The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-03-12

|
try it,"
1t was early morning on the Fourth of
July. Bright and dewy, and rosy and
Uncle Barker, as everybody called him,
gray haired Uncle Barker, with shining
face smoothly shaver the day before, with
his big boots blackened till they glistened,
and his black cloth coat on that he had
had for fifteen years. Uncle Barker, OF
cheerful voice and hearty laugh, and big
mouth, sat on his rumbling old spring
wagon, behind his sleek, fat horses, Gray
and Bess. Beside him sat his fat, rosy
checked old wife, Aunt Sarah. Behind
them was huge basket that would have
held at least two bushels, filled to its ut
most limits with good things to cat.
swell, I'm real glad said the old lady,
as they drove leisurely past the elders,
wneso milkwhite flowers sometimes brush
ed against the wheels, Pm real glad
they're goin.' I've knowed Percival Smiths
wife ever since she was little creetur that
couldn't walk, and she just seems like my
own child. But, old man," and here she
lowered her voice, as though she feared
the turkey that lay in behind her might
hear her, II do think Perciyal might pro-
vide better for his family"
"Eh 2" said the old man, Speak cut,
Sary"
"Why, say" said the old lady, rails
ing her voice again, as she remembered
there was no one to bear her, II don't like
to speak hard Of people, but will say it
to you, Ephraim, Percy don't provide for
that family Ikea stout, hearty young man,
likely, too, as any young man ever was,
ought to. Now, say that and I'll stick
to it." And the kindly blue eyes came as
near looking rcscntiul rs Aunt Sarah's
eyes ever came.
"That's SO, Sary, that's SO, between you
and me" said Uncle Barker. "But he may
do better yet. He's young and has got
good lcanin' and he hasn't no bad habits
that is he don't swear, nor lie, nor stcal.-
There's something good in Percy, there is,
if you can only come Mt it. Get up, Bess.n
And they ratified through Kentonville in
style. Aunt Sarah's calico bonnet skirt
| flying back az she smiled and nodded first
ON one side aud then on the other, for
everybody for miles around knew Aunt
Sarah Barker.
Presently the wagon was filed az Gull as
the two-bushel basket, by the addition of
the Smith family, and u merry party they
were as Gray and Bess went in a sweeping
trot along the dusty road, aud Aunt Sarah
laughed and gave the children cakes from
her pocket, and they laughed and talked
of the trees and the birds and the flowers,
and Uncle Barker talked with them and
laughed like boy, and Mrs. Smith talked
and laughed more than they all, while her
face was very rosy, and her eyes very bright
and restless Percival, somehow, seemed
absent minded. Indeed he would have
preferred being absent in body, and he had
proposed walking across the pasture; but
Uncle Barker had pooh-poohed" at him,
and Aunt Sarah had insisted so kindly on
his riding, and as he had no excuse for
walking he had been fain to climb into
the wagon and sit beside his wife, in her
hat that was worn out and laid aside three
summers ago, and her calico dress which
was dngy from washing, and her patched
CATERS, while her naked hands held her
parasol which was adorned with three
great darns. Yes, that was Mrs Smith
And she used to dress so elegantly when
lie took her to pic MICS in fine buggies, be-
hind fast horses, and the very persons they
had met and been intimate with il those
days would be there to-day; still we'll
dressed, still respectable, genteel looking
people, and they would have to shake
hands with them and laugh and talk, and
he looked at his wife and groaned so loud
that she heard him, and looking around,
innocently asked if he said anything Poor
Percival Smith.
Presently there was a rattle and dash,
and an elegant equipage passed them, and
there was tlutter Of gay ribbons and the
waving of gauze dress, and sweet face
bowed and hand was waved, and hat
was raised, while voices called gaily, Good
morning, Percy" "How dye do, Kate"
Percy groaned again, and looked like
man going to his gallows; but Kate bow
ed as politely, and laughed as gaily as
they, and called out, GOOD morning"
They were Charles johnson and his wife,
with both of whom Percival and Kate
had been very intimate before either had
been married.
Then, just behind them came the Browns
Honest DR.. Brown drove up and adapted
his pace to Uncle Barker's and his good
humored wife called out, "If there isn't
Kate Smith I'm SO glad to see YOU" and
then followed a string OF loving talk, which
however, was all sincere, as tho two wo-
men were devoted friends.
Next came John Merriweather and his
sisters, who had always known Kate, and
they lifted their noses in the air and went
on, with only distant bow to Uncle and
Aunt Barker; and Mrs. Smith was so busy
talking to Mrs. Brown that she did not
see them until they had passed.
That bright, glad day under the leaves,
on the grass, by the shining river, was
day of trials and triumph to Kate. Her
heart fell whenever she thought of Percy
in his misery for he was so proud, and
she was tempted fifty times to climbed up
in Uncle Barker's wagon and sit in COM
parative obscurity besides the dear old
woman, whose long black silk apron and
calico sun bonnet would not put her own
dress to shame. But, no. That would
not be acting her part. She had work to
do on that day, and she must do it. So
she walked smilingly up to her old friends,
gave them her gloveless hand, introduced
Percy to old acquaintance who had not
before met him, inquired for persons Of
whom she had heard him speak, but whom
she did not know and, before he was
aware Oft, lie was introducing his shabby
little wife to his stylish friends. She was
deeply excited, and surpassed her own ex-
pectations. The woman who could go into
such crowd as that, in which dress was
the supreme ruler, herself dressed in old
clothes, and bear herself with the air of
queen, and talk with all the freedom and
grace of an educated American woman,
could not fail to attract attention. She
found herself, before she was aware of it,
the centre ofan admiring group. She was
the Kate Smith of old. She forgot her old
dress, as she talked on interesting subjects
with intelligent men and women. Her