Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-07-20

AIRS. THADDEUS CLAYTON came
AVA softly into the room and looked
with apprehenslve eyes upon the little
old man in the rocking chair.
How be We, dearie? Yer hain't
wanted fer nothin', now, have YEP she
asked.
mot thing, Harriet he returned
cheerily. SIN feelin' real pert, too.
Was there lots there? An did Parson
Drew say heap o. fine things?"
Mrs. Clayton dropped into chair
and pulled hstlessly at the black
strings of her bonnet
"'Twas beautiful funral, Thad-
deus-a beautiful fun'ral. IL most
wished 1t was mine-
Harriet"
She gave shamed-faced laugh.
well, l did--then Jehiel and Han
nah Jane would "a come, an / could
"a seen 'em."
The Mortified look on the old mans
face gave way to broad smile.
ooh! Harriet-Harriet! !" he chuck
led, "how could We seen 'em if You
was dead?"
Huh? Well, IThaddeus"-he
voice rose sharply in the silent room
every single one of them Perkins boys
was there, and Annabel, too. Only
think what poor Mis- Perkins would "a
given ter seen 'em fore she went
But they waited-waited, Thaddeus,
jest as everybody does, till their folks.
is dead"
"But, Harriet" demurred the old
man, "surely you'd "a had them boys
come, ter their own mothers fun'rall"
Comet I'd "a Toasted her eyes on
'em. Thaddeus"-Mrs. Clayton rose to
her feet and stretched out two gaunt
hands Observation-Disclosures / get so
hungry sometimes for Jehiel and Han
nah Jane, seems as though I Jest
couldn't stand It'll"
Il know know, dearie,7 quavered
the old man, vigorously polishing his
glasses.
Fifty years ago my first baby CAME"
resumed the woman IN tremulous
tones; then another came, and an
other, till I'd six. loved 'em an
tended EN- an cared for em, an didn't
have thought but was fer them
babies. -Four died'-her voice broke,
then went on with renewed strength
but I've got Jehiel and Hannah Jane
left; at least, I've got two bits Of paper
that comes mebbe once month";. an
one Of ems signed your dutiful son.
Jehiel, an the other, from your loving
daughter, Hannah Jane"
well, Harriet, they-they're pretty
good ter write letters" ventured Mr..
clayton.
"Letters!" walled his wife. 81 can't
hug an kiss letters, though l try to,
sometimes.
swell, well, wife, mebbe they'll come
-mebbe they'll come this summer
who knows?"
She shook her head dismally.
You've said that ev'ry year for the
last fifteen summers, an they haint
come yet. Jehiel went West more than
twenty years ago, an he's never been
home since. Why, Thaddeus, we've got
IA grandson most eighteen, that we
hain't even seen! Hannah James been
home jest once since she was married.
but that was nigh on ter sixteen years
hgo. She's always writin' of her Tom
my and Nellie, butt want ter see
EN-, Thaddeus; / want ter see 'em !"
Eyes, yes; well, well ask 'em, Har-
riet, again-well ask 'em real urgent
Ike, an mebbe thatll fetch EN-" COM
forted the old man. ''WeIl ask~ EN-
ter be here the Fourth; that's eight
weeks off yet, an l shall be real smart
by them
Two letters that were certainly "ur-
gent-likes left the New England farm
house the next morning. One was ad-
dressed to thriving western city, the
pther to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In course of time the answers came.
Hannah James appeared first, and was
opened with shaking fingers.
Dear Mother (read Mrs. Clayton aloud:
Your letter came two or three days ago.
and have hurried round to answer it,
for you seemed to be so anxious to hear.
I'm real sorry, but l don't see how we
can get away this summer. Nathan is
real busy at the store; and, some way,
can't seem to get up energy enough to
even think of fixing up the children to
lake them so Tar. Thank you for the In
vitation. though. and we should enjoy
the visit very much; but guess we can't
30 just yet. OF course, If anything serious
should come Up that made It necessary
why that would be different. but know
you are sensible, and will understand how
is with us.
Nathan is well, but business has been
pretty brisk, and he Is in the store early
and late As long as he's making money,
he don't mind; but tell him think he
might rest a little sometimes and let
some one else do the things he does.
Tom is big boy now, smart In his
studies and with a good head for figures.
Nellie loves her books. too; and. for
title girl Of eleven, does p2tty well. we
think
must close now. We all send love.
hnd hope you are getting along all right.
Was glad TO hear father was gaining SO
fast.
Your loving daughter,
HANNAH JANE
The letter dropped from Mrs. Clay.
rou'u fpnaro and 90, tbo