The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-01-16

YOU always come hack - pick Il
~ lust In time. Al least | Do
Nvn always noticed
POP had a button of his vest
Vow vas the Woman m the
family and that sort Of thing vas
I'd 10 me-. He always put any but
tons that fell off IN the old pink
and gilt moustsohe cup on the left
end Of the kitchen shelf eN-
pected 70 find plenty Of them. and
was right Macs been sewing
on buttons for me" he said. but
he figures every other one is
enough"
The house Was pretty dusty but
old Myrtle had done job Of clean
ing IN my room. could smell hot
shingles on the roof. same as al
WAYS. and there was the little mar
row window over the side entry
that gave me glimpse ont on the
street. And the old faded photo
graph Of Mother when she was
still a young lady IN Germantown
before she married into Frankfort.
That's quite gulf, II you don't
know il.
That little strip Of window was
what ! used 10 look At when
woke up mornings as a kid. The
old wooden bed. with stats. was
set so I could Just see through 1t.
There wasn't any blind on that
window it wasn't a real window.
just pane let into a jog in the
wall was waiting for Mother
10 come and call me 10 get dressed.
II was a nice safe feeling. Now
couldn't quite feel that way
again. Mother was gone. and
was sort Of, split mp between
Frankfort and Manitou. and Pop
was getting old and a bit queer.
just for moment. as | unpacked
my suitcase, and that's queer
feeling. If you stop to think about
It. the way things change their
meaning while they so travelling,
the train I'd been on seemed the
only real thing ! had. was rum
maging to get out Pops ashtray
and sorry because hadn't thought
to bring anything for Mac or
Myrtle and I wanted to cry. I
think that was one Of the first
times ! didn't understand myself.
Maybe I never will. Maybe it's
better not to I heard old Pop
fighting TO get upstairs. hanging
onto the banister and cursing: 1t
took him so long to crab-walk up
that ] got my eyes smoothed out
and had his present ready for him.
Come to think Of il, kid of four
teen can be pretty good actress
I couldn't do it now: once you
let the flood go over the dam you
never get back that tight holding
power.
l think as matter Of fact poor
old Pop was lonely TO see some
female fixings He was pleased
once when | called him a softshel
crab He WAS just learning to let
down his armor. He took a quick
look al the picture Of Mother on
the dresser and then back at me
My trunk was there already. Uncle
sent il by express in advance. and
Pop sat and watched me unpack
You can usually tell the way =
mans mind is running by what ne
pretends 10 make fun Of I was
proud Of some new summer
dresses Aunt Hattie and picked
out at the Mode in Paris which
was Manitou's big number for
Girls and Misses. Pop saw the
labels. Il suppose that means
Paris. Illinois He was tickled to
death To see clothes again. but
what ne said was: when look
al young gals and think Of al the
crazy things they're going to have
TO wear before they get through
! wonder they have the courage TO
grow up"
Pop lay down to get some rest.
and Strengthened up my stuff
and then ] talked to Myrtle on the
back steps while she cut string
beans. We had Myrtle on fun time
now. ! was glad, Id been worry
! ing maybe Id have 10 do the cook
ing. ! gave Myrtle a fun blast
about the Middle West. because tai