Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-09-01
NY OWN PEOPLE
BY ELIZABETH M.NAueHT.
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&c BY Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.)
There were many things that dark.
eyed Rebecca was forced to put up
with In her squalid little home
many things that were no at all con-
ducive to the happiness of a twenty
year-old visionary such as she hap
pened to be.
There was Grandma Schwartz, CON-
fortably situated, with no real worry
Of an impoverished old age, yet for
ever lamenting her growing feebleness
and Its attendant loss Of usefulness ;
and Grandpa Schwartz, continually
railing against the present generation ;
and last, Rebeeca's father, moody and
silent. constantly worrying that a like
wise unjust world, just then whisper
Ing prohibition, might bring 1t to an
Issue. And he in the liquor businessi
To gentle, retiring little Rebecca
the very smell of the stuff vas an
abomination. Dutifully, she worked
unseen in the little compartment be-
hind the bar, labelling, bottling, seal
ing but worked mechanically, for al
ways her mind was far ahead In the
future. far removed from that damp,
heavy atmosphere. Before her minds
eye many futures visioned themselves
mistily, many modes of life, many
friends. And, impulsively. without q
moments notice she reached her great
decision.
Amid the tears and pleas and dire,
~bewildering predictions Of her near
ones she passed into the gray stone
walls Of the county hospital to emerge
four years later a positive little soft
voiced Rebecca, spotless in white
linen, bearing SO much dignity, yet in.
fuencing so sweetly. Not ven her
father dared to challenge her when
she sprinkled her queer smelling dis
~infectants about the house nor vet
when she calmly disagreed with many
of their lifelong traditions. Slowly,
yet patiently she worked for the
change. And slowly it came.
No longer did grandma pray aloud
that her last sickness might be "a
short bed; grandpa, IL he still re-
tanned his own opinions. kept them
pretty well to himself, especially in
the presence of this capable young
changeiing, and father, the former
master of his own and others desti-
MOS hod aouco tn ha iuhiloDf FOR ho.
cause Of the earnest solicitation Of
Rebecca, he had stepped very grace
fully and financially safe from the
business a year previous and compli-
menting himself on his shrewdness,
sat back and dared a real prohibition
to do Its worst. Thus they sat salts
fed, atop Of their little world Of hap
piness. Suddenly, their world caved
inl Father saw him first.
"Why, / raj simply on a case with
him." vas her only explanation, given
with q finality that was eloquent In
Its defiance, or such 1t seemed to tbs
meek old man. But the cases became
most frequent.
Like most old ladies, grandma had
the habit of sitting down In he, rock
ing chair with something to read, then
going to sleep, to awaken just as the
small black roadster bearing away hel
daughters child turned the corner
One evening she awakened about three
seconds Don than usual or just In
time to catch a glimpse Of the mystery
man. Her vantage point wal the bed
Dor window and the moonlight, abet.
ted by a fading vision, interfered
somewhat. Her heart stood still, for
the silvefy grayness Of the hair and
the paleness Of the skin proclaimed
him a Gentle. The trembling knees
grew weak and shakingly she crept
beneath the sheets, sore at heart, fear
fully apprehensive, yet IN ally.
Rebecca would marry whomever she
chose, this the old lady knew, yet she
also knew the hardness Of the non.
compromising father, and after weeks
Of dwelling in such misery, 1t was moi
surprising that she took to her bed
really sick this time. One evening, he
invaded their home; straining hard
the invalid heard Rebecca's happy
voice and CHEEKY laugh welcoming
him.
"Oh, God Of Abraham" she prayed
humbly, take m to your bosom"
Great drops Of Precipitation stool
out on her forehead and 1t was quite
q few minutes before she became con
scious of a cool hand soothing hel
brow. Slowly, she peered up, seek
ing for a little comfort In the kline
eyes above her bed, but they wer'
elsewhere.
II shouldn't have left her. Rebecci
was saying, "the heat is SO depressing
today
GrRndma's eyes enclrcled the room
seeking the intruder, and one look Int,
q pair OF somber black eyes and heI
blueish. grayish. swaying old world vi
and righted itself. What matte
biondellke hair or Gentle features
For, instinctively, Grandma Schwartz
knew she was being supported by tn,
strong arm Of a o Of the chosel
people. Al little gasping, haif-utteret
explanation In Rebecca's ear. a few
nervous tears and It was all over a
the girl said chidingiy:
Grandma, dear. where IL your trus
In mef I never could foFsaks my owl
people, my own faith; II ! for q mo
ment doubted that ! should. ! woul'
have dropped II all four years ago"
Ana with d GLAD iittle cry, Fecognis