Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-10
MOTHER.

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Widow Thornley, sat alone In her
snug cottage home. Outside the IVY
trailed window. on the slip OF lawn,
browsed the COW. now and then look
ing In with friendly eyes at the cot
tage's single occupant; the chickens
strutted up to the very threshold OF
the open door, standing with heads
wonderingly raised. as though expec'
tant Of the customary "shOo!" which
should warn them that their depreda-
tons were being carried too far, but
Widow Thornley's thoughts were wan
derlng, and the mild blue eyes were
filled with unshed tears.
Crops and harvests had failed In the
past two years, and simple and home
" as was the home, mortgage was
hanging over 1t, which, in three short
months, unless met, would leave her
old age unprotected and homeless.
But the cow moved on to fresh
browsing places, and the chickens
few away, and a look Of gladness
drove the tears from the mothers
eyes, as a firm. manly tread sounded
on the gravel walk outside, and a
young, stalwart form In another min
ute darkened the cottage door.
"Well, little mother said a frank
fresh voice, idle again? All, fear
you have been thinking"
"Too true, John. 1t Is a strange
time Of life, when one wakes 70, to be-
gin to think, but you know dear I'm
not quite used to care" and the gentle
voice trembled as though she would
fain make excuse for her weakness"
"And you are to have no more
mother. can do nothing here, but !
am sure you will be willing to spare
your boy for a little while, that he
may make enough money to free the
old home"
what do you mean, son?'
"Only that am going up to the
great city, mother, to work. You
needn't fear for me, your boy will
never forget the lessons ne mas 'ea'n
60 AZ your KITE but ! am so'ns "
pay of the MOI tgage-not only inter
est, but principal-and then am com
Ing home indeed. shall have earned
my right theh' 10 mother-loV'ns Nho
mother-petting; aye, and as dear a
right to bring a daughter to the home
TO give you Two chilafen lor inc
sparlng one a little whlle.
so II was decided. AGAIN ana again
the motner'heart lalled' put JONI,
would silence her lips with KISSES ana
ieellng his strong young clasp apou'
ner' some OF MS nope ana energy stole
into her old, bowed frame.
But there came a time wnen she sa,
alone by the desolate hearthstone' ahc
need not strive TO check her sops' lol
none were by TO near.
John had carried out MS purpose
ne mad ielt her, ana now that ne wax
not by her 10 cneer ana comfort ner
she wondered at herselt that she nae
let MIN &c.
me OLD eyes grew aim with con
slant weeping; a dull iorepodint
pressed upon her something OF tnl'
nHed when johns hrst letter came
ior IN II was a crisp new pank note
ne wrote
nave lound WORK. mother-and
IS honest work. too-whlch VIII sool
bring IN enough TO give you PACK you
nome, ana ere long your BOY Chee
up iittle motner ! must 40 I'M
worklng-yo9 must 90 the waiting,
tnink yours Is the harder OF the TWO
the letter was padly spelled AM
badly written put on, now preclou
to the old, dim eyes, which knew no
that It contained any lault.
1t rested on her heart oy nlsht an
by day; scarcely an hour passed Q
tne waxing tlme that the tremplin
hands did not ADJUST the silver'rlH
med spectacles on the nose 70 rea