Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-10-18
ANTIQUES
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON

AFth4Gs AAtg &c EANMAh@ w. WINS
said of them. Mr.. Gage could no longer
work all day on his farm.
Mrs. Gage gazed about the rooms OF
the house where they had always lived.
"We'ye got more things than we need.
father" she observed.
1--WE needed 'em once, mother" he
returned.
"But they amt good for much now"
she protested, they're kinder in the
way"
"Mebby they be. mother, but they've
done good service in their day"
Look at them chairs. We had 'em
when we first set up housekeeping do
you remember? But they're old now"
yes. I remember; nigh onto 30
years. amt it?"
"Fifty-fve, father" she corrected.
"That 50? We're gettin' old, but we
amt Outgrown each other, If things
have wore out bit" he chuckled, a
twinkle in his eye.
"Them chairs cost a heap o. money"
she went on. IF we'd a put il in the
bank we'd have something to live on
now"
can there's the sideboard," she con-
tinued. ave paid $40 for that, an
faint a mite o. good to us now"
"But IL has been o use, mother" he
protested.
"An' all the parlor things" she con-
tinued. 1--WE don't use 'em. We don't
have no occasion 10 90 into the parlOr
now"
They settled down TO their quiet
evening by the kitchen stove. II was
not often that mother" worried about
money matters. and she soon forgot.
a week later Mr.. and Mrs. Gage
were sitting at their late breakfast.
The table was set with the blue china
they used for the past - years, the
pewter castor. the sugar bowl of Gu
rious design. the two tined forks.
There came a knock at the back
door. 4 man walked in. of keen, hush
neSslilSe appearance.
Thought twas most likely I'd find
You In the kitchen" he announced.
"Irs the best room In the house, nov
amt e.? I always love Kitchen"
lie looked about the room.
Il do love old things! You've got a
lot Of 'em. That old blue china, now.
I'm interested in that. Must be quite
old? Yes, thought SO. And this pew
teri These chairs-yOu must have had
EN-"
"Fifty-fve yearsl" Mrs. Gage boast
ed.
"Ahl That's a long time-and this
sldehoard-ever think Of selling 'em?"
Mrs. Gage flushed. 'They amt worth
much. Where could we sell 'em?"
"TeH you what" the man considered.
81 do n little In that line myself, just
collecting. you see, a few old things
ike yours. might find something
here. Now. II you wanted a little
money, 'twould come I'm handy. We
might make some kind Of a bargain.
You can't use all this stuff"
"No. it's in the way" Mrs. Gage an
swered. hut her husband said nothing.
"Tn give you two dollars apiece for
those chairs" he offered.
"Oh, will your" she gasped. "You
can have email Of 'em. We don't
need 'em."
"And the sldeboard-rn give you $50
for that"
Mrs. Gage could hardly believe her
ears. Her things were worth some
thing. They would be rich!
The sale continued. The man went
from attic TO cellar, picking out the
things he wanted. you needn't fear
coming to want" he said. you'll have
enough for the rest Of your lives. My
mans outside. He'll fake this truck
out Of your way"
They had come TO the big four poster
In the attic. Then Mr.. Gage spoke for
the first time Mother" he whispered,
''you an me slept on that when we
was first married. All our babies has
slept on IT,"
$50 they have, father" Somehow,
money didn't look so important TO her
now. "Ne won't let that 60"
"And the crib, mOther-he's taking
that! Our first baby that died slept in
that"
Tears were I'm the woman's eyes.
"ae can't have that" she cried.
Mrs. Cages feelings were beginning
to change. Things were very precious
10 her now. II would be like parting
with the children over again to let
these 20. one by one they went oven
the things the man had set aside. Each
one had dear associations. Even the
kitchen chairs had priceless memories
of Thanksgivings and festivals; the
sideboard. where the little ones had
been measured, each year coming up a
little nearer to the top. where the
tempting fruit was displayed. 1--WE
can't spare one." mother decided.
How could she have thought 10 let
them 90? The old china. her mothers.