Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-15

in the corner, but wondering a little that she,
who was such neat housekeeper, would allow
any part Of the farm to be disorderly
At supper that night she suddenly broke the
silence WITH you'd like to go to college,
wouldn't you, HenTy?"
"Oh, gee yes" exclaimed, "but there's no
chance of me dom that. If can work my
way through high school, I'll be dom we'll"
you'll go to high school this FALL she
answered, land when you're through, I'll send
you to college You're smart, Henry, and you
have been good to me-"
I couldn't speak couldn't eat. The Won
der Of 1t! She seemed not to expect any graft
tude from me- but after the dishes we're washed
managed to say:
"I'n never forget this. I'll never forget you.
Td-Id die for you"
That's all right, Henry" she answered q
little shortly. But she patted my arm, and I
knew she was pleased at my show of gratitude,
even If it did embarrass her.
She made no effort to leave the farm. This
was puzzlng when knew that for years past
she had wanted to leave it. mentioned going
away to her. Some time-some time, not
now" Her face quivered as she reached for
her handkerchief.
Then came another excitement for the coun-
tryside!
Coal had been discovered on a neghboring
farm, and the vein was sure to run under the
johnson land. An Eastern corporation had
offered big price for it. Mrs. johnson seemed
startled out of her usual calm. She refused to
sell. IF wait can get more for it," she told
me. This seemed rather like a stubborn streak
in her since I knew that she had no deep
rooted love for the place. On the contrary,
she hated it. 1t had been her husbands not
hers.
was then in my third year in high school
and felt myself quite man. I advised her to
sell. "I'll wait till the seven years are up" she
answered every argument, her lips tightly set,
and no other reply could we get from her.
So matters drifted along another year. and
I was graduated. BY this time Mrs. johnson
was putting Sam, my next brother, through the
same school. She spent a great deal Of money
on U.s. Yet she never spent anything on her.
self. She used the same old washboard and
tubs when she could have got an electric ma
chine; she sold the big car and kept the Ford
for her own use, and she dressed more plainly
than ever Not word had been heard of
johnson during the years and the Beauty"
had disappeared.
When four years had passed the lawyer per-
suaded Mrs johnson to lease the coal rights Of
the farm to the corporation. She would rent
the land to the same farmer as heretofore.
"Why not sell it?" I asked. cts home" she
replied. "I'u come blackstone day.
She made out list of errands and sent me
to town. lot of trivial ones they WERE
matching thread, matching colors here, there
and everywhere. was to get some padlocks
for the barn and lean-to, as she had not
rented the buildings with the land did all
the errands as she requested. There was little
enough could do for her after all. she was
doing for Sam and me. Our whole family was
happier on account of her.
I IpoN my return saw that she had been
" packing-all the trunks and boxes in the
store room were open. When I went out she
followed me to the lean-to Here, help me
with this" she suggested, pointing to the tool