The rag carpet which for years had done duty, and bore many traces of Richard's muddy boots, had been exchanged for a new ingrain--not very pretty in design, or very stylish either, but possessing the merit of being fresh and clean.

To get the carpet Melinda had labored assiduously, and had enlisted all three of the brothers, James, and John, and Andy in the cause before the economical mother consented to the purchase.

The rag carpet, if cleaned and mended, was as good as ever, she insisted; and even if it were not, she could put on one that had not seen so much actual service.

It was Andy who finally decided her to indulge in the extravagance urged by Melinda Jones.

There were reasons why Andy was very near to his mother's heart, and when he offered to sell his brown pony, which he loved as he did his eyes, his mother yielded the point, and taking with her both Mrs.Jones and Melinda, went to Camden, and sat two mortal hours upon rolls of carpeting while she decided which to take.
Mrs.Markham was not stingy with regard to her table; that was always loaded with the choicest of everything, while many a poor family blessed her as an angel.