The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-08-14


with the washing. There was scarcely a
thing in the house, from the best blue and
white bedspread down to the dish cloth,
but was put through that washing-ma-
chine and tub, and speedily transferred to
the lines to dry. Two of the oldest boys
were at work upon the outside of the
house. mailing on the loose clapboards and
shingles, and Transforming its weather
beaten sides by coat of light brown
paint, with darker shade of color upon
the cornice and castings, which improved
its appearance wonderfully. By noon they
were all very willing to rest awhile, and
refresh themselves with the contents of
their lunch-baskets and generous supply
Of lemonade which the boys had provi-
ded for the occasion.
Then, giving orders to remember ex-
actly where everything in the bedroom
and pantry was kept, SO that each article
might be left as they had found it, they
proceeded with the work. 1t wasn't a
pleasant task. I doubt whether they could
have persevered to the end without Aunt
Kezzy's encouraging words and smiles
But she kept them all SO happy with her
funny little stories and droll remarks, and
pictured so wildly the surprise and de-
light of the old couple when they return
ed from their visit, they took heart and
went into the thickest of the fight bravely.
The old rag carpet was thoroughly whip
ped, mended, and nailed down again in
its place. Then followed the pleasantest
part of the work. Aunt Kezzy stuffed the
old wooden rocking chairs, and covered
them with crimson merino dress-skirt,
while the girls put up the fresh white
muslin curtains, and tied them back with
hrS cr1,t rib md
| furniture to the best possible advantage.
Each one Marlborough something's little
homemade bracket, or a picture framed
with moss or cones-and it was delightful
to see how pretty the room was when at
last everything was done-the crimson
chairs, with their white tides in their &C.
customed places, pictures and brackets
upon the neat wall, and vase of fresh
flowers upon the little oldfashioned stand
They called all the others in to enjoy it
with them, then proceeded with fresh
courage to the unpleasant things which
still remained to be done. The widow
had finished her washing, and was ironing
and summing the clothes as fast as they
dried. The dishes were all washed, and
put back on the clean shelves covered
with neatly bordered papers. The poor old
feather-b bed received a terrible shaking, and
summed itself for hours on pile of brush
in the back yard. The straw was emptied
out, the tick washed and dried and filled
with fresh, clean straw again. Aunt
Kezzy took the bedstead in charge, peer
ing carefully at every crack and crevice,
scalding and securing and sailing it, until
she was satisfied that from henceforth the
poor old souls would be able to sleep in
peace. At last the bedroom and kitchen
were as pure and sweet as whitewash,
soap and water could make them, and the
tired but happy boys and girls prepared
to return to their homes. Auntie praised
them all, and said few words about the
blessedness of ministering to the poorest,
lowliest ones of earth. as our Saviour
did, which sank deep into their young
hearts.
."Grandpa and Grandma Brown will not
be here until after dinner Monday, SO I
will come over and put the finishing
touch to the work, and be here to receive
them. think the dear old folks will
want to see you; and suppose you all
come here after school for sort of pic
mic in the grove back of the house?
Bring your provisions, plate, knife, cup
fine time of it. What do you say?'
j
the dearest, best auntie in the world"
With pleasant ''good.nights," the party
separated and went their several ways.
Aunt Kezzy was in the bright little
kitchen when Farmer Jones drove up to
the door with Grandpa and Grandma
Brown. They looked at the newly paint
ed house with bewildered air, and never
stirred from their seats.
"Well," said the farmer, "here we are;
shall I help you out?" ,--....
"But this can't be our old house
things wrong about it sOmeway, but I
can't just think what it is" said the old
man. Sea $Fs
"Wcll, guess it'll be all right inside;
you'd better 60 in and see."
| Trembling with surprise and wonder,
the old couple went slowly up the clean
swept path, and were met at the door by
Aunt Kezzy's sunny face.
ooh! know now! It's some of your
work!''
.No, indeed, grandpal Do You suppose
an old woman like me could paint up
your house like this: But come in, come
in and sit down."
Aunt Kerry led them to the coy sit
ting-room and seated them in their cush-
toned chairs.
"Now, Keziah Thompson, who's done
all thiss" said grandma, pointing her
trembling finger to the newly-papered
walls, the muslin curtains, and the tribes
that adorned the room, then feeling care
fully the cushioned arm of the chair in
which she was sitting. yrs
"A whole parcel Of fairies, grandma,
real fairies! They are all coming to see
you this afternoon" tr
Tears slowly gathered in her faded eyes
and rolled down the burrows in her
cheeks. ..IGss "a
"Well, I'm all beat out! 1 can't think
what it MEANS" said grandpa. II don't be.
lieve it is our house, after all; it's some
mistake"
"No, indeed it's all right, I assure you, ~
said auntie. "Just rests bit then look
4 about you and see." t4.xg as i.s &
They couldn't wait to rest. Excited and
curious IS children, they got up and went
ont into the kitchen, looked atthe shining
stove, the old clock in the corner, the
1neatly-scoured table and floor, the pure
white walls, and the blue and white
dishes In their accustomed place.
. It Was q treatt0 Aunt Kezxv and Farmer
Jones, who stood in the doorway, BLOWING
. his nose vigorously, and fhtively wipinS
, his eyes upon an enormous red handker
chief. 10 hear thsif sxclamA&ions az aston.
ishment as, hand in hand, they peered
, cautiously into the little bedroom. The
, same blue and white spread was on the
bed, the same little clswf0Oted stand by
! its head, with the campfire" bottle, boz