The Republican journal., 1901-11-14
FOR TOMS SAKE.

OutSIOC, CHC apple tICCo WOlC UIoCA
and silver in the moonlight, and the
daffodils that bordered the path shone
family golden. Inside, the two old wo-
men rocked and knitted. 1t had been
so long since either bad spoken that the
last words seemed like dim memories
of some far-distant past. When
Martha Whipple brought her chair to a
sudden stop the movement had some
thing startling in it; she leaned forward
impressively, her round ford face set
Ting into heavy lines of determination.
Its borne in on me to say something
to you, Mary" she began; ''Ive set out
to do it more'n once, an then I've back
ed out. It's jest what everybody's say
in. | hope you won't lay it up against
me if | tell you what's for your own
good. It's four years now since Tom
Went away, an three since he was mar
ried, an he amt never come home,
though he knows how you're a-lookin'
for him. l guess there amt been a
night since be was married that you
amt lit up the best room an opened
the front door as if you thought he an
that city wife of his might come walk
in up the path any minute. Sometimes
I've got fairly ragin' over it. All this
time you've been a-watchin' an await
in, an you've never set eyes on him nor
his wife nor baby. Now tell you what
you to let it all go. faint right for a
perfessor to wear herself out So
She stopped short, staring at her
friend. The little old woman had risen
to her feet, trembling with excitement.
"We've been ne1ghbors thirty years,
Martha Whipple,' she said, ''but if you
say another word I'll never forgive you
as long as you live. l guess you'd
better go,-I guess 'twould be safer so,
and. besides, I've got considerable to do
tonight. l didn't tell you before, but
I'm going to Toms tomorrow"
Miss Martha had risen with tragic
Indignation, but the news was too much
for her. She turned back in undiSguiS-
ed amaZement.
For the lands sake, why didn't you
say so?" she exclaimed. Cant l help
you get ready? How long do you calcu-
late to stay"
Il calculated I'd be gone about a
week Being the spring of the year
can't stay longer. for there's the garden
to see to- | amt got much to do to get
ready If you'd feed the cat once a
day-'t wouldn't do no good to bring
him over, he wouldn't stay,-but I'll
leave saucer on the back porch, an
you can put his milk there"
q will, certain" answered Miss
DN1artha. She had quite forgotten her
resentment in the keen relish of the
news: the sewing circle would meet
the next day. She looked back when
she reached the doorway.
''Good-night,'' she answered. Her
voice had a curious, half-frightened
tone in it, and her eyes were full of dis
may She hurried into the house and
shut the door; then she looked around
her, and the look was that of an exile
about to leave home forever
81 dunno what made me say it" she
cried, Il said it before [ thought, an
now I've got to go. An | don't know
how can, either, with things all start
ing to blooms pretty. An Tom might
come, too-supposin' we should pass
each other, an he come while I'm gone.
But I've got to go. Folks shan't say
any such things about Tomas if Tom
wouldn't be glad to see his mother"
When morning came she made her
self a cup of tea before going carefully
over the house for the last time; then
she dragged her valise out on the door
step and locked the front door behind
her
When the stage came she walked
steadily down the path between the
datfodils; she looked straight ahead, but
her old face was working pitifully, and
the yellow blossoms seemed to dance
like fliekering lights before her eyes.
The day was close and sultry,-an I'M
al fn al
woman sat bolt upright besides her
AS they left the fresh air of the hills
the heat BECAME worse; she grew faint,
and a terrible fear began to sweep over
her that she would never reach the city,
AS they neared the city the train be
gan to be crowded. Presently a lady
stopped beside her and asked if the
seat was engaged. She did not under
stand the phrase, but obeying a sudden
instinct for companionship she moved
her valiSe.
''You can set here if you want to,"
she said. THE cars real full now"
The lady thanked her and took the
seat. She was evidently used to travel
ing: the old woman looked at her visit
fully: presently she leaned over and
touched her,
''Is-is Boston very big?" she asked
timidly.
The lady glanced at her companion
with quick smile that changed as she
saw the worried old face.
at is pretty big" she replied gently.
Are you going there?'
The old woman smiled up at her
eagerly. YES" she said, 81 thought
I'd go. You see my boy, Tonne mar
ried, and / haven't seen him for four
years. l amt even seen the baby; they
kept telling me to come, an last night |
made up my mind to, an up an start
ed. hope it won't be hard to find the
placer"
won't Tom be at the depot to meet
your" asked the lady Indignantly.
The old woman looked up with quick
suspicion. ''Of course he would if he'd
"a known" she answered eagerly. tom
was allus the best boy! But | couldn't
seem to make up my mind till last night,
an then | thought I'd surprise them.
| picked a bunch of daffodils for him,
he used to notice daffodils when he
was jest little fellow,-but they re
real Withered now
The stranger tried to cheer her. ''Your
flowers will freshen in water" she said,
|and Tom will feel like boy again
when he sees them. Suppose you tell
me the address, and then can put you
on the RIGHT cars