The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-12-22

possible 1t would be-. There was her
invalid mother who was accustomed
to little luxuries, to obtain which
Mary willingly deprived herself Of
many necessaries. But as Ben's wife
she could not do this-indeed she
could not burden him with her sick
mother at all. They had their little
dream of happiness for about one
quarter Of an hour, and then Mary
told him they could not marry. 1t
was Of no use to urge her-she must
take care Of her mother and she could
not have him undertake the support
Of all three Of them. For, Of course,
Ben, when you marry you will want
your wife to stay at home and keep
house and so my wages would dis
appear"
He could say nothing to alter her
mind. But, you know, Ben, we can
always be the best Of friends and will
see each other every day."
"See each other! But how? Only
in the dirty old shop where we both
toll so hard, or on the Sidewalks"
NOV l will not let you groan over
our conditions tonight. Let's be as
happy as we can. You may come in
tonight and see my mother and have
a cup Of tea together and think of
nothing but JOY" And Mary laughed
with her blue eyes sparkling, so that
Ben could not be very miserable.
And so they worked and waited for
long time content with knowing they
loved and were loved. seeing each
other In the shop, on the way home.
and occasionally on Sundays or of an
evening when Marys mother felt
strong enough for company-for their
home consisted of two small rooms
and the mothers convenience was al
ways studied as far as possible.
But Ben, after a time grew inn
patient. He often urged Mary to
marry him though they would all be
poor together-he would do every
thing In his power for her mother.
But Mary was firm. He might feel
willing now to take this extra burden
on his shoulders, but Mary had seen
such undertakings before and knew
that Ben might some time under the
stress of poverty, repent Of his bar
gain and make both their lives
wretched. 1t was her duty to care
Tor her mother, but not Ben's. Then
ne declared he would go away-to the
country, or to the west, or to the min
ing regions-anywhere that more
money might be made, and their union
De rendered possible. Mary did not
object Her heart sank at the thought
Of the shop without Ben in It. hit
perhaps after all it was the best
thlng ne could do. The prospects of
poor preser in a cloak facstory could
never be bright and surely there was
something better in the world for
Ben.
Al last the man made up his mind
10 go. He would come back In a few
years at most with money enough to
set up cozy home, and then thew
would be very happy together. But
Mary told him not to consider himself
engaged. 1t all came out well and he
came pack to marry her they would
De thankful and happy, but if he con-
s1oered himself bound it might ham,
per MS actions and he could not do
as we'll. But he vowed to be true to
her and was very sorrowful at bidding
her good bye.
MARY worked on, cheerful, patient
and smiling, never complaining or
showing by her manner that she was
ever lonely or sad. At first Ben
wrote quite regularly, which was
ol1lcult thing for him to do as he had
mad little practice in letter writing
lie tried several things farmed one
summer, worked on the railroad. and
nnaAy round his way to the mines Of
Colorado There his letters grew few
er ana at last ceased altogether.
Four years went by and Marv still
worked and waited and honad tn hoo,
asa'n from Ben. Her mother became
worse and she had to leave the shop
10 stay with her. But she could not
De Idle or devote herself to her mother
alone. There were no vacations. No
Trips TO the sea shore. or tn tho
mountains for rest, recreation and
health for her and her mother. Idle
ness meant pennilessness. and an
mary took home such cheap work "a
the nrm allowed to go out, and worked
Wy the bedside of her mother. pausinp
olly 10 administer to her wants when
aoso1utely necessary. But she talked
10 her or sang, and at all times smiled
10 Keep the poor mothers SPIRITS nm
through the long, hot, tiresome davis
AT last she died and Mary was alone
Inc ne1ghbors had helped her all thew
could, but they were all poor and there
was little to be done in their humble
nome Of straitened means. But Marv
Ielt thankful and responded with kind.
anec'1on TO all their efforts. She
nad not cent left when fina11v har
mother was laid to rest in the "noor
corner Of the city cemetery. sha
gave up the little place that had heen
their home so long and rented q l,tt1o
hall bedroom, where her cot. +ah1o
little oil-stove, her trunk and q nine
box for cupboard, constituted how
furniture. 'o'
She lived her life Of lon],ness ona
toll frightened by her own determ,na-
ton to be cheerful, for two wears mora
Then one morning when she went in+o
the presser's room there stood Rem ~
his old table working as though ha
had never been away. She caupht
her breath and one hand c1,tchad
tightly at her heart. He did not see