West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-01-21

contribution. and she regarded the tree
with compiacent approval.
Christmas morning dawned clear. crisp
and cold. as Christmas morning should.
aud everyone was astir by daybreak.
There was good deal to be done, aud
while the younger women helped about the
house. the older ones. knitting work In
hand. gathered in little groups about the
air iiehtssose In the sitting room. and talk.
ed OF the days when they had homes OF
their own. aud when geese. turkeys aud
chickens were no raritics upon their tai
aud they spoke disdaintuily OF the roasting
spareribs. which would form part OF their
dinner. set II was noticed that they now
and then shifted the air with as much en-.
joyment as the children who were dancing
In and out. pretending to help. ye, manag.
Ing TO get In everyones way.
Early In the morning Mr. Mayhem drove
TO the village ostensibly to get the mail In
reality TO swap stories at the village louug.
ing. place. the store.
He came back al noon, full OF excitement.
The Governor was in town. aud was CON.
ing to inspect the "Farm" that afternoon.
There was some bill relating to paupefs
before the Legislature aud before signing
IL he determined TO see for himself how
they were treated.
Mr.. Mayhem put up his horse aud went
through the barns aud ontbuildings. to
make sure they were In order, while Mrs.
Mayhem made tour Of tho house and con.
graduated herself upon the fact that every.
thing was as ''neatas a pin"
Ihore was an appetElng smell OF roast
pork and onions In the arr aud the Inmates
In their clean starched dresses and aprons
looked healthy and we'll cared for. while
the Christmas tree, she was sure. would
show that they tried 20 make IL homelike
for the children.
Upon the whole, she was quite satisfied
with the condition Of Affairs and later In
the day watched the Governor and his stat
drive up TO the door with no misgIvlnes as
TO the result OF their Investigations.
They went through the barns first aud
then entering the house were duly presented
TO Mrs. Mahew, who undertook to pilot
them through her domain.
The attics and upper rooms were carefully
inspected. and once more back upon the
hfs' floor, with pardonable feeling Of pride,
Mrs Mathew threw open the ''foreroom"
door, with a murmured apology that !, was
not in lis usual order.
Very good Very praiscwor,hy, my
dear mazda n" marmured the Senator
from The district who accompanied the
party; and olhets echoed his praises.
But the Governor wM silent, and looking
at him for some sigu OF approval, Mrs.
Mahew saw that he was staring al the tree,
with eyes that saw nothing else, while his
face worked strangely, and half unconscious.
ly his band stroked the dress Of the nearest
doll.
Heres something for The babies" said
the Senator, as he'dtopped piece Of silver
into Mrs. Mahew's hand, aud Others added
their mites to the contribution, as they
turned TO follow Mr. Mahew, who jos, then
appeared at the door.
But the Governor still fingered.
"where did you get this ?" he asked a,
length in hushed voice as he pointed to
the doll's dress.
Zone Of the women made Il from an old
dress OF her owo," replied Mrs. Mshew,
wondering what Il all meant.
Scan see her ?"
''why, certainly ; but she's pretty bad
with rheumatism, and I'm afraid you'll
have to 60 10 her"
The Governor nodded. and still holding
the doll ia hiss hand, followed her through
a long corridor TO the general si,iing-room,
where The inmates were AL assembled.
There was auter Of skirts as Be entered,
and>s~ch one dropped her best courtesy
but with grave bow, which included all.
he passed them without word and made
his way 10 the farther end Of the room
where Mrs Barker was seated.
The others pressed ittic nearer, but
Mrs. Mahew, although herself burning with
curiosity, molioned them back as she said
"Mm Barker, his excellency, the Governor,
would like to speak with you. "Don't !
rise, madam !"
Il was the Governors deep voice that said
this, and the old woman, who had tried 10
stand. fell back with stisIed moan Of pain,
while she looked cunopsly at the bearded
face above her.
al am told you made this dress"
The Governors voice was husky now,
and had dropped almost to q whisper, as he
pointed to the gay lowered gown Of the
doll 10 his hand.
~ did"
"May ask where you obtained the
material 2"
''My husband bought Il for me a good
many gears agO, when 7 yrs young
woman she said With q sigh. "and I've
kept Il because he liked IL an SAMMY
that vas my boy--ihoughi 50 much q Il.
"And always liked to see his mother IN
her pretty flower gown cried ho
Governor, The tears chasing each other
down his cheeks.
''oh. mother mother mother r. and
oov he VAS oa bis knees, with his head in
iief lap.
She looked piieoosly from one 70 another
oi the efoup about her.
''iyhai dos be mcan - she asked.
"Ssmmy's dead There's 10 one to call
rae moiher"
The Governor lifted his head end drew
her face down 20 that he conld look toto
her eyes ''Moiher, don't yos know
sammy Z be said earnestly.
She shook be- head. 'ssammy's dead o.
she reiterated
ono; no, dear l' he cried II, was al
e mistake. Uncle Jim uas killed, bs, ! aa,
alive % love and care FOR you TIE resi- Of
your lie. See''--bfsshin1 aside M, hair