Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-08-07
THE LESSON OF THE MATS.
1t Reached the Lfght-Hearted Wis
flor and Remained with Her

- ASCsSCACU tho AA&nI-hSaxIGO VIE
flor and Remained with Her.
II was admiring these fascinating
mats, Mrs. Bruce, before you came
down." remarked the pretty caller,
leaning back rather listlesly in TIE
armchair.
Yes, they're odd, aren't they?" re-
piled the older lady, hurriedly adding,
Have you done much Christmas
work." The story of those lace mats
was not for every ones ears
NO." sighed Mrs. Myers 81 used
to, but keep on the go too much. I've
got so into the habit of it that I can't
bear to stay at home"
Really? Why, I'm surprised.
supposed you 7pent half your time
playing with that bewitching baby"
laughed Mrs. Bruce.
"Oh, she is a dear, but don't seem
to get much time with her."
"And how is your mother? She's al
ways so CHEEKY and interesting"
Il don't think mothers very we'll
lately. Her blindness cuts her off
from so much; and dare say she gets
lonely sometimes" replier Mrs. Myers.
II suppose she does" assented Mrs.
Bruce, casting a swift glance from her
soft brown eyes at the young woman.
She took but an absent-minded part In
the conversation as It drifted from one
subject to another, and presently she
picked up one of the crocheted mats,
saying:
"You were speaking Of these few
moments ago. Perhaps you'll be inter
ested to hear their story, and why I
consider them one Of my treasures.
Don't tell Mr.. Bruce, for twas he who
made them"
What, that exquisite lace!" exclaim-
ed her friend. 81 knew Professor Bruce
was once a naval officer and that now
he's professor; but 1 never dreamed
crocheting was one Of his accomplish
ments"
Perhaps you will say twas more
than that 1t was during his second
year In college, and his family was
scattered for the first time, leaving his
mother alone IN the homestead at
Woodford. She developed what was
In those days a strange nervous trou-
BILE. She refused to see friends, and
seemed on the verge Of melancholia.
OF course 1t was before we could hire
nurses to care for QUE Gear ones, and
there seemed to be n 1ne to stay with
the mother they adored.
Finally Edward left college, and
FOR that whole winter devoted himself
to his mother, walking, driving with
her, and doing deftly many little SER
vices. When he could rouse her inter-
est in no other way, he used to sit by
her side for hours, allowing her to
teach him these intricate patterns Of
lace"
mo wonder you love them," said
Mrs. Myers, gently, as she laid one of
the mats back on the table. Then she
rose to go.
Not for several months did Mrs.
Bruce see her young friend again.
When the June roses were In bloom
she appeared one morning with
bunch Of them, saying:
II came to thank you and Professor
Bruce for one of the happiest winters
ever had. 1t was the story Of his
mats, you know. 1t made me seem so
selfish couldn't forget It," she went
on, choking a little, land it made
things look different Mother and
have had such haDDy times together
with our work and books and she's
grown younger every day; and the
children and Mr.. Myers and 1 have
had such fun! I just wanted to tell
you, and-and to thank you."-Youth's
Companion.