna-
ton, and as they recognized Mrs. Win
tiers the thin lips parted in sad smile.
Good afternoon. Do you feel pretty
well?' Mrs. Winters said, as she sat
down in the rocking chair by the bed.
Yes, and happy, too. like to watch
the men gather in the corn shocks from
the hillside yonder. II makes me glad
to know that some one has a good
harvest"
y came in to see if you were awake.
There is a lady in the sitting-room
that wants to see you. III go and bring
her in
"Oh, maybe it's Annie!" Aunt Emily
exclaimed, and the look of resignation
in her eyes changed to one of joyous
hope.
Ten minutes later mother and daugh-
ter were sobbing in each others arms.
When their emotions had subsidized An
ME drew the Old rocker close to the bed
and sat down, resting her hand on her
mothers. They talked Of the children,
Clinton and home. nd how on the NOR
row Annie was to axe her mother
home. Then there was silence for a
time, broken only by the noise of the
loose rocker.
80, tomorrow ! am going home to
see the children again." Aunt Emily
said, and a tear drop wet each cheek.
She reached for the corner of the I'M
bleached sheet, but the soft handker-
chief of the daughter wiped them away
instead, and the low voice responded
Yes, mother, l am going to take you
home in the morning. Clinton and see
things differently now
Mrs. Mayes went early to her moth
er'sroom the next morning. She opened
the door and walked toward the bed
to awaken her. Aunt Emilys face was
turned toward the window Her hands
were folded on top of the comfort, the
able one above as usual.
"Mother." Mrs. Mayes called, as she
reached the bed, but the sleeper did not
awaken. "Aiother." she repeated, as
she laid her hand on the folded ones,
then started back, gave low scream
and sank into the old rocker. Her
mother was dead.
Aunt Emily's face wore happy
smile as she lay ready to be taken home.
Her hands were folded over the black
burial robe, as they used to be on the
faded calico comfort, and clasped n
bunch of autumn leaves that foolish
Ben" had brought from the woods.
When she was carried from the house
all the inmates gathered at the front
gate for a last glimpse of one who had
been with them seven years. They
watched the hearse and carriage wind
slowly down the hill, and waited for
the last CLINT of sunshine on the orna-
ments of the hearse as it disappeared
behind the poplar grove, before turn
ing their tear-stained faces to the
house.
Only foolish Ben" spoke. What you
cryin' for?" he said Don't you know
she's goin home with Annie ?"-The
Housekeeper.