Year: 1874

There is an old clock up in the


garret, one of those tall, old-fashion-
ed, three -cornered structures. Itwas


my mothers clock, given her by my
grandmother. Having served its


three score years and ten right faith


fully, and now that its weary wheels
and pendulum have refused to per


form with their past correctness, it


has been stored away up in the dusky
attic, where the spiders have woven a


tangled roof over the faded, wrinkied


face. To me, it Is as the greeting of
of an old friend, for it was the first
object that riveted my baby attention


| remember of my mother often hold
ing me in her arms and opening the


great door, to show me the steady


movement of the great tongue, and


once when was sick she touched a
secret wire, and the old clock struck
before its time for my amusement
always held that special piece OF
| furniture in reverential awe; now 1t


has been stored away to give place to
one Of bronze and gold. The hands
are locked together, as if folded in
their everlasting rest; the weights
have both run down, and are lying
ON their rusty sides; the cords are
broken, as break the threads Of our


mortal lives; the figures or the dial


plate are hardly discelnible; the door
l5s-swine;pg or one OF is hinges; the
lower part, in which was looking
glass, and the upper, on which was
painted a vase Of flowers, have been
broken, and only 4 piece here and
there remains; one Of the feet has
cone unglued, and YEARLY the whole
framework leans against the friendly


wall for support Dear old time
piece; many and many time have
YOU moved our hearts with a sudden
thrill, as leisurely YOU plodded on
your steady course. How restlessly
did nv mother, when maiden, turn
to know Of YOU how long would be


the time until the coming Of her low
er; how nervously on her bridal day


did She see your slender finger point
ing to the hour that WAS to bring
that lover to her side, to be parted no


more forever. Then, yearatte- year,
how many times We're those sweet,


patient eyes turned upon you, that
dinner might be ready just at twelve
and supper served at six. You never


failed her, dear old friend of former
DAYS. sad relic of past shade and sun


shine. Your place in the household


was no minor one; we were directed
bv your firm hand in all our occupa-
lions. To school, from school, to
play and TO study, my mother found
i, pleasant delight to be guided by
YOU. and | was Ted by her wise will
and counsel. shall never forget


the time when my father was TO re-
turn 10 us after long voyage over
the sea. He wrote he would be home


at seven in the evening. Ny gentle,
/ loving mother busted herself prepar
| inc a welcome feast, and at each lit


tie leisure, between the baking OF
each oven full of marvellous buns,


she would pause to look how long it


wculd be until the coming Of the old
stage-coach, and every time she would


say only one hour or thirty or


"twenty' minutes. as the time drew
nearer. The table was spread with


its snowy cloth, the fine old blue
edged china was placed on the white


surface, a print of yellow butter, a


goodly array OF jel.ies, preserves, and
sweet meats, q homemade cheese,


and pot of home brewed beer, and


on the hearth, in the open ovens,


stood smoking the delicate, savOry


chicken, the loaf of white bread and


the sweet brown buns As the ap-
pointed time drew near, and all things


made ready for the coming of the


one so dear to US, my mother stood


before the little mirror in the clock


door, arranging her hair with unusual


care, twining here and there through


the silvery threaded tresses, for


get me-not, or pansy. and, as if for


an apology to me, she said, "Willie,


these are the flowers | wore when


your father first saw me, and this


evening | could not resist wearing


these little emblems of 10y early


love-" There was happy expires


sion on her face as she spoke, an ex-


preston l shall never forget; for Is


she stood there, looking upa me with


that sweet smile playing around her


beautiful mouth, saw a deathly pal


lor o'erspread her face, and | knew


IN an instant it was an attack Of the


heart disease, with which she had


been afflicted for years. | caught


her in my arms and kissed the purp-
H.. IT, ,,l:io ,loodipfIl,- turned