Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-07-07

WE{T1 HEN William H1gglnbOttOm,
W Jr., electrified his parents with
the startling announcement Of
Ills marriage, his mother almost faint
ed, so great was the shock.
Almost from his cradle, Lavinia Hig-
ginbottom, being disappointed in the
advent of a son instead OF a daughter,
had consOled herself with the thought
OF a possible daughter-in-Iaw having
4oreseen by some mysterious oracle
that her son would be the first and last
Higginbottom Of their generation, as
his father and grandfather mad been
before him.
Of course her daughter-in-law would
be dainty in feature and form, and
possible brunette, as her son was a
ford blonde of the herculean type, true
to his birth and ancestry. Besides, La
vinia was a small woman, and enter
tained no thought of looking up to a
daughter-in-law; she, Lavinia Higgin-
bottom, alone would reign queen Of her
home
After the first shock was over, La
vinia hurried to her daughter-in-law's
Hoom-which had been furnished and
In waiting for more than ten years,
ever since her son had celebrated the
day Of his legal majority-and began
hasty preparations for the reception Of
the bride and groom.
"Oh, DEAR" she sighed, ''if it could
only have been Pinkie Warner or
Lillian White or Violet Simpson-but
he wouldn't listen to me-just ike a
Higgfnbottom, thought he'd only
took after the Hightowers he'd "a
saved me lots Of trouble.
'Marthy !" she called from the stair
way, bring up fresh pitcher of
water" The Lavinia sat down for a
breathing space and critically surveyed
the little room.
The pfnk-fowered curtains at the
windows had long since faded, like her
hopes with the years; and the carpet
had grown dingy and dull. The little
oId-fashioned bureau-an antique in
heritance- stood up primly against the
wall between the windows, looking as
calm and composed as on the day 1t
was stationed there many years before.
Two equally prim candlesticks stood in
their long-accustomed places upon little
crocheted mats; and the inevitable
powder-box reposed In the center of
the bureau. Over the oval mirror hung
a stuffy pincushion replete with rusty
pins. On the plain high mantel were
two little Dresden china statuettes de-
family facing each other; apparently
the distance between them had engen-
dered a cold disdain. In the middle of
the mantel stood a green glass vase,
allied with crystalized grasses.
Martha, the maid, came with the
pitcher of water.
''Now, go to the baker's," said La
vinla, land get some Iady-fingers and
Jelly rolls for tea-hurry, quick p
Lavinia smoOthed the coverlet on the
old-fashioned bed, then Strengthened
the bolster and replaced the pillows
with genuine satisfaction. The feather
bed was Lavinia's special pride. be-
cause 1t was a fine, large one, and was
rendered doubly dear and sacred from
the fact that her precious old grand
mother and dear mother had taken
their earthly flight from this soft
couch; 1t had been summed and aired.
but remained on the bed from winter
to summer, and back to winter again.
Lavinia then opened the bureau draw
er, and took from an embroidered linen
case a dainty gown and nightcap-La-
vinia was neat or nothing.
1.-THE poor little thingIl be tired, 1
know" Lavinia unused, coming I'll the
way from Virginny>-that's what the
telegram said-and maybe her trunlz'I
not come tonight"
She laid the robe at the foot of the
bed, and hung the little frilled cap on
the knob of the bedstead-looking like
a thing Of life. Then she opened a
window to let IN some fresh air, and
looked out.
The wayside was green with Buffalo
clover; and in the adjoining vacant lot
tall suntlowers lifted their lofty heads,
ell aglow with golden colors. Lavinia
remembered how William, when a child
at home had admired their gorgeous
hues. She could now in fancy see his
little sunny 'head peeping up between
the tall, green stalks-and his was
sunny disposition, too The years
rolled back for Lavinia to-day, and she
briefly went cover a mental picture of
the past. E&ch little childish incident