The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-14

her busting out and in, for we could do moth
ing but look at her house
At last it was time to get ready, and at last
it was time 10 GO We had on our best dresses
and shoes, and were about az happy as chill
dren can be.
Aunt Caty had on her black silk dress,
which we never knew her to wear before, ex-
cept TO funerals; and when the cap was crimp-
ed, and she put that on, too we thought Mrs.
Flagg herself could not look finer. 10 the front
room all was in nice order two wax candles
were burning at once, and three pots of red
and yellow chrysanthemums stood on the table
in full bloom. On the snowy cover of the stand
lay the Bible and hymn book the settee had
new chintz cushion, and the rocking chair; the
homemade carpet had been carefully swept,
and looked almost as well as new the brass
andirons were secured white, and far out over
the snow and through the white cu..ains Of
tie wihaaows shone the red freight. But the
kitchen, after ALL was . The lest attractive place
for there two tables were set together and over
them were spread two of the finest linen table
cloths Aunt Caty had the blue dishes and the
white handled knives and forks were in use !;
and there was the roast turkey, and the minced
pies, and the custard, and great pound.cake,
peoiueS many otnor hoo sniDBs shae uOh to
member
The tea-kettle was steaming by the fire, and
the bright tin coffee pot was on the Goals, and
the blue teapot close beside.
Before seven o'clock, all who had been in
vited were there-all joking, and laughing,
and happy.
Only ior minute the mirth grew still, when
the door opened, and Oliver, limping on his
crutoh, came in. He was smiling, but he looked
| sad for all and when his Aunt Flagg went
forward and said, "Why, Oily, is it you 2" and,
| kissing her cheek he answered, ayes, what
there Is left of me, " some of us wiped our eyes,
remember
But smiles followed quick upon the tears for
just behind him came Nancy, leaning on the
arm OF DIR. Livingston. They were married
and when Oliver whispered to his Aunt Flagg
that Nancy had already washed the faces Of
the little Liyingstons, and made them new
dresses, she said that better girl could not
have done it.
need not linger over that happy night-yo,
can imagine it. will only say that Mr.. Flag
actually kissed the cheek of Nancy, and calle'
her cousin, and that Mrs Flagg whispered Il
him that Aunt Caty might want little NOR
silver for the supper, and that he could brinl
L
| Of course they were brought and grea
dish of honey beside, though Aunt Caty hat
enough without it.
Mrs. Flagg tied on an apron, and poured the
coffee at one end of the table, while Aunt Caty
served the tea ut the other.
True to his promise, John told Oliver never
to ride Sultan again, while he slipped into his
hand q pretty book of pictures and stories
which his father had given him at Christmas.
divers uncle sent him to college, and he
became fine scholar, but of all the things
that he was able to do, he preferred to teach
the village school, and TO live with Aunt Caty
and tend flowers, and read books which he
does to this day, for aught know.
This lifelong affection might have been pre-
vented, if all had been as kindly considerable
before its occurrence as afterward; but the
rainbow comes in clouds, and good feeling
spring out Of disaster.