Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-12-24
sHEpHERDS7OWN w. VA THURSDAY DECEMBER "a, 1903.

10Sy went luEouku tue udA uS AAoNi
and then entering the house were duly
presented TO Mrs. Mahew, who under
took to pilot them through her domain.
The attics and upper rooms were
carefully inspected. and once more
back upon the first floor, with par
donable feeling Of pride, Mrs. Mahew
threw open the "fOre-roOm" door, with
a murmured apology that it was not
in its usual order.
Very good Very praisworthy'
my dear madam" murmured the Sen
ator from the district who accompa-
MED the party and others echoed hi'
praises. But the Governor was silent,
and looking at him for some sign OF
approval, Mrs Mahew saw that he
wa. staring at the tree, with eyes that
saw nothing else, while his face worked
strangely, and half uncOn'ciou'ly ms
hand stroked the dress of the nearest
doll.
Here's something for the babies,
said the Senator, as he dropped a piece
of silver into Mrs. Mathews hand, aud
others added their mites to the con-
tribution, as they turned to follow Mr.,
Mahew, who just then appeared at the
door.
But the Governor still fingered.
Where did you get this?' he asked
at len. th in a hushed voice as he
pointed to the dolls dress.
"One of the women made 1t from an
old dress of her own, replied Mrs.
Mahew, wondering what It all meant.
Can l see her"
"Why, certainly but she's pretty
bad with rheumatism, and I'm afraid
you'll have to 80 to her.
The Governor nodded, and still
holding the doll in his hand, followed
her through a long corridor to the
general sitting-room, where the ~
mates We're all assembled.
There was a hutter of skirts as he
entered, and each one dropped her
best courtesy but with grave bow,
which included all, he passed them
without a word and made his way to
the farther end Of the room where Mrs.
Barker was seated.
The others pressed little nearer,
but Mrs. Mahew, although herself
burning with curiosity, motIoned them
back as she said: Mrs Barker, his
e1cellency, the Governor, would like
to speak with you" Don't rise, mad
am.
1t was the Governors deep voice
that said this, and the old woman,
who had tried to stand, fell back with
a stilled moan of pain, while she looked
curiously at the bearded face above
her.
81 am told you made this dress. "
The Governors voice was husky
now, and had dropped almost to a
whisper, as he pointed to the gay
howered gown of the doll in his hand.
II did.
May I ask where you obtained the
material2"
MY husband bought it for me a
good many years ago, when | was a
young woman" she said with sigh,
land I've kept it because he liked 1t;
an Sammy-that was my boy
thought SO much Of it.
"And always liked to see his mother
in her pretty flower gown, " cried
the Governor, the tesrs chasing each
other down his cheeks.
"Oh, mother mother, moth err and
now be was on bis knees, with his head
in her lap.
She looked piteously from one 70
another Of the group about her.
What does he mesn?" she asked
"Ssmmy's dead There's no one TO call
me mother"
The Governor lifted his head and
drew her face down 30 that he could
look into her eyes. Mother, don't you
know Sammy he said earnestly.
She shook her head. Sammy dead"
she reiterated.
mo; no, dear" he cried. "It was
all mistake. Uncle Jim was killed,
but l am alive to love and care for
you the rest Of your life. See"-brush-
ing aside bis hsir-"here is the .csr
where ! fell and cut myself when l ran
away from cshool to go skating, and
here'-holdiDg up his watch chain,
"is the little ring you and father gave
me wheb l was Elk years old"
"Oh, my SOD, my sOnI God has indeed
brought you back from the deadl'sDd
now her srms were around bis neck,