New Britain herald., 1926-09-01

How she used to work! She was
 always up at seven or before, and
 by S:30 she had the rooms all to
 rights and the ammonia-water on
 the woodwork and every little tas-
 sel on the mats and drapes laid
 even. She loved housework. Well, I was telling how my mother had me by the hand, look
 ing for rooms. I remember we turned down Carman street and she saw a sign, and we went in the basement door at No. 49 to ask. There was a nice woman who lived downstairs with a family of grown up children, and she showed us the rooms upstairs, and my mother said:
 Well, I guess it's the best I can do. I'll try to make them nice" And l piped up and said I'd help her. They both laughed at me.
 It wasn't comfortable house but Mother made 1t comfortable and attractive, but now the home isn't attractive and it isn't com fortable because Mother isn't there. Things have gone to pieces things that Mother loved. My fath- CT put in gas-pipes himself. There isn't any plumbing in the house. only cold water, and no bathroom at all: it's just like the country. In winter we have coal stoves.
 When the loof leaked, Mother used to keep after the landlady un- til she fixed it. but now there seems to be no one to get things fixed and the roof leaks and the paper in our living room is all spotted.
 Mother used to hate to have things out of order
 Even in then ouse we lived fin before we came to Carman street. when l was almost a baby, Mother was always trying to fix things up. l don't see how l can remember as far back as that, but I distinct ly recall hearing her say one day in that positive way she had:
 Well, I'm discouraged and dis gusted! If the landlord doesn't make those repairs, I simply won't pay the rent and if there's any fuss. we'll move and that's all there is to it."
 That made an impression on me. paoy as l was. l crept downstairs to where the landlady lived. She mad always been very nice to me and used to take me in her arms and pet and love me. When she reached for me this time, I pulled away, looking as cross as two sticks. She spoke to me, and I l turned my face from her.
 Why, Baby. whatever's the mat ter with you? Don't you love me any more, Sharlie?"
 "No,' I snapped, with my nose hVe inches in the air, and we're | going 10 move out and sting YOU A months rent for not fixing the pipes"
 She laughed, but she went right upstairs to Mother and asked what It was all about - said she didn't 1 want us 10 move, and where did that child get the notion things weren't going to be fixed and any, oody was going to be "stung for rcnt?"
 It ended in q friendly talk and sne promised to repair the pipes, 1 Mother said afterwards:
 You were a naughty baby all right - but I guess if it hadn't been for you, wen ever would have got the pipes fixed"
 So thought I was pretty smart !
 guess it was over a year after i that when we came to the Carman street house where we still live Alter a little while my brother was porn.
 was four then. I used tosrun n 10 see the people next door - aWfully kind people. l always call ,d them Aunt Mil and Uncle Gus because l heard the folks in the Io"nstairs part of our house call hem that; they were relations of helrs' and very nice, too, and nade a great pet of me, so Of ,ourse l loved them. They Were Nunt Nils nieces and nepbews lie girls used to save me candies -nd pieces of cake and their boy rlends would bring me little pres 'hts. l remember a ring and a lecklace and bracelet. Oh. how I owed and treasured them.
 Mother never had any jewelrv. but
 often heard her say she didn't care or lit didn't suit her" She ol- avs wore the plainest things. AL avs tailored suits that she made efself; and plain velour hats; and
 certain kind of oxford ties with road ribbons in them and low heels.
 She had very small feet and some- mes late7 on, when l was old nough 10 think about such things. used to wonder how Mother would
 ''i fi iNttf' ii-IlttItu SllOGS and | TX stockings and dressed up. Even !: CT summer dresses were straight nd plain.
 For while after Dan was born. other was quiet and depressed. ather was crazy about Dan from le first. He was a good baby and other used 10 look at him some mes as if she was thinking hard. hen she'd snatch him up and hug m and make a great fuss. Some mes l thought she loved him more an she did me, but she said no. it as only that sl. felt more sad when was born than when I was, and ie wanted to do the best she could
 make up for her not wanting him. In spite of her love for Danny, Id her watchfulness, he was always
 some trouble. He had so many falls and things. One very Id one when he stumbled into a 'iler of hot W; ter and was terribly aided. Mother took it tragically ] ooI