Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1921-07-07
SWEETEST NAME
BY MARY wfNiFRED FORD.
/. l92l. BY Meclure Newspaper Synthetic

Good morning, Mrs. Abbot" Gale
the postman cheerIIy, as he placed
dainty pink and white envelope in tn
J wrinkled old hands,
e Before he had time to be out o
i sight she called TO him excitedly t,
e come back, and she waved the pinl
| and white envelope as though thi.
alone would tell him to hurry-how i'm
portant was the letter he handed heI
this morning.
"Oh Mr.. Jackson, read it-Oh, my
On, my" was all she could say, but
Mr.. Jackson knew her old heart was
glad over something and the thought
that he was the one to deliver any
good news to this dear old LADY,
thrilled him through and through.
"A precious little baby girl has
come to gladden. our hearts," was
what he read.
Just think, Mrs. Abbot, at last your
wish has come true-you are really
and truly grandma to someone now
and as he saw her brush a tear away,
he left hurriedly, for In his own eyes
bicAc lldu gathered mist
Mrs. Abbot had buried her children
years ago and her sorrow had made
her old, and hard work her hands
coarse and wrinkled; but in her eyes
shone the soul of a wonderful woman
and mother. Every morning at G |
found her working around a little
restaurant near her home, and
o'clock at night she could be seen
leaving the restaurant, tired, but a
smile was there playing around the
sweet mouth. She adopted the baby
girl of her girlhood friend and play
mate, Mae Adams, who died shortly
after her husbands death 20 years
previous.
The child was named Mae after
Ter mother, but she had known only
me mother, Mrs. Abbot, who toiled
lard to bring the child up as she felt
Nae Adams would have done had
he lived. When in high school the
irl protested and declared she must
cave and help her 'Mumsy" out, but
nat dear old soul also protested, say
lg that her own mother would have
esired nothing more than to see her
tile girl properly educated.
With pension she was receiving
nee her husbands death, and the
oney received for her daily work I'm
e restaurant, she was able to buy
e things a young girls heart would
sire, so that Mae was rich with
things she craved-pretty frilled
esses. shoes, etc., and a wonderful
'therly love from Mrs. Abbot.
Ihen along came her handsome
ung knight, and they were married,
d "Mumsy Abbott" was alone, as
ok Edmond insisted that his wife
'uld leave her home in the country
go to New York with him to live.
ey pleaded with Mrs. Abbot to &C.
npany them, but she refused TO
t with the old home and the things
loved-the trees, the birds that
become a part Of her wonderful
Now came the wonderful newsl
"Mumsy" must come at once to
the little girl. But, alas this poor n
e mother was now along In years n
the trip would prove too much
her, so she sent q letter of con-
ulation and love to them both in
d. n
ack, here is a letter from Mumsy,
she feels the trip would be too
for her. Oh, am so disap-
ted l just wanted to see Num-
lddle baby to her and to see the
In her eyes, for, Jack, she al
wanted to be grandma way
and now, when her wishes are
led. she cannot come" and a tear
led down the pretty cheek. Jack
led 1t away lovingly, saying that
as soon as baby and she were
enough they would visit dear
dumsy.
1t, Jack, what are we going to -
this precious baby? l want a
retty name for her"
ny, your own name, dear, would
me best of ALL"
J mol that isn't pretty-ClaIre
ays did like, and then there is
~ and Geraldine"
neither of them knew that back .
In the country, sitting near the a
v watching her birds, was
Id lady telling each little bird
'he wanted most of all, and at
bought of it her blue eyes
ID and her heart beat faster.
time later when the baby was
enough, they went out to the -
ountry home, still puzzled what -
iould call baby. Grandma was 49,.
ed, but she just looked at them
nd as she Rugged baby close A
there was the same longing "
eyes that the little birds saw
!, yet she said nothing. A
!. looking through her moth N
ting desk one day Mae found
If paper, and on it was writ IN
so many times, "Anastasia
mund." Then 1t dawned on
It Mumsy's hand had written
ne and was hoping they would
lQtr first hahx ofto. w