The Glenwood post., 1924-01-17
The Straw
Mattress
By ELLA SAUNDERS



"a. 1874. Western Newspaper Union.)
M RS. ALLERDYCE came into Bes-
~'~ sie's room and sniffed around. It
was shabby little garret in the big
Allerdyce house. but then anything
was good enough for Bessie.
Bessie" she said, I'm going to
let you have Joan's old mattress.
We're getting a new one. You can
throw that old straw thing away"
'Thank you, Cousin Janet" answered
Bessie meekly.
Bessie was the poor relation who
filed the role of servant in the Aller-
dyce house. She was thirty-nine, and
had worked for her cousin for 12
years, ever since her uncle's death.
Uncle Jim Allerdyce-he was really
a cousin-had adopted Bessie in child
hood. She had taken care Of him in
his infirmity, and every one expected
he would leave her everything. But
no. will was found, and SO Cousin Janet,
who was real niece, inherited every
thing.
1t was generally agreed that 1t was
very good of Cousin Janet to have
given home to the friendless girl,
with $40 month for herself. OF
course a maid would have cost much
more, but then Bessie was a relation.
tion, stayed on without a particle of
ill-feeling.
She was one of those unselfish per-
sons who live in others. She lived in
Cousin Janet and Cousin John, and
was proud of the display they made
with the Allerdyce money that should
have been hers. Then there was
James at college, and Eva, who was
social leader among the younger
set In the town. Bessie often thought
what a mercy 1t was that there had
been no will. She wouldn't have
known what to do with the money
herself, and she was every whit as
well off as when her uncle was alive.
And then she was treated almost az
one Of the family. and sat down to
her meals with them, except when
there was company.
The heavy straw mattress would
have to be dragged out to the back
lot and burned. Bessie laid hold of
1t and pulled 1t from the bed.
The rotten tick broke, pile Of
straw issued. Packed into the straw
was piece of paper. Bessie took 1t
up and stood staring at 1t.
1t was Jim Allerdyce's will, made 10
years before, and 1t left her every
thing.
The house, the lot, and capital
Of some $4,000. Bessie stood star
ing at 1t in dismay. She was not a
stupid girl; she knew what a will
was; she knew Uncle Jim's signature
and she saw that it was properly at
tested.
She let the mattress fall and stood
staring at the paper in her hand. 1t
meant freedom, wealth, ease. hus-
band.
Bessie would let that part of 1t go, but
she would have to refund IL years in
terest on the money.
John Allerdyce had not done a
stroke of work since his wife had in
herited the money. What would hap
pen to him and Cousin Janet? And
James at college, and Eva?
1t was horrifying. The thought of
1t overcame her She stood staring
at the paper in her hand, as If 1t were
her death-warrant.
"Bessie" Cousin Janet's harsh
voice echoed up the stairs. "Why don't
you take that old mattress down, as
told you?"
Swiftly Bessie thrust back the In
eliminating paper into the straw.
Then, taking the mattress upon her
sturdy shoulders, she dragged 1t out
of the room and down the stairs.
Mercy, you've let that straw get
all over the place!" cried Cousin Janet
peevishly "Take 1t out in the lot
and burn it, for goodness sake!"
Toiling and struggling, Bessie got
the mattress out of the house and to
the back lot She laid 1t carefully in
the open and struck match. The
straw began to flare. She plucked out
the will and stood looking at 1t.
A great column of smoke arose, then
the whole mattress was ablaze. With
sudden resolution Bessie threw on the
will and watched II burn to atoms
She was very happy. Her uncle had
not forgotten her. II he had not died
10 suddenly all would have been diff
fsrent.
Cousin Janet's harsh voice aroused
her from her meditations:
"Bessie! Bessie! Don't stand star
ing there. It will burn without your
watching 1t. Hurry and get that mess
cleared up from the stairsw
spoken Word Rscaptured.
Some old boys at the club were dis
cnaainn tho dfflcultiea MagRinG tongues