River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-01-21

had been so used to work; her feet had
been so t.-eless all these years-was II
wise to stay them from steps of love and
working? Her brain had been so eager
to command every bone, nerve, limb and
throb of the heart-ah, was not her own
son doing her a great injustice by or
dering rest now? The noise and hustle
in the kitchen came to her ears like
music-only she, wished she could be
among it all. Suddenly the dinne- horn
sounded to call the men folks. Her
eyes frightened and she started from
her chair toward the door. Then she
halted and stood still with uplifted hand
and a troubled look on her face.
In the doorway stood her sons wife
bearing tray. She stepped briskly
forward and said, smilingly:
Your dinner, mother. You must take
things easy now"
mo, no! / can't eat my dinner here.
don't want to be waited upon, dear
'But this is not waiting upon you,
mother. / like to save you steps. Here
you can eat in comfort and ease. See,
all the nice things we have in the kitch-
en-. You will not have to stir from your
easy chair-please do sit down. There,
isn't it nice and comfortable to have
your tray right on little table by your
chair? If you need more tea just ring
this cute little bell. You must take it
easy. mother"
And for the second time that day the
busy old mother was gently pushed into
her rocking chair For the second time
the irony of affairs was pressed home to
the quick.
The cute little bell was not sounded for
more tea. While the rest of the folks
were gayly talking, rafting spoons,
knives and dishes in the kitchen, the old
mother sat with folded hands looking
at the red glow behind the mica. She
does not touch the food she cannot take
a morsel She is resting, resting so
hard, so bitterly that she can only sit
and think.
The next day was the same-only she
began to eat little, but lightly. She is
eating lightly addressing, resting
more than she wishes. She is resting
so much that her heart is growing
hungry, SO hungry that she is feeding 1t
with the tears that she must hide, but
cannot keep from dripping, ever drip
ping inwardly. =
A few more days and she plucked up
courage and demanded to go to the
kitchen. But her sons wife was deaf to
her entreaties and returned:
you are growing old enough to take
a nice long rest, mother. / am here to
do the work.
"But I do so want to do something
to help. Please let me come in the
kitchen and wash the dishes, scour the
pans and pots"
Never! Folks would laugh at me if
l should let you do that. l am strong.
Besides, mother, l do not want to be
bothered"
81 would not bother you, my dear. l
only want to help you with the work.
Please let me help you"
mo; l promised John 20 make it as
easy as possible for you. | am doing al
l can for you; wait on you, do all the
work and bring your meals to you"
But you must see, dear, that am not
a sick person who needs to be waited on.
l do not like to be waited on. / don't
eat much now-but could eat lots more
if could only go in the kitchen where
the rest of the folks are"
What a silly fancy! Here you are
at ease, and comfortable. do not mind
bringing your meals in here. It is so
nice and quiet here. You must content
yourself, mother. John wanted me to
make it easy for you, and lam doing the
best l know how"
The old lady looked after the fine
figure that disappeared through the
doorway. and softly said in low tone:
you do not know-you are so young
Neither does John know-he thinks you
are doing all things right. But know
you are starving me, my heart, my soul,
my all. If you only could know how
long the days are to me, sitting here
alone; if you could know how dark the
nights are to me; if you could only
know how l long to get away from my
chair, get to workout you will never
know"
Weekly the little old lady grew more
and more weak, pale and thin. She COM
planned no longer; she sat in her chair
by the fire and looked upon the red
glow behind the mica. She is resting
but eating more lightly than ever. All!
but her heart is growing greedier and
'eedier day after day. Her hungry
heart that feeds ever and ever upon her
tears!
The tray is brought to her chair one
morning and the young wife says:
Eat. mother, and take it easy"
No hand is lifted, no lips feebly utter
thanks, no wrinkled face upturns. The
others hand is laid on the thin shoulder
but the little old mother is at rest at
last Her soul and heart are starved at
last.
She is distinguishing everlastingly
Some years ago, he, together with Mrs.