The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-23
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was riddle still Benny turned it over. Some
thing that runs" said he, with a mysterious
look. The olfactories proved the best exposi-
tors, and Benny raised his head IN great glee,
all besmeared with mOlssses
That forenoOn's experience was long remem-
bered, by one at least Hat and sunbonnet
were thrown aside; fer Benny said he was a
boy, and browning would DO no hurt-as for
me, guileless then, what cared whether were
black or white
The smallest rakes were laid aside for the
"new banda" as our grandfather iocoseIy
called us; and tie art CT "raking after 4" soon
ceased to be q mystery to us, novices. To be
sure, our little hands were rather red and rather
speckled but, Their, Benny said they would soon
grow tough like Nathan's. childish sic1plicity.
that:) and the fun of treadipg down the sweet
hay, and jolting ever the sill Of the barn, more
than made up for al our ills.
"Our new hands amt so green. after all -
remarked spruce young David to his fellow
mower ~ Tell better arter the news off.D was
the bluff reply ".'he old Clown whispered
Benny, Indignantly. How clever David is. |
mentally calculated.
Alas Nathan's experience proved better
prophet that day, than David's prepossessions.
The Jig rock was an unsafe resting place for
our tired little bodies. Benny was sure grand
father wouldn't care, and his sharp knife
quickly severed the unyielding knot. No gour-
mand ever smacked his bit of turtle-fat with
more gusto than the new hands gulped down
Hannah's cheese aud gingerbread that day.
The keg proved more incorrigible; but Benny
was a practical philosopher, and poised it
nicely on a little stick. IL was lubberly who
turned the scale. Just as the first ducst drop
reached my longing bps, an unlueky stone
slipped. and down went |, with the round stick
and brown kegl
"a sweet bundle you are - into the house,
you little mink" shouted gruff, thirsty Nathan.
Benny was indignant. Touch her if you
dare retorted he, brandishing the aforesaid
round stick in a most formidable manner
But there was no gainsaying the import Of
grandfather's lowered eyebrows, and we idled
away gloomy afternoon in the old farm
house.
That night, when had left Benny sobbing
10 his little bedroom, and found myself in the
dark east chamber, somehow the furnishings
Of that room took on fantastic shapes the
curtains grew black, and waved to and fro :
the oaken chest Of drawers doomed into a great
giant, while fitting forms seemed to rustic
round me. | forgot to say my little prayer
thai night and somehow had, in the morn
ing I halfreal, half-uncertain recollection of
dDOub d QtcI 0OlC anu nLtle
Benny
The next day my grandfather seemed kinder
than usual, old Nathan less gruf, and clever
David handsomer than ever.
The two weeks passed quickly by The
brown envelope had become saturated; a new
handle had been put to the little keg, and pay
day had come Nathan and David deposited
in their greasy, wellworn wallets their hard
earned gains; Benny and | each clespcd in our
brown hands bright silver dollar The old
market wagon stood at the door; my grand
fathers hand again trembled, and Benny de-
clared there was 4 tear in his sharp, gray eve
Was there no anxious weight on his loving
heart whispered no messenger of i'll omen in
his ear
The gate closed behind US, and in childish
thoughtlessnes5 we only looked back once, to
see the rough sleeve drawn across the aged and
tear-bedimned eyes of our grandfather. Be
fore the harvest lights had gone cut, or the
purple and gold had faded from the autumn
forests, that gate opened again very wide, TO
let in little Benny the dim kitchen echoed
once more to the tread of tiny feet and new
voices; but the sounds were sad and low