Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-06-25

FOOT OF THE HILL
BY MARY ROBERTS RlNsHART.

Grandfather Huxley was a relic in
the family. He had been handed
down for many years, from father to
SON, along with the brass andirons and
the mahogany settle, Unfortunately
although the last two pieces Of fam
lily property were more or less appre-
ciated the older they grew, almost the
reverse was true with the old a
When his daughter had died. in
late middle life, she willed the family
homestead-and her father, who had
built ito her son. The old mar
was seventy-fve then, and his wife
had been dead a dozen years, The
grandson was kindly enough: 10 his
mothers father he gave a comfortable
room and a misconceptions kind
Illness which showed itself in a total
disregard of the old mans politics
and all evident idea that at three
score and fifteen one should lose all
interest in this world and prepare for
the next
II Grandfather Huxley rehelled. he
said nothing. He began to take the
evening paper upstairs after the fam.
lily had finished with il, and to spend
a great deal of time polishing the
sword he had carried in the Mexican
wal.
Old people as a rule have few pos
sessions. One by one they dispose OF
unnecessary things. The belle Of so
years ago. who took a dozen trunks
visit, at seventy-fve generally has an
old-fashioned bureau full of necessa-
Ties, and. locked away in a little
trunk, a handful OF letters and senti-
mental trifles. And so with GRANDPA
Their Huxley; the possessions OF a
lifetime had dwindled to a huge up
holstered chair. with which he de.
hantly refused to part, and his old
sword.
The sword hung in its scabbard just
In the ~sleep!ess hours that come to
age. he could lie and dream about 1t.
From much tramping and dragging
the scabbard was worn away at one
corner; il was that corner which gave
Grandfather Huxley his dreams of
long-ago marches through cactus
plains and desert, his Nightmares OF
long-ago thirst and heat.
Below the sword was his wife's pic
ture. There was another portrait of
her in the room; a photograph taken
when her cheeks were furrowed and
her thin, white hair parted and
crimped; but. oddly enough. he never
looked at that one. He was very,
very old. and he lived In his youth.
Everything between was hay and
dim. The picture at which he looked
was that Of a girl. a little old water.
color Of a girl with thoughtful eyes
and frivolous hair.
After his ninetieth birthday Grand
father Huxley became abnormally SEN
sitive. Sometimes he could hear
scraps Of conversation about him.
And how old is the old man today?
It's almost uncanny. isn't it,"
oh he's always just the same.
But in the nature OF things he won't
be with us very long"
One day some army officers dined
at the house. Grandfather Huxley pol.
ished his sword until it glittered. and
fixed his white neckcloth with trem-
bling fingers. At the table the CONVEX
cation turned to things military. and
the old man. filed with fire, told Of
that wonderful campaign of ls47. The
officers listened respectfully-they
Were gallant fellows; but when Grand
father Huxley dropped back in his
chair he heard the apologize voice Of
his eat-granddaughter, Ellen. across
thR table
He's a dear old soul" she said,
but getting childish now; go OIL with
what you were saying"
After dinner the old man went up
stairs. He took the shining sword
from his bed and fingered 1t lovingly.
y guess you and | have lived past
'our time" he said huskily, and then
he reached for his handkerchief and
polished away carefully a spot Of
moisture that might have been a
tear.
That night an idea seized him. He
was VI no use in the world; no one
depended on him, no one needed him.
He had lived 20 years past his al.
jotted time; perhaps the good Lord
had forgotten him. There could be
no harm Ia taking a life that was
nothing but a burden. And so, the
next day. he began his pitifully few
preparations. He sorted out his let
tiers. and, finding none that he cared
20 have profaned by alien eyes, he
burned them all. He went over his
wardrobe and decided that Mike, the
gardener. should have his winter coat.
When II came to his most cherished
possession-the s~word-doubts as
sailed him; so few were worthy of the
honor. Finally. however. he decided to
give II TO Ellen's husband. After all.
they had been kind to him: II was
not their fault that they lived in a fu-
tire in which he could have no share,
Warning.
In a discussion of the number Of
automobile accidents dine Ia careless