The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-06-23

CHE USED to say that she had not
y known a well day since the Christ
mas Eve our old house burned down. l
was a little thing. but l remember
quite well the ~sudGenness of the fire
bursting out against the snowy night.
Jimmy was two weeks old that day. |
can see mother nov as she lay raised on
one elbow, telling father how TO ar
range our stockings. She insisted that
one of Jimmy's tiny socks be hung up.
too. Father had just fastened it, when
a sheet of flame swept up in from of
the window. Mother had to be taken
three miles through the snowstorm. in
an open spring wagon. to my grand
mothers home. which was also the
nearest place of refuge.
There she lay liz many weeks, and
when she became better was so near an
invalid that with one exception she had
never a well day.
Ny childish eyes had seen her tall and
strong and beautiful; but that image
gradually faded from my mind as | be-
came accustomed to Il pale and languid
mother. performing what seemed to
her tie most essential duties with visi-
BILE effort.
She never rode on horseback. or went
Deriving or nutting with us again.
She was always CAD to lie on the
lounge as long as possible. and as we
girls grew older. gladly allowed us to
attend to the housekeeping and sew
ling. At last she did not get up until
very late. and hen only to lie on the
couch by the window. where she would
mend a little. or read. or knit. We were
, only too happy to find her so willing TO
be nursed and petted. | tempted her
appetite with daintieS. and Elizabeth
made her the softest and lovel!est of
dressing-gowns.
We refused to see that her brown
hair became grayer. and her eyes more
sunken. We agreed that all she had
needed was to be- taken care of. and
have no worry. As for father. when
ever he came in from the farm-work
and found mother dressed in a certain
soft. pinkish. ribbon-tied wrapper. YOU
could see from his face that he thought
she was getting well. And one April
day. years ago. she did get well.
l was in the kitchen that morning
preparing her breakfast. | had broken
one new-!aid egg over the pretty. gold
en- round of toast. and had the other
poised above. when the door opened.
The egg slipped from my fingers.
Mother stood smiling at me. She had
put on one of the print dresses of her
buster days. and n big linen apron. She
came up and kissed me out of my be-
wilderment.
81 feel well. Narcissa." she ex-
claimed. Think of it, Well! I am
going to help get breakfast. Don't
You all want some of mothers bis
,cuits?"
In a moment l was no more than any
other little girl of Il. Mother was
there. / put the toast and egg out of
sight and waited on her. She was as
excited as a child at first. but presently
quieted down TO serene enjoyment of
her well day. | kept hugging her. 1t
seemed too wonderful TO be true. We
were in a great glee together over the
surprise we would give the rest of the
family.
/ carried breakfast in. and mother
sat at the head of the table for the first
time in years. 4 look of sweet salts
faction stole over her face as she
glanced down the snowy board. The
cream biscuits were faky balls. deli
brown. No n ever made bis
cults like mother. With a smile. she
touched the bell. Jimmy was the first
to rush in. Mammal" he almost
and then such hugging and
kissing! Il
The next all the rest were
in. Father was too happy to
eat. He took my place and sat by
mother. holding her hand as if he ex-
pected her to melt away. |.