The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1902-07-31

mere lS cneck 10f IL. Inc ley
ter says that Aunt Mary left word
that l was to use it to buy something
wanted for myself"
Mrs. Todd had handed the type.
written letter to her husband. His
frown deepened as he bent over it.
To give money to q woman was fool.
ishness, and that injunction regarding
its use sounded like q reflection up.
on him.
Jane sat down near him. Her
hands were clasped in her lap, and
there was an expression of childlike
delight upon her worn face.
Father, I believe I'll buy me dia-
mond ring. It's the one thing I've
wanted oil my life, ever since Cousin
Helen visited at our house when !
was girl" !
"a diamond ring! Why, Jane Todd,
you're crazy!"
''No. You remember never had
ring, not even an engagement one.
Then there's my sunrise window. ]
might have that. I've told you SO
many times, Amos, that I'd be happy
if I could have an east window in
our bedroom, SO I could see the sun
rise"
Amos Todd was puzzled. What did
such talk mean?
ooh pshaw, mother!" he exclaimed.
GA woman never knows how to spend
money. You better leave it in the
bank, but if you must spend it, can't
you think of something useful you
want?"
81 want washing machine, have
wanted you to buy me one for ten
years."
Amos twisted uneasily in his chair.
His wife continued speaking, her
eyes wandering out through the open
door to where the few flowers she
had planted were parching and dying
in the August sunlight.
'sAnd want lawn, one where the
grass is kept moved and there are
flower beds and
"See here, mother" The farmer
had risen to his feet, and, under the
tan and sunburn of years, dull
pallor was perceptible. "You hain't
goin' to waste 5000, good money, in no
such tom-fool ways. I won't low
it,"
Mrs. Todd, too, had risen. The
weight of weary years seemed tofaH
from her; she drew her tall, angular
form proudly erect. Her brown eyes
looked straight into those of her
husband, and the mans gaze wavered
and fell. - &at@s
''The money is mine. I shall use
It as Aunt Mary wished-to buy some
thing I want for myself"
Weeks went by. Mrs. Todd's de-
termination never weakened. The
trouble was to decide what she
wanted.
Alice proved her mothers strong
ally. Since his daughters marriage
Mr.. Todd had come to consider h r
as a person of good sense. This opih-
ion was overthrown; Alice favored
the diamond ring and the Sunrise
window
This was because the daughter
realized, as no one else did, the elder
woman's hunger for the Joy and
beauty of life. Since her girlhood
Jane Todd had striven to repress the
cravings of her nature, yet they had
emerged from their long repression,
full-grown.
Mrs. Todd dreamed and planned,
neglecting her work. Amos found
meals late and poorly prepared. Mrs.
Todd no longer waited on him but
let him attend to his own wants.
In the meantime she had visited
the nearest jeweler and tried one ;dia-
mond ring after another on her
crooked and enlarged fingers. An
architect had been consulted and an
estimate of the window obtained.
Washing machines had been inspect.
ed and lawns discussed. Mrs. Todd
had listened tentatively to Alice's
suggestions that she buy quantity
of new clothing and visit her relatives
in the east. Yet no decision had been
arrived at.
One glorious October afternoon the
maple trees along the lane were
wrapped in golden and crimson glory
when Amos Todd sauntered along un-
der them. He was returning to the
house after half day spent in corn
husking. The farmer was hungry,
cold from sitting on the damp
ground, and Respondent.
IF I could only be goin' home to
one of mothers good warm suppers-
coffee and potato stew now! But that
darned legacy's spilled everything
There was no fire and no prepara-
ton for supper. Jane was rocking
back and forth by the window. She
rose and put some bread and milk
on the table.
Amos sat down and looked round
the dirty, disorderly room. For the
first time in years he felt tears
starting to his eyes.
"II say mother, I wish you'd
spend that peslSy money. Buy what
you want-rings, windows, or any
thing, but let's go back to the old
way of livin'. I'll start fire and put
on the kittle, jamie, if you'll make
cup of tea. You like tea best"
Mrs. Todd turned and looked keen