St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-10-20

Or.
Mary added, with . knowing nod, II
don't believe she'll live long"
| Il must go in and see her after dim
ner," Mrs. Winters said, rs she turned
her head to the window with q 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. VIM
ters took down a tablet of writing pa
per, the small round bottle of ink and
the red penholder and wrote the follow
ing letter to Mrs. Annie Mayes:
IF you ever want to see your mother
(, alive. come soon."
Il won't say anything about this let.
ter to Aunt Emily" she said to her hGs-
band, because if Annie don't come it
will be such disappointment to the
poor old woman"
One afternoon a week later Mrs.
| Winters was interrupted in her sewing
| by a knock on the front door. She
opened it and admitted frail looking
little woman with large brown eyes
looking from a very thin face.
rs this Mrs. Winters ?" the stranger
asked. Il 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 60 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 up and walked to the win
dow and looked out.
Aunt Emily turned her face toward
the door as Mrs. Winters The
large brown eyes had look of resigna-
tion, and as they recognized Mrs. Win
ters 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. 1t makes me glad
to know that some one has a good
harvest"
Il came in to see if you were awake
There is lady in the sitting-room
that wants to see you. I'll 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 subsided 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, and how on the NOR
row Annie was to take her mother
home. Then there was silence for
time, broken only by the noise Of the
loose rocker.
so, tomorrow am going home to
see the children again." Aunt Emily
said, and tear drop wet each cheek.
She reached for the corner of the un-
bleached sheet, but the soft handker-
chief of the daughter wiped them away
instead, and the low voice responded:
Yes. mother. / 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 Emily's 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. 'Mother!' she repeated, MS
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 Emiiy'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 a
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 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 yon
cryin' for?" he said. Don't you know
she's goin' home with Annie ?"-The
Housekeeper.