Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-30
THE EVENING STORY

in a half-puzzled way. She whisked
1t round and round. 1t was so nice
and new and shiny. Such pity that
she had no use for it. She wished she
could sell things, but If bright young
thing like Rachel Mayhem failed, how
could she hope to succeed?
+ When things get just as bad as
they can be-" she tried to chant, but
her voice gave out because there was
such a tightness in her throat
Next morning Horace sneaked away
from home. He came back looking sc
wilted that Eliza was frightened.
"Old man, tell where you've been
and what you've been doing?" she de
manded.
We'll, I got a ride to town and
back" Horace confessed. I've been
trying to get me a job. But they
don't peg shoes now the way ! was
taught" He paused. II tried to sell
the house here to Fletcher. He said
1t was only an old heap of junk
ITS home, our home" cried Eliza
We've lived here for forty odd years
together. You've lived here all your
life. and your father and grandfather
before you. DO you remember the day
we got married and you brought me
iiCIC, iioiIN' ttdu plHk IlDDoflS oIl
my white hat. How my heart beat.
Id never had home before. 1t meant
everything to met does yet"
you've been fine wife, Eliza And
you'd have been a fine mother If the
twins had lived"
They'd have been 80 years old
unused Eliza softly. Married, OF
course, with children. Did you ever
think of 1t. Horny? I guess one in.
vestment more or less wouldn't have
mattered if our boys had lived--well
/ guess you better have bit of some.
thing to eat. Mrs. Whitcomb brought
over a big bowl of stew and I've been
waiting for you to come and get your
share
They sat down at the daintily laid
table. Though Eliza's tablecloth was
of coarse, home-woven linen, it was
white as snow. The color came into
HOrace's thin face as he ate.
Mrs. Whitcomb is certainly fine
neighbor," he said appreciatively.
But l guess you're a good neighbor
yourself. That time she was sick so
long. you never left her day or night"
Hello Eliza jumped. A man was
looking in at the open window Sorry
to intrude," he said pleasantly, but
I'd like to see you folks a minute"
Come right inn Eliza sprang up
and opened the door. I'D ask you to
dinner, but she glanced at the
empty bowls.
I've had lunch. thanks. Mrs. Pot
ter, have you mate to that vase you
gave Rachel Mayhem yesterday"
YES" Eliza got the vase from the
sitting room shelf. He examined it
carefully.
10, I,ix "a
Rachel Mayhem came to our house
selling eggbeaters. She showed my
wife this vase. We keep an antique
shop. Here's my card. My wife tried
to buy the vase, but the girl said you
gave it to her for keepsake and she
wouldn't part with 1t. She said you
had another like 1t. SO l thought I'd
drive over here and see if you'd sell it
BY the way, your house seems to be
full Of quaint old things. This chair
now-that table you are eating lunch
from-that tablecloth, those dishes
that clock. If you want to sell any OF
these things, Ill give you the best
prices for them"
Eliza told Horace afterward that she
came near topplin over. But Horace
was up on his crutch fairly shouting
Take you pick of anything we've got
That very afternoon truck came
| and carried away almost every article
| of furniture the house contained. The
decrepit chairs. the battered tables. the
hooked rugs were replaced by the new
| bright things Eliza had always longed
| for. And tucked in Horaces purse
was a check that meant for him a
fnended hip and for them both secur
ity against any number Of rainy days
in the future.
Rachel Mayhem came to see them
| In their new comfort. She was work
| ing for the antique dealers wife and
looked plump and hopeful
That eggbeater of yours whipped
up a lot OF luck for us ALL" Eliza said
as she poured tea from her new tea
pot. I've heard of folks starving in
the midst of plenty, but I never
dreamed that was the way with Hor'
ace and me. Still, it's just as I've
always said: When things get just as
bad as they can be they can't get any
worse, so they're bo6nd to get better
(Copyrisht. 1927