The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1902-08-29

Ol him.
Jane sat down near him. Her
hands were ciasped IN her lap. and
there was an expression Of childlke
delight upon her worn face.
Father. believe TN bny 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 q girl"
a diamond ring, Why. Jane Todd.
you're crazy"
NO. You remember ! never had
n 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
il l 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 10 spend
money You better leave IT i'm the
bank, but if you must spend it,. 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 uncasily in his chair.
His wife continued speaking. her
eyes wandering out through the open
door 10 where the few flowers she
had planted were parching and dying
in the August sunlight
"And / want a lawn. one where the
grass is kept moved and there are
flower beds and -"
'See here. mother" The farmer
had risen 10 his feet. and. under the
tan and sunburn Of years, dun
pailor was percepiible. You hain't |
goin' to waste 5000. good money. in no /
such tom-fool ways. 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 wavcrcd
and fell
"The money is mine. shall use
II as Aunt Mary wished-to buy some
thing | want for myself"
Weeks went by. Mrs. Todd's de-
termination never weakened. The
trouble was 10 decide what she
wanted.
Alice proved her mothers strong
llly. Since his daughters marriage
Mr.. Todd had come TO consider her
IS person Of good sense. This opin-
on was oyerthrown; Alice favored
he diamond ring and the Sunrise
Window
This was because the daughter
as no one else did the elder
voman's hunger for the Joy and
,eauty Of life. Since her girlhood
ane Todd had striven TO repress the
rawlings of her nature. yet they had ,
merged from their long repression,
ullgrown.
Mrs Todd dreamed and planned,
her work. Amos found ,
ieals late and poorly prepared Mrs
odd no longer waited on him but ,
Il him attend TO his own wants. 4,
In the meantime she had visited
be- nearest icwelcr and tried one dia-
lond ring after another ON her n
rocked and enlarged fingers. An ~
rchitcct had been consulted and an 8
stimate Of the window obtained.
'ashing machines had been inspect !
4 and lawns discussed. Mrs. Todd q
ld listened tentatively to Alice's
lggestions that she buy a quantity
new clothing and visit her relatives
the east. Yet no decision had been of
rived at. ol
One glorious October afternoon the in
aple trees along the lane we're be
raped in golden and crimson glory {.
hen Amos Todd sauntcrcd along I'M ~
r them. lie was returning to the II
'use after half day spent in corn Nh
lskng. The farmer was hungry. I'M
Id from sitting on the damp ri
ound. and despondcnt. fr
IF | could only be goin' home TO IA
o. Of mothers good warm suppcrs- oy
fee and potato stew now. But that
rned legacy's spilled everything"
There was no fire and no prepara- OK
N for supper. Jane was rocking ~
ok and forth by the window. She tn
Sc and put some bread and milk Al
the table
Amos sat down and looked round
, dirty, disorderly room. For the lo'
ST time in years he felt tears wi
rting TO his eyes. yel
Il say mother. / wish you'd '1'
md that pesky money. Buy what p''
D want-rings, windows. or any Fo
ng, but let's 90 back 10 the old
y Of livin'. III start a fire and put =
the httle, jamie. II you'll make ..,
up Of tea. You like tea best" ~
lrs Todd turned and looked keen 'n'
at her husband. She said moth oe
but complied with his request. eye
he next morning Jane Todd woke ev,
en the leaden ligst Of early morn
was beginning 10 creep in at the
small window Of her room. She ,'ia ~,
still. looking at the blank wall NJ az
.osite her and thinking how de-
.tful it would be when she could II
K through her sunrise window and s,r
the gray east burn 10 rose-pink san