The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-12-21


tho thoughtful little Abby Norman, "w
might rip the quill, from tho frames an
send il as i, is. We can roll up the pattern
land some strips for the binding, and Mag
lsie can put il in The frames and quilt
out.n
Grandma Neal unused moment, and III
young girls waited impalienily 10 learn wit
what favor she would regard The proposi
lou. .. ..-
"No, Abby she said n, last, Z" !, woul'
hot be best. Maggie has only one small
room, and il is kitchen, parlor, bedroom
battery, cellar and all. How could sh'
have quilt about so long, and such quilt
would be ruined with smoke and dus
before she could possibly quilt il out. Be-
sdes she has all she can do with her house
work. and her winter sewing, I dare say
" But she could invite neighbors 10 assis
her"
"She has no neishbors, poor thing
within three miles, and il she had they
would have work enough Of their own,
have no doubt. No candidly believe il i
best 10 wait till spring, aud may be il vii
be jus, rs acceptable to her then as now
The girls acquiesced in The old lady's do
cision but went on with their quilting, de-
'ermined 10 complete it all the same as II i
wen 10 be sent as Intended. Their fingers
still aew briskly, but their hearts had grown
suddenly heavy, and few were the joke,
and smiles ,ha, enlivened The hour that in
iervened till tea time. Then Grandfather
Neal and Josiah were admitted 10 share il
the disappointment, and The latter rem ark
ed with laugh that was not very heartfelt,
that itseemed The everlasting Guilt was moi
done with yet.
Alier tea was over the gsls busted them,
selves in assisting Grandma Neal 10 fill the
box designed for Maggie. A mammoth
cheese from her own dairy, well wrapped
and protected, was ! I, the bottom of The box
then large piece Of flannel, n dress pattern
or two, and muslin for pair Of shirts fol
The daring young farmer who had wor
Maggie away from them piece Of cur
tain calico, stockings, dIied beef, dried
peaches, and several ears Of PIP corn.-
Enough, one would imagine, without the
quilt; bu, these were The prose Of The gin
that was TO have been the peOlry; these
were 10 minister 10 bodily needs, tha, wai
TO doligh, the heart! And so Grandma
Neil's tears dropped into the box as she
thought Of the Album quilt that was no
there.
I" don't know what 10 pu, in 10 fll ,ht
space reserved Tor the quilt she said
but there's pair Of pillows lha, wanl,'
her 10 take with her, and she wasn't will
iag, saying would rob myself. Dear soul
'bo was always thinking more Of others in
terests than her own; but can crowt
them in here just as well as not" So ih'
pillows were brought and duly crowded il
but the box lei, unclosed until morning les
as the old lady said she shOuldi,hink Of some
other little notion"
All on sudden the girls went back Il
the quilt, and asked permission 10 lish
three candles. Grandma Neal gave then
leave 10 60 down cellar and &c, just a,
many as they wished, saying however, tha
she though, they ought no, 10 quill, shel
work in the evening for it was very trying
to their eyes, and indeed they had bette
all crack hickory-nu's, and let the quill, &c
till tomorrow.
However they worked necessarily unit
nine O'Clock, and then Grandma Neal wa;
obliged 10 almost drive them from their
chairs saying emphulically that it was ,Oc
bad, that they would ruin their eyes, lha,
they would curve their spines, ,ha, they
would be good for nothing tomorrow, and
that their mothers would never lei them
come again.
Five oi The girls lived within few rod,
Of Mr.. Meals, the remainder from one hal
mile 10 a mile distant. AS the former
wero putting on their things to 90 home,
lille Fanny Grant, who was the oil lady's
special favori;c, and who lived farthcs
away, said coaxingly, wish, Grandma,
you had half dozen spare beds. Then
We who have SO far 10 walk, would sleep
here aud be ready with message for Mag
gle tomorrow morning, when Deacon Bates
makes his appearance.
"Why. dear child" replied The old lady,
smoothing Fanny's ches,nu, locks, "yvu
can stay us well as moi, all Of you. l've
beds cnough-lhere's The large back cham.
Der, ,ha, has three in 1t, besides a single
bed. Then this bedroom"
"oh, no, no." said all q, once, "we
won't tumble this bed, bu, jus, give US the
back chamber, and we'll find sleeping room
and fun TOO, Ill be bound.n
So it was settled that seven should pass
the nigh, there, and Grandma, Neal, aflel
covering the fires, and winding The clock
and charging the girls to go 10 sleep and
not dream of Album quilts all night, re-
tired to her own bedroom at the farther end
Of the long kitchen, and before Ten all was
still in the place.
l said all was still, yet it is true that lii
lie mouse creeping into the parlor abou
ten o'clock, aiier some crumbs OF doughnu
and cheese, which Josiah had dropped In
the evening, did see the whole troop stealth
lily descend the stairs, rake away The Goals
replenlsh the fire from pile OF wood mys
,eriously deoosited in the front yard, and