I would not, now I would expiate
that by blistering my bare head in the sun if I could. To this day
I weep to think of grieving so noble a parent.
My mother was a very handsome woman. My father was what you
might call good looking. I was very anxious to look like him; used to
try to wear off my teeth on the right side, because his were worn off.
About two years before he died, he came to Texas to visit me. I was
then in the hotel business. During the first meal he ate at the hotel,
he looked up and seeing me waiting on the table, he got up and began
waiting on the table himself. I had to work very hard then and it was
a grief to him to have no means to give me. One morning he came into
my room while I was dressing and said: "Daughter, I have not slept
all night for thinking of you. The last thing last night was you in the
kitchen and the first thing this morning. I have always hoped to have
something to leave you, and it is such a grief to me that I can not help
you. Carry, it seems the Lord has been so hard on you." I said:
"No, Pa; I thank God for all my sorrows. They have been the best for
me, and don't you worry about not leaving me money, for you have left
me something far better." He looked up surprised and said: "What is
it?" I answered: "The memory of a father who never did a dishonorable
act." My father's eyes filled with tears, and after that he seemed to
be happier than I had ever seen him; everything seemed to go right.
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