The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-06-25

fifteen minutes she returned, and Ia her arms
she bore quite little heap Of packages. A
little bundle of -four, package of tea, some
sugar, a small, new tin pail full of milk, and
SO on. Her next movement was to hunt up
the bread. She found loaf Of bakers
bread, and having cut il into slices, she plac
ed it near the fire to'toest. Then she NOV.
ed out the old table, and after the leaves
were raised she inquired for the table cloth.
but the old man had none. But she was
prepared for this, and for more too. In her
trunk she not only found the cloth, but also
a cream pitcher, sugar bowl, and a few 9th
er articles of like description, which she
kept as remembrances of her mother. The
snow white cloth WINS spread, the dishes put
on, and then Kate hunted up the stew pam
This she cleaned, and having fixed it on the
fire, she proceeded to prepare dip for the
toast, which she made Of butter, milk and
water, thickened with a little -four. She
found Absalom's dishes hidden away in vari-
Gus places, as though stuck away from the
sight Of assessors and tax.garherers. But
there were more of them than she had imu-
gined, though they all had to undergo a sort
of washing process before they were putup-
on the table. Finally the toast was done,
the tea made, and then Uncle Absalom was
informed that supper was ready.
So intent had he been upon watching the
light, noiseless movements Of the fairy that
he did not notice the Grst call. and it was
not until he had been spoken to the second
time that he fairly understood He sat up
to the table, and softer shade rested upon
his features as he cast his eyes over the
board. The snowy cloth, the clean dishes,
the steauiing tea pot, the light, rich looking
toast, and, above all, the lovely presence
that presided over the scene, were new
things in that heretofore cherries home
Kate helped him to plate OF toast, and to
cup of tea, and the shade upon his face
grew softer, as he tasted the we'll prepared
food.
"Don't you remember this cream pitcher,
and this sugsr bowl, Uncle Absalom?" Kate
asked, as she helped him TO second plate
OF toast.
He looked at them, and after while he
said: r. r" .,.t ....
"They do look familiar, Kate"
cay, uncle, you have seen them often
BEFORE. Your kind old mother always used
them VILE she lived, ahd when she died she
gave them to my mother. love them now
for they are doubly dear to me, bringing back
to my mind one of the best OF grandmothers
and one of the most true and faithful moth.
ers." st. i.,a... ...
Absalom Burr gazed upon the mementos
and moisture gathered in his eyes, but
twas not quite enough to form tear.
SNOW, uncle," spoke Kate, as they were
about to arise from the table, isn't this bet.
ter than cold bread and water!"
"Why, yes, it tastes little better, but il
costs more, Kate"
"No, no, my uncle, it doesn't cost SO much
1t may take little more money. but look a
the comfort and satisfaction which it affords
and which would be lost without it. Wha
is money good for, if we cannot purchase
comfort with it! Who so poor as he who
has nc comfort and no joy. But l know
|
what you mean. You would be prudent anc
saving--and so we will be; and yet we will
have some comfort, too,"
The table was soon cleared away, ant
then Kate proceeded to wash her dishes.-
After this she sat down and conversed will
her uncle, and for two hours she entertained
1 him with accounts of her own and her par
ents' experience. When bedtime came
she found her cot ready for her, and thougl
she saw plainly how she could better itt'ye
she said nothing. She put her arms abou
her unce's neck, and having kissed hin
she said ..: t.. ~
"Good night, uncle. God bless and kee
you." And then she took her candle and wer
away to bed, leaving the old man to find HI
way by the light of the fire.
How those words hung in the old man
mind.
How strange and sweet they were, an
how many long years had passed since h
had heard such words before. His thought
went back to the time when his mother use
to kiss him at bed time, and for the while
, orgot the long, dark years that had passt
away since those boyhood days. The o
man went to his bed and dreamed. +
dreamed that he was. a boy once more, al
> that his mother was with him, to care f
fand love him. i.
:, In the morning ne was aroused by Il
notes Of sweet, blithe song. He start
: up and listened, and he heard the same bea
tiful song which his mother used to sing
her happiest moments. He arose and dres
. ed himself, and shortly afterwards. Ka
came in. She had built a FIRE in the 9
fire place outin the porch, land the coffee Y
!. already made. She greeted the old m
;, with happy smile, and another kiss. Il
cheeks we're all aglow, and her face p1
sented the very picture OF health and hap
ness. ..S
A breakfast Of dry toast and butter, cod
y and a few warm biscuit, was soon on the
,uible. and as the old man sat down, that shi