The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-05-25

it'll take purity pile O. money tew fix
it up again, if ever it's fixed. wonder
now eff Mis- Lee don't wish she hadn't
been quite so neighborly, and so had a
little sumthin' eout at interest" and it
really seemed to me as if the little
woman chuckled to herself as she patted
down the stairs.
In less than half an hour she came
back to my room with as doleful look
ing visage as | ever saw. Whatever
is agoin' to become o me and my
man?" cried she; Z" an we gettin' to
be old folks, tew. Our savings were all
in the stock comp'ny up to Minotsville,
because they paid more interest than
the bank; we only TUX it eout O. the
bank little while ago, and meow their
old mill has gone clean off, an they'll
all 90 to gineral smash and we along
with 'em;" and this time she went
slowly groaning down the stairs. L
could not help plying the poor woman
from the bottom of my heart.
There was great excitement in the
little village, as a matter of course, but
Aunty Lee was reported to be as chip
per" as ever. The nosegay came to me
every day as usual, not quite so many
nor so great a variety as formerly, for
a part of the garden had been washed
away, but enough to give me an in
creased admiration for the sweet old
lady who was so persistent and un-
wearying in her neighborly acts of
| kindness.
The next Mondays local newspaper
had this unique notice at the head of
the village items:
All who have ever been the recipients of
kindly deeds from "Aunty Lee, and who would
like to reciprocate now in her day of misfort-
une, are invited to bring their supper to Oak
Grove on Thursday afternoon at five o'clock,
and talk the matter up over "neighborly'
cup of tea.
At the time appointed l had a car
and my basket of cakes and buns fresh
from the bakery, to the beautiful grove.
AS we were driven along was sur
prised to see so many people, lunch
baskets in hand, speeding in the same
direction.
almost every body in town. is going"
said Mrs. Evans, high an low, rich an
| poor
As l was being assisted to a seat
gentle, motherly little woman spread
a soft shawl over the back of the chair
intended for me and quickly folded an
other shawl for my lame foot torestupon.
This is Aunty Lee" said Mrs.
Evans, and the sweet-faced little woman
and | looked into each others faces
with little curiosity, perhaps, as well
as sympathy, and shook hands cordial
ly. :" don't know what all these good
people are to do with Elijah and me, -
she said with smile that was as genial
as sunbeam, {" but the minister would
have us come, and he and his wife
drove around for u.s.
The minister assembled the platform
just then, and, after tenderly yet i'm
preSsively invoking the divine blessing,
he looked down benignly upon the faces
upturned to his and with q touching
information of voice asked, "WhO is my
neighbour" He then went on to tell
how Aunty Lee had answered that
! question in regard to himself.
"When | first became acquainted
with Mr.. and Mrs. Elijah Lee" he said,
81 was finishing my theological studies
here in the village with DR.. Mills, and
they had just married and settled down
in their little house yonder, which they
had inherited. One day was sent for
to preach on trial in the adjoining town
of LuXboro'. My only coat was worn
threadbare and extensively patched,
and had no way of procuring another.
Feeling soreiy grieved and dispirited |
started out for a walk, and for the sake
| Of telling my troubles to some fellow
creature, and with no thought of receiv-
ing any aid in the premises, turned in
to Mrs. Lees house and read to her the
invitation | had from LuXboro' and
frankly told her why | could not go at
present"
leave it to the Lord said the
good woman, and forthwith she pro-
ceeded to take my measure with piece
of tape. 600 home" she continued,
"write your sermon and come here
again Saturday morning"
Il obeyed. l subsequently found that
the woman had actually taken piece
of cloth that she had laid by in the
house for a cloak for herself, and, tai
loress as she was by trade, had cut and
made me coat from it. | preached my
first sermon in it, and shortly received
and accepted my first call"
go dear!' whispered Aunty Lee
from her seat by my side, "he's paid
me for that coat every Newly ears Day
since, and it wasn't much for me to do,
after all
Maj. Sanford, the richest man in
town, was the next to take the stand.
The old people smiled and nodded their
heads, but the young folks looked at
each other and wondered what he could
be indebted to Aunty Lee for
"When | was boy" the Major be-
gan, +" was bound out in H to a
very, very bad master, from whom |
determined to run away. l availed
myself of an opportunity to escape one
Saturday afternoon, when | was sent to
the pasture to salt the cattle. | came
straight over the mountain to this place
| wanted to get out of the State as soon
as possible, so came directly to the
bridge down here at the river, which is,
you all know, the New Hampshire
boundary. just after | had stepped
upon Vermont soil overlook, on the
road, Mr.. and Mrs. Lee, young people
then. They had a basket and a spade,
and had been digging up wild flowers