Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-26
44
MAM'S HUNDRED
:: TUNE ORGAN
BY c. w. OGDEN
Copyright, 1902. by T. c. Mcclure

Nam sat on the bottom step OF the
three leading into the house, her ell
bows on her knees and her chin in hei
palms. She had swept the gravel walk
running like lava scorched strip OF
barrenneSs to the front gate. through
the soothing green of the uncut lawn
Her broom leaned on the steps beside
her.
SO the little yellow horse drawing
the weather banded buggy passed IN
der her eyes as 1t made great snow
of hurrying by the house and turned
without guiding rein. into the road
leading near to the kitchen door AT
the well the horse stopped and plunged
its nose greedily into the trough OF
water.
A spnrely made woman climbed from
the buggy and stood the egg basket
with its load of groceries beside the
curb. She looked at Nam wrapped In
the sound proof mantle Of her reverie
and led the horse away.
Presently she returned, slung the
heavy basket on her arm with the in
cense OF coffee and green tea rising
about her. placed her burden upon the
step beside the silent woman and said:
"Well Man,"
ELS Ann. you hone?" queried Nam.
turning her head slowly.
"What're Won thinkin' about Mann
Els Ann asked, untying the strings OF
her broad brimmed hat and swinging
1t at her side.
Her mother was silent.
"You know it's n bad sign In you
when you think, Man," Els Ann said
anxiously. You amt gOin' to git
down with the malarial or flanders.
air your
"D'you git any mail, Els Ann?'
Nam asked evasively.
Els Ann put her hand on Mans
shoulder and looked into her face.
wrinkled and brown as q tobacco leaf.
mo use O. you tryin' TO put me OIL.
Man," she said. What air you think
in about this time, Mann
Nam turned her back to her persist
ent questioner, raised her eyes to the
dim rim Of the horizon again and an
swered with culver of remorsc and
regret in her voice:
"It's organette this time, Els Ann. "
"a organette." gasped Els Ann, with
a spasmodic intake Of breath. Then
she dropped down to the step. The
shadow of the house stretched down
the gravel path and drew the gate
After awhile Nam sat down beside
her. Neither spoke.
So it was an organette this time.
The last time Nam had "thinkin'
spell' it had been induced by the visit
of a portrait agent to whom she gave
ST FOR an enlarged picture of her dead
husband. Seven dollars was heap
for a picture, even life size and OF
ones father, when one knew Dave
Croker. the grocer at Monticello. gave
one Just like it with $40 worth OF
goods.
At length Els Ann arose. Where is
it at, Mam?" she asked.
I'm yander on the table" answered
Nam, with the guilty feeling of pen
itent robber disclosing the hiding place
OF his spoils.
Els Ann went in and sat down at
the table beside the little vanished
box. Nam followed and stood beside
her. Els Ann felt the shining surface
with her calloused, toll toughened
hand, traced the gold trimming around
the top and the gold lettering, or
gazette" and asked:
How much did you give the Teller
for it, Mam?"
Mans face Frightened. "Only leven
dollars" she answered, "an' the feller
he said it plays a hundred tunes.
That's heap moren your cousin Nan
ME can play on her'n with all her
hans an feet, an you jess set down
an turn that little hanle an the
music tlows-that's what the Teller he
said
You paid him 'leven dollars outen
the twelve Twcddle gave me for old
Shows calf?"
Yes, Els Ann, but he said it was
worth ten times the money. He SAID
you'd have to pay SO to git into the
operay an hear only part o. them
tunes played an here you can sit right
in your own parlor an have 'em at any
time. day or night. without extra cost
Whatsoever.
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