The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1914-08-21

fallen asleep But when he awokc
in the morning there stood Angelina
in front of the glass taking her hair
out of curl papers: and then he slowly
began to realize the tremendous
change that had come into their lives
when his wife committed the unprece'
denied act OF taking her crimps out
before breakfast. He realized that
they were to eat among strangers. lie
had become the guest of thirty won
en-folks." No doubt he should be
called "Old Gal Thirty-one." He got
up and dressed very, very slowly. The
bewildered gratitude, the incredulous
Thanksgiving OF last night. were as far
away as yesterdays sunset. A great
seriousness settled upon Abe's lear
face. At last he burst forth
"One to thirty! Hy.guy. I'm in fei
IT," How had It happened. he won
dered. They had given him no time ts
think. They had swooped down upon
him when his brain was dulled with
anguish Virtually, they had kidnapped
him. Why had they brought him here
to ACCEPT charity Of a women's insti
tuition? Why need they thus intensity
his sense of shame at his life's fail
ure. and. above all, at his failure tc
provide for Angelina? In the poor
house he would have been only one
more derclict but here he stood alone
to be stared Mt and pitied and thrown
sickly.satisfying crumb With o
sigh from the very cellar Of his being
nc muttered:
AYE, mother, why didn't ycw let
me so on ter the county house? That
like me. Hy.guy!" he calculated
beads OF sweat standing out on his
forehead. I'D ruther lay dcown an
die thin face them air women"
Thar, thar" soothinEly spoke
Angy, laying her hand on his arm
Thar, thar, father! Jest think haow
dretful Id feel a-goin deown without
yer"
so you would" strangely comfort
ed. 80 you would, my dear!" Fol
Joked clumsiy as they stood on the
/ threshold OF the chamber, whispering
blinking his eyes to make up for the
lack OF their usually ready twinkle.
"Hol' on n minute; supposin' fer
git whether ! be a man eT woman? 2
Her love gave inspiration to her an
swer: "I'll lean on yer, Abe"
Just then there came the loud. i'm
perative changing Of the breakfast
bell; and she urged him TO hurry, at
ut wouldn't dew" for them to be late
the first morning of all times, But he
only answered by going back into the
room to make an anxious survey Of
his reflection in the glass He shooh
his head reproyingly at the bearded
countenance, rs If to say You need
not pride yourself any longer on look
ing like Abraham Lincoln, for you
have been turned into miserable ole
woman"
Picking up the hair.brush, he helt
It out at arms length to Angy. Won
yew slick up my hair a loetle bit
mother" he aeked. somewhat shame.
facedly. 81 can't see eXtry well this
murnin'."
"Why, Abc It's sliCked ez slick az
It kin be naow' However, the old
wife reached up ms he bent his tall
angular form over her and smuothcd
again his thin, wet locks. He laughed
ha
laughed back, then urged him into the
hall, and. slipping ahead. led the way
downstairs. At the first landing, which
brought them into full view Of the
lower hall, he paused, possessed with
the mad desire to run away and hide
for at the foot of the stairway stood
the entire flock OF old ladies'. Twenty
nine pairs OF eyes we're lifted to hin
and Angy, twentynine pairs of lip:
were smiling at them. To the end o
his days Abraham remembered thos'
smiles. Reassuring, unselfsh ant
tender, they made the old mans hear
swell, his emotions go warning to
gether
He wondered. was grateful, yet h,
grew more confused and afraid. III
stared amazed at Angoline, VIII
seemed the embodiment Of self,posses
sion. lifting her dainty, proud It'll
gray head higher and higher. Sh
turned to Abraham with protecting
motherly little gesture Of commau
for him to follow, and marched ga