Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-07-29
AUNT PATTY AND HER NIECES
TFrom the Kuickerbocke,


Father, L have brought you letter from
orotaer Edward, was the exclamation of III
len Redfcrd, as she bounded into the op;ei
parlOr were her parents were seated. She
waited, hat in hand. to hear its contents. The
spectacles were placed with the deliberation OF
age, the page slowly perused, and the fact an
nounced that Edward was to be with them the
following evening. Ellen skipped up stairs
threw her arms around her sisters neck and
kissed her, exelaiming: ut Ii two years next
month since 1 have seen him; never such q
separation before since We were born"
They continued their sisterly conversation
until the light had faded in the west, and then
repaired TO the parlor. Lucy requested to see
Edwards letter. When she read it, she OBJ
served: "YOu did not tell me, Ellen, that Hen
ry Errington was coming with Edward
" did not know it; | only heard the main
fact, and ran up to tell you. And pray, vino
Is Henry Errington? l never heard OF him.
- tie Is Edwards particular friend,n said
Lucy. "He spoke me of him often when he
was here last GUNNER. He is engaged in the
same business, and lives in the same house
with Edward. Thought I had mentioned him
TO YOU" .--..t = :
Never, and hope he may not prove a re-
Certainly not. Edward would not brins
him If he thought he would not be an ungenisi
companion to u"
The mother was on ''hospitable thought in
tent" and had planned much to make the
house agreeable to her son and his friend The
spare rooms were to be aired and decorated,
and sundry nice things for the table prepared
By the ladies themselves, while their single
domestic was employed in the more seryiIe
Offices. Before the next evening the house
looked as pleasant as order, white curtains and
flowers could make it. True, it was neither
new now fashionable, but took an air Of com
fort and refinement from its inmates
The father most hanDy in hs
ton OF again seeing his only son, and his eve
ming devotion was warmer than usual and the
hymn, In which all the family Joined, one OF
praise and Thanksgiving. The following day
was actively employed in appropriate duties,
and the afternoon found ali the ladies nicely
dressed and waiting for their guests. The re-
caption Of the son and brother was warm and
tender-of the friend, cordial and kind The
evening passed In that familiar chat which has
such deep interest for attached relatives:
Sunday morning came-hou pure and beauti-
full how still and serious. how full of holy
thought and sweet resOlveI The poets have
sung 1t, the weary have blessed it, and those
who have hard lot yet welcome the day of rest
and feel thst they may 60 with the prosperous
10 the house of God. The Redford family were
prepared to attend divine service, when an
elderly woman rode into the yard on horseback
and around to the bsck-door
There comes Aunt Patty" said Edward,
and rushed out to meet her 1880
rather loud voice exclaimed: "HalIo, Ned,
where did you come from? / had not thought
of seeing you
Il came from New York, Aunty, and should
have been much disappointed not 10 see you,
Tor know you go to meeting as sure as the bell
rings" =
Inc lady jumped from her horse secured il
and made rather long steps through the kitchen
but when she arrived at the parlor door was
surprised to see a stranger, shortened her foot
nd
Nj ErringtOn to Miss Redford. She dropped
aslittle courtesy, and said in softened tone:
Il hope see you pretty well, sir!i
After the usual greetings, her brother asked:
sister Patty, how came you TO ride on horse
back this morning? l thought Burr always
drove you to meeting in the wagon"
lie does a'most always, brother; but we
have had hard weeks work up at the great hill
this week. We got the last of the hsy in last
night; Jonathan Davy, and another man that
was hired, were all as tired as dogs; il was
night wnen they drove the last load on the
osrn door, and 1 told them not to pitch eff till
Monday morning. Grand hay times, not
lo;k wet; and an thinking them hay-eocks
nave seen out as 1 came along to neetin' NAV
get duckIn' before tomorrow mornin'. for
there pillary clouds in the south west ready -
with your hay" :
=. Partly luck and partly care was up
EN- all; got all the chores dun, and lot of
grass moved while the dew was on. Made
Hannah and Dayy do the milkin', and got the
coffee ready myself; don't always give 'em
coffee, but think they ought to have it whom
they re mOwin'.'
. You're right, Patty, to consider your peo-
pie - :
:. fes l mind them, and then they mind me:
AMI that's what like. Now, I told Jonathan
this morning that he need not tackle the boss
nOreOme TO meetin I'd ride down, and Hannah
should read to him in the Bible an hymn book,
and that are printed sarmon you lent me last
Sunday. He liked the plan right we'll. but
Davy would not miss the Sunday school. He
had on his Sunday clothes, and run down an
hour ago"
Aunt Patty having explained her own con-
dltIon, made sundry inquiries Of them all and
when the bell rang was ready to 20 with them
TO public worship She had a pew Of her own
and some Of her neig bors cast looks of inouiry
10 know why Jonathan Burr and wife we're not
there as usual, but she did not mind that. She
attended 70 her own business, and thought
others should do the same.
Lucy and Ellen were of the choir, and sat in
the gallery; Edward and his friend with the
father and mother. The preacher was of the
old time. A prayer, commencing with many
long words, and closing with fsith and hone
The sermon was divided into many sections,
and was on the whole somewhat tedious But
Parson Fisher was q good man, beloved Of his
people, and they called him q searching
preacher, and loved TO have him at weddings
and by their sick beds, because he sympathiIed
with them.
The intermission was short. A slight re-
fTeshment occupied the time and the afternoon
service was like that Of the morning. After
the exercises Of the day were closed they had
good dinner, with the addition Of tea, and the
young men proposed q walk when il was over,
and invited the ladies TO accompany them.
Laey decidedly declined, saying: That father
always read to them at that hour, and would
feet hurt If they went out -.
Ellen chafed little under this priyation
but submitted. The gentlemen went without
them. 49,
One day all four Of them made pleasant ex-
cprsion 70 distant mountain on horseback
A Eoble panorama was spread out before them,
embracing the whole circle Of the horizon A
part of the ride was through the native forest,
with tall trees and much perishing vegetation
beneath. Sometimes a carpet Of moses, some
ti:aes ferns; and here and there an old tree had
fallen. and left its length TO decay in solemn
stiffness. Here the rabbits peered out fearless