Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-01-30
Virginia Object Lesson
By HILDA RICHMOND
Copyright

all. Was it possible that this was the
beautiful bride of seven years ago?
ehe long train, exquisite veil and
white flowers with which Cousin
Editha had always been invested in
Virginia's memory faded away before
this tired, thin woman and her little
family.
"And this is Virginia." said Cousin
Editha, as soon as the boys had been
packed in the surrey and the baby on
Mrs, Castles lap. You're quite a
young lady, Virginia, and, a pretty one,
too. No, Carlos mustn't whip the
horsie! Jack, stop pulling at the lines!
Those children were clean when We
started, auntie, but only for a few
minutes. l suppose I'll have to take
the baby. She's cutting teeth and
fearfully cross. Yes, mamma is well
as usual, but she always seems tired.
She helps me a little with the chill
dren and-Jack! have spoken to you
for the last time! If you touch those
lines again I'll spank you as soon as
we get to auntie's."
Virginia sat silent during the short
ride. Cousin Editha's husband had
walked with Rob, leaving the surrey
for the ladies' and children, so Mrs.
Race had the whole care Of the lively
infants. Mrs. Castle sat with her in
the back seat, and Virginia had the
two boys with her in front, so there
was little chance for her joining in the
conversation if she had wished to.
Her cousins sharp, tired voice grated
~unpleasantly on her ears as she re-
membered the soft, low tones that had
responded so unsteady to the momen-
tous questions the day she had been
the flower girl.
EIDE hasn't been very well lately,
but think the rest will do her good
Mr.. Race was saying to Mrs. Randolph
when they drove up to the porch
I've got to hurry back to the city to
attend to some business, but I'm glad
to leave the babies in such good
hands"
Virginia escaped to her DON to ex-
anime the extent Of the damage two
pairs of dusty shoes had done to her
dainty white dress, bat her mother
o 0 called her down to wheel the
baby while Cousin Editha rests a few
minutes" The few minutes proved to
be two hours, for the tired mother
really was not well, and the long car
ride had made her worse than usual.
She came down to dinner in q white
wrapper that made her Daler than
ever, so Virginia devoted herself to
the noisy boys till bedtime.
"A picnic for me? It's very nice Of
you, dear, but 1 couldn't go" said
Cousin Editha, when Virginia spoke Of
the plan she and her mother had
made. 81 couldn't be easy a minute
away from baby, and taking her along
is out of the question. You go and
have a good time, Virginia, and don't
worry about me. If I can wear a pair
of slippers and an old wrapper, that
is all ] care for these days. When
the children grow up I'll go to picnics
again, but, I'm afraid, not before"
But we want to do something
pleasant for YOU said Virginia. "How
about a party? That wouldn't be TAX
ing you far from the baby"
EIDE always says parties begin too
late for her" laughed Mr.. Race. "She
has acquired the habit Of going to bed
at eight every evening"
at always shocks Virginia to have
you say 'Ede,' but | tell her we haven't
time for long names" said Mrs. Race.
"If she had three children crying at
once she would soon learn to save
time every way she could. Yes, l do
go to bed at eight when I'm at home,
for I'm always tired out. You'll find
out what good times you're having
now, my child, when they are all past.
feel old enough to be a grandmother
sometimes, and I'm only "a"
That's true" said Mr.. Race, with a
little laugh. whenever l e Virginia
and Herbert reading Tennyson to-
gether | think of how | used to sit
by the hammock and recite Lucille
by the hour to you, Editha. I'll try to
! remember the old name for Virginia's
benefit. | don't believe l could call to
mind three lines now to save my
life"
Virginia slipped away from the
young couple sitting in the midst of
playthings, little garments and crumbs,
for a good hard think in her own room.
Cousin Editha's visit came to an end
before the lively children wore every
n out, and when at last they went
home Virginia gave an impromptu lit
tie party to celebrate the event.
The young people who had Stunned
the Castles since the house had to be
perfectly quiet after seven O'Clock
every evening, came trooping back,
and once more the big house ran with
laughter and fun. Virginia was the
gayest of the gay, and once when Her
bert pressed her hand under cover
of the portiere she only laughed Joy
ously and said, Don't be a goose
Bert"