Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-28
NO. BOG
GRANDPAPA'S STORY.
Continued from Yesterday,

That's my name. SIR"
'Ah J" said the old gentleman, with .
laugh, Il thought ! could not be mistaken
in your nose, It's as good as family la
bel all the world round. But what on
earth do you want a tavern for p
Tom explained
Nonsense said his cousin. jump
| right in. You can't come too soon. The
girls will be glad to see you. They
couldn't say enough about you when they
came home a.s
'lhcovenience ~ not q bit. jump
right in. say. We are country folks and
| don't put ourselves out for our friends.
You must take US as you find US. Dttie
was deep in some furbelow or other when
| came off, but Nellie will see you Bless
her little heart. She's never too busy 10
do anything that's wanted, If II only
makes somebody else comfortable
80 of they drove. and after half mile,
turned in an open gate, and stopped in
front OF large, low, comfortable home
stead. The old gentleman sprang out like
boy, and opening the door began To call
in a loud voice, 'Dittie-Ncllie-girlr
This way, Tom. Here's the Keeping
room. and there's fre-or ought to be-.
Well. Dittie, what's the maitero Why
don't you come and speak to your cousin
TomP
"And Tom stood and stared, for Inc fig
ure before him was very little like the eY-
quisite fairy he had been dreaming about
Tor month back. Dittie was cuddled up
| in a corner OF the hearth with a candle
beside her, and her lap full of q blue silk
petticoat, upon which she was sewing.
Her pretty hair was all tucked out OF the
kaA nd
dress was sort of faded bed gown. evil
IDENTIFY put on in hurry. and as she got
up and shuffled unwlllngly forward, there
could be no doubt that her slippers were
down at the heel.
Now, children, If there is one thing
above another woman cannot afford TO
be, ii is untidy. No matter how beautiful
she Is. it spoils it all. Venus herself
! couldn't make an impression in an old bed
gown with her hair rumpled and collar
awry. And As Tom stared at his lady love
-sulien and mortified, and in this un.
promising guse-he felt his sentiment Tor
| her oozlng out the tips Of his fingers and
| what's worse It never came back again
Remember that girls
1--WE didn't expect YOU so soon,' was
all Dittie could find to say In the confusion
of the moment. -sHt
| But we're very glad, cousin Tom, Joined
| In another voice, and then he became con-
scious tor the first time that Nellie had en-
| tered. She carried q candle in each hand.
and when she had set them down and
given Tom welcome and found chair
for him and her father, she moved about
the room, giving bright little housewifely
touches here and there-poking the fire to
a bleze, and making things look neat and
cheerful. Her dress was only common
print, but it was fresh and spotIess; her
hair was glossy as satin; and the neat lit
tie collar and bow Of ribbon made the
simple garb as becoming as richer ma
terial.
"All the time she was arranging the
room she went on talking in pleasant
voice, asking questions about the Journey,
and dfusing that atmosphere of home
and welcome which is acceptable to q
stranger.
"DItlie slipped away, but Tom forgot to
miss her, he was so well entertained By
and by she came back in a smart gown
with her hair curled; but somehow Tom
could not think her as pretty as she used
TO be. The vision Of The shabby dressing
gown and rough locks was too recent to
be forgotten. Ea
"Well, supper appeared, and first
| rate supper it was. Tom was glad to see
it, for the journey had made him very hum
cry. Nellie poured out the tea. 1t ap-
peared she was hOusekeeper and she sat
| there looking sweet enough to sweeten
| the cups without sugar. Tom saw for the
| first time what dear little face she had
and how honest and true her brown eyes
| were. Her teeth too, were like pearls.
| and showed when she laughed, and that
was pretty often. for Ditlie seemed sulky
and silent. and she was anxious to make
up for it. and have Cousin Tom feel at
home.
Next morning Dittie looked subdued
| and abstracted, with none of the lively
| ways she had worn in New York. Tom
found afterward that her head was full Of
the blue silk gown which she had set her
heart on finishing for Thanksgiving.
"Soon after breakfast she went awav to
work upon ii, leaving Tom in Nellie's
| hands. which was inconyenient; for Mel
lie had all sorts of things TO do that dav
apples TO pare and pumpkins to stew
and pies TO bake, and l don't know what
ALL
However, there was no help for it.
She made a bright fire in the keeping
room and brought some books for Tom,
| and told him she must leave him awhile.
and if he got lonely he must come out in
| The kitchen. Tor there she should be. And
of course Tom had no idea sitting alone;
So he soon came wandering alter her. and
spent almost the whole day there, help
ing and hindering; for though he pared
some apples. and beat great many eggs
| am afraid his long legs and his con-
versalion were good deal in the way.
However. Nellie didn't let him know
| it. il they were. And il was so pleas
ant to watch her at work that he would
have been sorry enough to have been or
dered off. She was the quickest, most
skillful little creature in all her ways, and
yet so orderly and systematic Whether
wishing some dainty mixture with big
spoon, or welding the rolling pin. or
touching the oven door with white
| knuckle, TO see it the heat was right, all