The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-08-01

W - y tA~Sk - " lHr IFV~
TER says that Aunt Mary left word
that | was 10 use IL 10 buy something
! wanted for myself"
Mrs. Todd had handed the type
written letter 10 her husband. His
frown deepened as he bent over it.
To give money 10 a woman was fool
ishness. and that injunction regarding
its use sounded like a reflection up
on him.
Jane sat down near him. Her
aands were clasped in her lap. and
there was an expression of childlike
delight upon he- worn face.
Father, | believe I'll buy me a dia-
mond ring. It's the one thing I've
wanted all my life. ever since Cousin
Helen visited at our house when I
was a girl"
"A diamond ring, Why, Jane Todd.
you're crazy
"No. You remember ! never had
n ring. not ven an engagement me
Then there's my sunrise window. 1
might have that. I've told you so
many times, Amos, that I'd be happy
il / 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 il in the
bank. but il you must spend il. can't
you think Of something useful you
want?"
Il want a 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 l want a 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, a dull
paIlor was perceptible. -You hahn
goin' TO waste 5000. good money, in NJ
: such tom-fool ways. / won't low
it,"
Mrs. Todd. too, had risen. Th'
weight of weary years seemed 10 fal
from her; she drew her tall. angular
form proudly erect. Her brown eye
looked straight into those of he
l--I - sha M pfS - 10 xxayfrat
and fell.
! .The money Is mine. / shall us
il as Aunt Mary wished-to buy some
! thing ! want for myself
Weeks went by. Mrs. Todd's de
! termination never weakened III
trouble was to decide what sh
wanted.
! Alice proved her mothers stroni
! ally. Since his daughters marriag
! Mr.. Todd had come to consider he
as a person of good sense This opir
ion was overthrown; Alice favore
, the diamond ring and the "sunris
window
> This was because the daughte
realized. as no one else did, the eiae
$ woman's hunger for the Joy an
beaufy Of life. Since her girlhoo
Jane Todd had striven 10 repress til
cravings of her nature. yet they ha
emerged from their long repression
full-grown.
r Mrs. Todd dreamed and planne'
e n~eglecting her work. Amos foun
meals late and poorly prepared. Mr.
a Todd no longer waited on him br
let him attend 10 his own wants.
2 In the meantime she had visite
a the nearest ieweler and tried one dI;
e mono ring after another on be
crooked and enlarged fingers a
= architect had been consulted and q
estimate of the window obtaine'
Washing machines had been inspec
Ie cd and lawns discussed. Mrs. Toc
had listened tentatively TO Alice
Il suggestions that she buy a quanti'
O. of new clothing and visit her relativ'
IS In the east. Yet no decision had bee
arrived AT.
AZ One glorious October afternoon q
maple trees along the lane we
G. wrapped in golden and crimson glo'
~ when Amos Todd sauntered along u
Iv der them. lie was returning TO q
house after a half day spent in co
e. husking. The farmer was hungr
10 cold from sitting on the dan
re ground. and respondent
IF / could only be goin' home
to one Of mothers good warn suppers
IL coffee and potato stew now! But III
IS. darned legacy's spilled everything
There was no fire and no prepaI
ey ton for supper. Jane was rocki
ne back and forth by the window. ;
is rose and put some bread and m
I'D on the table.
,es Amos sat down and looked rou
.r- the dirty. disorderly room. For I
Ike first time in years he felt tes
a starting to his eyes.
m. II say mother. ] wish yo'
spend that pesky money. Buy wi
You want-rings. windows. or al
.ir. thing. but let's 60 back TO the
be- way Of Twin. I'll start a fire n
we on the kittlc. jamie. il you'll ma
nd a cup Of tea. You like tea best
va Mrs. Todd turned and looked Ike
,ch " at her husband. She said no
NV ing but compiled with his request.
nd The next morning Jane Todd w
when the leaden light of early mo
--s-- 49, IN nj