The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-01
THE EVENING STORY
I'm Gods Good Time !,
by Rob NJ. Camnbell I

ter sat on the porch bench of a little
country store. The building was neat
er In appearance than the other bust
ness houses in the struggling western
kansas town, but in spite of this it
was not in keeping with the air of
refinement and culture of the two wo-
men.
me mother was slightly built wo-
| man. Her face was kind, but deter
mined looking. Her hair was dark,
streaked with gray. The daughter
| was slip of a girl, but she had her
motherS firm mouth and resolute
chin She was not much over TWEEN
ty, but the lines around her mouth
| made her appear older.
A book lay open on the girls lap.
She was not reading, however. She
was watching the Kansas sunset. The
mother had her knitting work with
her but her hands were idle. She
was looking at young boy who was
playing horSeshoeS with some other
lads across the street. Suddenly she
glanced at the girl by her side for a
few moments and then said quietly:
Mary, do you realize it's three
years ago today since we took charge
of the store after fathers death ?"
The girl nodded, slowly and leaned
her head against her mothers arm.
I'VE had a hard struggle at first"
the older woman continued, but now
the store debt is paid and we have
little money laid by, as of course you
know" The mother hesitated a mo-
| nent and then went on:
81 received letter from your Aunt
Minnie today, but We were so busy
at mail time that I did not say much
about it. Now 1 wish to talk it over
The girl sat up. She was all ex-
pectancy.
The mother resumed: "Since Min
ME has been so rushed with her stu
dent boarders last spring. she has de-
| next term. She intends for him
to wait on tables for board. She
will rent a room to the student very
cheap. I know that Minnie would
be very good to a deserving person.
and would give her help plenty of
| time for college work.
ooh, Mother" exclaimed the girl,
eagerly.
"Of course continued the mother.
ST have always said that both of my
children should have much better
education than I. This seems like a
good oppor unity, but, as Minnie
wants only one, I-I-think, I cannot
help feeling that the one should be
George"
but this time in a different voice.
Eyes" resumed the mother very
tenderly 81 knew it would be hard
for you to give up your plans, after
you had worked and hoped as you
have done. I went through 1t all
when 1 was forced to give up my
plans and come way out here some
| time before I met your father. Some
times I think that the change was
a mistake for me, but now l want to
see George"
course, the girl burst out. She had
arisen and was standing tense and
rigid 81 do not understand why IT
is always George have always
given up in everything else and now
y don't think I have to do this even
if he is Younger than I. 1 cannot help
it. I do not see why I should have
to shut myself down here when
MARY exclaimed the mother.
won't you sit down and listen TO me
for just a moment?"
From force of habit perhaps, the
girl obeyed. The mother continued
more gently than ever:
There is no have to- about it. You
know 1 never compelled you to DO
ANYTHING since you were child You
know we always talked things over
together and then decided to follow
whatever plan seemed best to both
of US. In the same way, L wish TO
talk this over. Then you may De
eide. 1 do not wish to appear to be
partial to George. I may have been
mistaken to have INDUCED him SO
much. We all make mistakes. L
would think that I had made my NE
mistake in leaving the East and COM
ing way out here, II L hao NOT raiseu
you. 1 am so proud of you. 1 know,
too, 1 would be proud of your career
in college and hope you may go
some time. You are very determined
upon this but George, is different. he
is Young and restless. There is little
@,-Ir fnr i'm
you yourself wouldn't wish to see MIN
grow up to be like so many OF the
boys of this town"
The sound of angry voices came
across the street. A a1 r;p,ns over 'ne
yes I know" answered the girl,
her voice was subdued now. "but how
can ever give up all my plansE On,
I wish we could both go, togetner- l
fear that I will be too old to start
to college when George gets through.
1t isn't just my going to college that
I care about SO much-it's what II
may lead to.-you know"
The mother stroked the way
brown hair from the girls broad fore
head. A choke was in her voice when
she spoke again.
"Mary, dear she said, "you know
I have always said that l could die
happy if only George was settied IN
some occupation Here she looked
across the road where the boy was
leaving the angry crowd and had
started home to do his night chores-
stOf course" she continued, you
can always get along with your pres
ent education. but George needs
more. if he intends to make anything
of himself If he takes this chance
to earn his way through college ana
graduates, he will be all right for life.
Now he wishes to go. but if he waits
another year, he may never care to
go. 1t seems to me that 1t would be
better for you to stay at home with
T,,e-for a little while longer at least.
We can both work and save enough to
help the boy pay part of his ex-
penses know you wouldn't stand
in the way of our Georges making
something of himself, would you'
dear?