The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-02-14
SOME
WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY
MENDING
y
&c by d. J. Walsh.)

((Y'LL take the pineapple carved
bedstead," said Anne, the old
est, who had posted herself
on the value of antiquities.
"Mine's the bookcase" followed
Philomena briefly.
"My choice is the set Of haircloth
furniture"
"I'll have the tall clock"
And so on to, swell, may as well
choose the sideboard."
Anne frowned a little at that. The
sideboard was so cracked and discol-
ored she did hope none of them would
give it a second glance. On her tour
for information among the antique
stores she had seen a sideboard just
like that, just as bruised, just as dis
reputable. And it's tag had been
marked with three figures. of which
the first was not a 81"
''Ill take the blue willow pattern
set of Dishes" she shifted.
'But Dorothy hasn't picked yet"
spoke up one of the cousins.
'Oh, never mind me-" smiled Doro-
thy. "Just leave me out few things
to remember him BY"
Grandfather had been dead only
three days. They had all come home
for vacation and he had died during
the visit. He had made no will, for,
apparently there wasn't much except
the old furniture. He had once said
for them to divide it to suit them
selves, or they knew what they liked
better than he could guess. SO they
were dividing it now, to save expense
of coming down again. The others
were thinking of making as good
choices pecuniarily as possible. Doro-
thy was thinking of the old man she
loved.
Suppose we call the kitchen chairs
one of Dorothy's 'picks'," said one of
the cousins amusedly. "She wants
things to remind her of him, and he
was forever whiting in one of the
straight backs or smoking in the old
rocker"
sit seems a shame that Dorothy
picked out such poor stuff" comment
ed a more conscientious cousin as
they. trooped back to the kitchen.
sand she is going to get married next
month. too. Whatever will Jack Ellis
think Of those straight backs and the
rocker and the rest of the mess! /
can see his laughing eyes grow sol
emn at the sight of them"
A month later Dorothy and Jack
were married and went to live in
little flat by themselves near where
Jack was working as an assistant
bookkeeper. The old chairs were put
in the kitchen and the few other
things that had been assigned to Dor
othy were placed in various parts of
the house. Jack bought actual neces-
sites in furniture on installments.
They couldn't buy much on Jacks
small salary.
But Jack was ingenious with tools
and most of his evenings were de-
voted to tinkering in the kitchen. Soon
useful bits of furniture began to ap-
pear, much to Dorothy's pleasure and
contentment.
The next day was their wedding
anniversary. Jack tinkered around a
little, looking solemn. mo present at
all for you, DEAR" he said ruefully.
81 have tried to think of some way
without mourning debt and you know
what you pinned me down to-"
Dorothy few to his side and put
her arms around his neck.
II have you. jack" she whispered,
''that's all want. And not one cent
of debt. You agreed"
A little later she noticed Jack eye
ing the old chairs speculatively.
would it-er-hurt your feelings
any if should paint and varnish 'em
up little?" he asked doubtfully.
'No.. indeed, Jack. They're dear old
chairs. but ! think the clumsy strips
screwed behind the rounds are per-
fectly hideous. I've been wondering
If couldn't fix cushions or something
high enough on the bottoms to hide
the strips"
STRIKES me there's something fun
ny about it, anyhow" muttered Jack,
opening knife and beginning to prod
at the lower end of a round. Seven
chairs with almost every last round
worn off at the seat and needing a
strip four times larger than necessary
to keep them in place. And the strips
are not planned or smoothed, either.
Yet I've always considered your
grandfather a very neat workman.
Funny" again as the blade point went
from round to round. every one off
just below the woods edge and evil
IDENTIFY sawed. Say. Dorothy, believe
can take off the strips. clean out the
holes. drive down the back with a
mallet so the rounds will go deeper
into the holes. with little glue to
persuade EN- to stay. and then paint
and varnish the chairs till they will
be about as good as new"
He went to work energetically and
In few minutes the chair back was
lifted. disclosing the four middle me-
Diminished holes and the two outside