The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1902-07-26


"Here Is a check for II. The let
ter says that Aunt Mary left word
that was to use it to buy something
I wanted for myself"
Mrs. Todd had handed tho type
written letter to her husband. His
frown deepened as he bent over IL.
To give money to 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, believe I'll buy me dia-
mond ring. It's the ono thing I've
wanted all my life, ever since Cousin
Helen visited at our house when
was a girl"
"a diamond ring! Why, Jane Todd,
you're crazyl"
"No. You remember I never had
a ring, not even an engagement one.
Then there's my sunrise window. I
might have that. I've told you so
many times, Amos, that I'd be happy
II I could have an east window in
our bedroom, SO could see the sun
rise"
Amos Todd was puzzled. What did
such talk mean?
| "Oh pshaw, mother!" he exclaimed.
"A woman never knows how TO spend
money. You better leave 1t in the
bank, but If you must spend it. can't
you think of something useful you
want?"
"I 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.
"And 1 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 $500, good money, in no
such tom-fool ways. I won't low
it,"
Mrs. Todd, too, had risen. The
weight of weary years seemed TO fall
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.
"The money Is mine. I shall use
IL as Aunt Mary wished-to buy some
thing 1 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 hel
as q person Of good sense. This opin
ion was overthrown; Alice favored
the diamond ring and the "sunris'
window"
This was because the daughter
realized, as no one else did, the eldel
woman's hunger for the Joy ant
beauty Of life. Since her girlhoo'
Jane Todd had striven to repress thu
cravings of her nature, yet they hat
emerged from their long repression
, full-grown.
Mrs. Todd dreamed and planned
, neglecting her work. Amos foun'
meals late and poorly prepared. Mrs
Todd no longer waited on him blu
let him attend to his own wants.
In the meantime she had visite'
the nearest jeweler and tried one dis
; mond ring after another on he
crooked and enlarged fingers. Al
. architect had been consulted and a
= estimate of the window obtained
Washing machines had been inspect
e ed and lawns discussed. Mrs. Tod
;. had listened tentatively to Alice
t suggestions that she buy quantit
: Of new clothing and visit her relative
8 in the east. Yet no decision had bee
arrived at.
t One glorious October afternoon tn
maple trees along the lane wer
= wrapped in golden and crimson glor
2 when Amos Todd sauntered along III
v der them. He was returning to tn
house after half day spent in cor
: husking. The farmer was hungr.
o cold from sitting on the dam
e ground, and respondent.
IF / could only be goin' home I
o one Of mothers good warm suppers-
Il coffee and potato stew now! But tha
3. darned legacy's spilled everything"
There was no fire and no prepari
v ton for supper. Jane was rockin
10 back and forth by the window. Sh
Is rose and put some bread and mil
d on the table.
IS Amos sat down and looked rour
r the dirty, disorderly room. For tt
,e first time in years he felt teal
a starting to his eyes.
n, IL say mother, wish you
I spend that pesky money. Buy WIFI
you want-rings, windows, or an
r, thing, but let's 60 back to the o
E. way of livin'. I'll start fire and p'
70 on the kittle, jamie. IL you'n NAL
Id a cup of tea. You like tea best"
n Mrs. Todd turned and looked kee
II ly at her husband. She said not
" ing but compiled with his request.