Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-10-12
ANTIQUES
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON


feeble. They're growing Old" folks
said Of them. Dir. 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've got more things than we need,
father" she observed.
1--WE needed EN- 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 l remember; nigh onto so
years, amt it?"
"Fifty-five, father" she corrected.
''That sof We're gettin' old, but we
amt 0utgrown each other, if things
have wore out a bit" he chuckled, a
twinkle in his eye.
'SThem chairs cost a heap o. money"
she went on. If we'd a put it in the
bank we'd have something to live on
now"
''An' there's the sideboard, she con-
tinued. "We paid SO for that, an
faint mite o. good to US now"
"But it has been o use, mother" he
protested.
"An' all the parlor things she con-
tinued Eve don't use 'em. We don't
have no occasion to go into the parlor
now"
They settled down to their quiet
evening by the kitchen stove. 1t 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 50 years, the
pewter castor, the sugar bowl of Gu
rious design, the two-tined forks
There came a knock at the back
door. A man walked in, of keen, BUSH
nesslike appearance.
Thought twas most likely I'd find
you in the Kitchen" he announced.
'Tt's the best room in the house, now
amt it2 ] always love kitchen =
He looked about the room.
Il do love old things You've got a
lot of EN-. That old blue china, now.
I'm interested in that. Must be quite
old7 Yes, thought so. And this pew
ter! These chairs-you must have had
'em-"
"Fifty-five years." Mrs. Gage boast
ed.
"Ahl That's long time-and this
sldeboard- think of selling 'em?"
Mrs. Gage flushed. "They amt worth
much. Where could we sell 'em?"
"Tell you what" the man considered.
Il do little in that line myself. just
collecting. you see, few old things
like yours. / might find something
here. Now, If you wanted a little
money, 'twould come in 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, but her husband said nothing.
''Tll 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 'en."
''And the sideboard-Pll give you $50
for that"
Mrs. Gage could hardly believe her
ears Her things we're worth some
thirg. They would be RIGHT
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 take 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,
"y0u 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. 1--WE won't let that CO."
"And the GRID, moCner-neS taxing
that Our first baby that died slept in
that"
Tears were in the woman's eyes.
s'He can't have thatr' she cried.
Mrs. Cages feelings were beginning
to change. Things were very precious
to her now. It would be like parting
with the children over again to let
these go. One by one they went owe:
the things the man had set aside. Each
one had dear associations. Even the
kitchen chairs had priceless memories
of Thanksgiving and festivals; the
sldeboard, 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 to let
them go? The old china, her mothers.
No one would prize 1t as she did.
ave won't let him have 'em," whis
pered her husband, taking her hand.
The stranger. spoke. Here's your
money. madam I'm ia hurry"