The Argosy, June 1904 — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BEFORE HER MIRROR. departed—the loan of our cemetery lot! Might he not lay his angel wife under the shadow of our monument until such time as he could raise enough money to take her back to her old Iowa home? He had noticed, such were the in- scrutable dealings of Providence, that there was every likelihood of the lot’s being unoccupied by its owners for years. For this dispensation we ought to be thankful and loan a bit of the ground to such as had not been kindly dealt with. IT loaned it. When the doctor heard my story he whistled hard, and went to the barn. He has done that for twenty years when he has wanted to say unbecoming words to me. As though it were not painful to me to have my dear lot desecrated by strangers! I felt so badly that I could not go to the funeral, and in the south window turned my chair that I might not see the granite shaft. Still, even the doctor softened a lit- tle in the matter when the youngest Turner followed her mother in less than a month—and followed her to our lot, too, pending the time they both should be taken West. I became positively mellow in the matter when a cold snap carried the second daughter to our lot in four months. And when the third and last child died and rested beside the others, the doctor himself headed a subscrip- 54] tion paper with which I burdened my- self. I remember the snow was deep that week, and I had a cold, but I traveled miles with the paper. People gave liberally, because they all knew of our wnfortunate connection with the Turners. Many gave with the express understanding that Mr. Turner would use the money to send the pres- ent inhabitants of our lot to lowa. He received the money with thanks and blessings, and sent West the only member of his household that had es- caped our lot. The blow fell on us unexpectedly one morning at the breakfast table. A neighbor flew in and exclaimed wildly, did we know what use Turner had made of his gift money? T arose and ran to the south window, expecting to see men with spades and pickaxes at work on the ridge. I was re- called by the neighbor’s voice. I remember every tone now. Mr. Turner had departed for the West, bag and baggage, on his wedding tour! He had kindly left to Mount Alva his debts and reputation, and to us his defunct family—but not his future address. There on the ridge hes our lot. In the midst stands the stately shaft bear- ing the single word “Turner.” Grouped at its foot are three of the name. There is room for just one more grave, and the doctor says that as soon as he ean find “the rascal” that va- cancy will be filled! BEFORE HER MIRROR. I pAUSE before her mirror and reflect— (That’s what the mirror does, I take it, too) Reflect how little it has known neglect, And think, ah! Mirror, would that I were you. She has no secrets that you do not know, You and this crescent box of poudre de rose, And even these long curling-irons can show Much evidence of use, yet naught disclose. Here when she smiles you know it is her teeth She’s putting to the test ere she depart For the gay revel on the lawn beneath, Or moonlight ramble that may break a heart. Here she may blush until she, red as wine, Knows that her triumphs have not ceased to be. Here when she frowns (and looks still more divine) You know, wise Mirror, that she thinks of me. PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG COL! Tom Hall. OO ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED CO