The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-11-14
The Old Bell Pear Tree.
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the great loom which had woven ''fifty ral
carPets," and the spinning wheel which hsc
filled The great oaken chests with linen
stood side by side, and where the musketl
which had done, brave service under Gen
Putnam in the French war, and st Bunker
Hill, were laid like old veterans asleep OF
the great brown beams, and around which
clustered a world of old tales and legeSdso
Indian war.whoop and scalplng-k knife, ami
in later times, Of the days Of the Revolution
-of"rod.coat" and tory. and Of true-heartet
patriots, who left their fields and their hsr.
vests, and laid down everything that wai
precious and pleasant to them for the rights
OF their country and the freedom of their
homes. ts 'HH a
And these old legends and stories were
like precious jewels strung across the dark
faces of the winter evening, when we sa,
around the great fire place at grundma's lis.
tening to her words, and watching the flames
leap around the great "bSck log" and "fore
stick" -l, g.. ,.-.u ... ID,
"Grandma grandma !" I shouted the
name louder the second time, standing in
the back door that bright October morning :,
whose mists were like torn ribbons on the
hills, and whose pulses were full of the
slumber and sweetness of the dying year.
"Why Josephine, where did you come
from !" called the cheerful voice OF the old
lady, as she came around the corner Of the
house, her face shaded by blue sun bonnet,
while she held large wooden bowl of pep.
! pers in both hands.
"lt's vacation, grandma, and I've come
to spend the day here and such a search I've
had for you"
"Wall, I'D gone back O. the bern TO lay
out few yards for bsachiu', and then
thought might as we'll take to day to pic
k!e my peppers, SO kept on to the vines. !"
| wish you could have known my grand
mother Morri'. She was such a deur old
lady, with smi o thst kindled up her pole,
wrinkled face into olmost the glow and
freshness Of youth, with heart full OF kind.
ness and sympathy to every human being,
and memory that was like pleasant book
full Of pictures and stories Of the past,
think that kind, loving heart was like a
stesm Of ever-fowing waters, which kept
her lille fresh and green when her head had
inf ha sc al
"Grandma, what makes you always go
busy !" said as she cumo into the kitchen,
and, taking up skein Of blue woolen yarn,
slipped it over chair and commenced wind
ing it, while she made some inquiries re-
specting my parents and the family.
II expect it's the blood of the Morrises,
my child" she said. with her ole mellow
laugh "you never found one o them with
idle hands, so long as they'd strength to use
'em, or there was work for 'em to do"
"You must be a genuine Morris, then,
grandma" said, and then lifted up the
cover of a willow basket which carried
"See what mother sent you to-day -
/ did not wonder the old lady's eye bright
ened at the sight of the pears which lay
there like great gold and emerald goblets.
She took up one Of the largest by its slender
stem, ard surveyed it admiringly.
"It's the real old fashioned bell pear
Dear me /! There's nothing takes me back
threescore u wears quicker than the eight Of
one." ..s r.-n>5
"Why, grandma Z" s
"Becuuse-no malter-it's long story,
my child" .'.
"But l like to hear long stories, you
know" She looked at me thoughtfully q
moment.
\ SHOW do tell me, grandma. 7
"'WWsll, I'll get at seedin' these peppers
first" said she, removing her sun bonnet and
hdrrying into the pantry, for great yellow
earthern bowl. a'N>1& 'F'- "
o, can see that old kitchen, as we sat
togsther on that autumn morning with the
Epiesssntaaeab sdimpling ilsAIl over. aut-
teringIin the corners, and asleep onlthekOsILl
| ing, and still hear my grandmother's voice,
and seesher knife glance quickly through
the white core Of the peppers. III sI
) "I.wss the first to discover ,hem--,he four
knears on the little ,,ee thst siood !, ,mong the
onincreea ! ,ha sbo,tom j IA ar o,rden Mv
fs,her Id sci 4 i opt ,hree vs,,s bsfore. "a
we'd had good deal Of Of trouble ,bl with iii i !, M for