The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-12-14
ANTIQUES
ey JULIA A. Ro0iNsoN


y
Mrs. Gage gnzed about the rooms OF
the house where they had always lived.
We've got more things than we need.
father" she observed.
Eve needed 'em once. mother" he
returned.
"But they amt good for much now"
she protested. they're kinder Ia the
I way"
"Mebby they be. mother. bu, they've
done good service In their day"
Look nj them chairs. We had EN-
when We first set up housekeeping
you remembcrf But they're old now"
"Yes. ! remember; nigh onto %
years. amt itf'
"Fifty-nve father" she corrected.
That sol We're gettln' old. hut we
amt outgrown each other. II things
have wore out Bit" he chuckled. a
twinkle In his eye.
Them chairs cost a heap o. money"
she went on. III we'd put Il In the
bank we'd have something Ia live on
now"
AN there's the sldcboard." she con.
tinued. I'VE paid $40 for That. an
faint mite o good 20 us now"
"But Il has been q use. mother" he
protested.
"An' all the parlor things" she con
[ tinued. I'VE don't use 'em. We don't
have no occasion TO 20 into the parlor
now"
sTp.a,. ...,t.t 49,. A.. .At. ,...t...
evening by the kitchen stove. II was
not often that mother worried about
money matters. and she soon forgot.
4 week later Mr.. and Mrs. Gage
were sitting ~ their late breakfast
The table was ~; with the blue china
they used for the past 30 years. the
pewter castor. the sugar bowl Of Gu
ri0us design. the two tined forks.
There came a knock nj the back
door. A man walked In. of keen, bust
nesslike appearance.
Thought twas most likely I'd find
you IN the kitchen" he announced.
ats the best room In the house now
Amt ~ always love a Kitchen
lie looked about the room.
Il do love old things! You've got a
lot 81 'cm. That old blue china. now.
I'm interested In that. Must be quite
oldi Yes. thought so. And this pew
ter These chalrs-you must have had
EN-"
"FIfty.hv years." Mrs. Gage boast.
ed.
"Ah, That's long time-and this
sidehoard ever think OF selling 'emr'
Mrs Gage flushed. "They amt worth
much. Where could we sell 'emr'
Tell you what" the man considered.
II do n little In that line myself. just
collecting, you see. few old things
like yours. might find something
here. Now. II you wanted little
money. twould come In handy. We
might make some kind Of n bargain.
You emit use all this stun"
mo. It's In the way" Mrs. Gage an
sworcd. hut her husband said nothing.
"rll give you two dollars apiece for
those chairs he offered.
"oh. will your" she gasped. lou
can have email OF 'em. We don't
need EN-"
"And the sldebcard-rn give you $50
for that"
Airs. Gage could hardly believe her
ears Her things were worth some
thing. They would he rich'
The sale continued. The man went
from attic 20 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 take this truck
cut 81 your way"
They had come 10 the big fourposter
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 H."
$50 they have. father" Somehow.
money didn't look 50 important TO her
now. 1--WE won't let that go"
"And the crib. mother-he's taking
that our first baby that died slept In
that"
Tears were In the woman's eyes.
"IIe can't have that" she cried.
Airs. Cages feelings were beginning
to change Things were very precious
To her now. II would be like parting
with the children over again to let
these 20. one by one they went ovei
the things the man had set aside, Each
one had dear associations. Even the
Kitchen chairs had priceless memories
of Thanksgiving and festivals; the
Sideboard. where the little ones had
been measured. each year coming up
little nearer 10 the top. where the
tempting fruit was displayed. I'VE
can't spare one ." mother decided.
How could she have thought 10 let
them got The old china. her mothers.
No one would prize IL as she did.
1--WE won't let him have EN-" wills
pered her husband. taking her hand.
The stranger spoke. Here's your
money. madam. I'm In a hurry"
She faced him. Il don't want your
money. The things are ours. You can't
have one % EN-"
Mr.. aud Mrs. Gage sat down by the
Kitchen stove. lie stroked his wife's
49, a.fsl.s a..f .aah "a ar