New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-12-12

never would be satisfied. OLD john
Barker never referred to them, but
every once in q while his wife would
catch herself brOoding. mistyeyed, of
the sure day when young Henry would
marry and leave them alone on the
big farm for which there was no other
heir.
Her sole comfort in the thought
was that he would undoubtedly marry
one of the honest buxom daughters of
neighboring farmers, who would be
content with country life and not eN-
Pect to take him too far away from
them IN their old age.
Then came the great war, and
Henry went overseas with his regi-
ment as did most of the other true
American boys. The old folks parted
from him courageously-old John
with a stern grip of %calloused, toll
worn hands, and Ma Barker with tears
steadfastly hidden behind her faded,
loving eyes,. He was their all and
they gave him.
In the anxious months that followed
the old folks life held the same hard
routine as ever on the farm. Old
John drove to town oftener than usual
sometimes wen twice a week-to
see If any letters had come from mys-
FERROUS. sinister places In France, and
he and mother would pore over the
few that did arrive in the proud
knowledge that their Henry was a
good boy and was doing his duty.
They prayed each night hat the Lord
would keep him safe to come back
to them and to keep him from teinpta-
tion while away from their care.
Then n day. like Il thunderbolt
out of "a clear sky, came a terrible
letter from France, which said: II
have found the sweetest little girl
in all the world, and I'm bringing her
home with me as a Christmas pres
n to you. The regiment is now at
Brest for embarkation and Wen sure
ly be home for the holidays. 3.
She is awfully pretty black hair, big
eve and always wanting 10 he kissed.
Her name is Angelique. OF
curse she can't speak anything but
I just know that youll Don learn to
love her as much as ! do"
The old folks were stricken with
CONSERVATION. Their Henry bringing
home a French girl-a foreigner who
wouldn't understand their simple, old
fashioned ways, and to whom they
never could reconcile themselves .
Such q one-accustomed TO the
wicked frivOlities of Parls-never
would fit in on the farm. however
modest or mice" she might be. More
likely she would despise it. and them.
and take their boy away 10 live in
some big city-leave them lonely In
the old age hat vas now upon them.
The old folks bowed their grayed
heads beneath the blow. nearly heart
broken. although they tried bravely to
conceal their most narrowing breads
from each other.
Maybe she won't expect to wear
silk underwear all the time and will
be willing to help you wipe the dishes
evenings, mother old John clumsily
tried TO console his wife as they sat
alone In the farmhouse kitchen n
night after chores were done. "And
maybe. after all. she won't want to
smoke cigarettes before people when
she finds that American girls around
here don't do that sort of thing"
Ma Barker shook her head sadly.
I'D do anything almost TO make
our boy happy, pa" she said, while
the tears gathered in her faded eyes.
1--WE must do our best not Ia let him
notice how disappointed we are. Only
II afraid she'll never be content here
or the farm with u.s."
Ma Barker went about preparations
for the big Christmas dinner with
fearful premonitions, heavy hearted.
She was nervous; wanted TO sit down
-. 81. - l.I a. h. -.