The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-12-05
Select Story.
AUNT CYNTHY'S OLD LADY.

Fine feathers make fine birds muttered
Aunt Cynthy coming down the hall stairs and
passing the open door wherein stood Rosa.
lind Fayre, in Nile green silk, with coffee
colored laces at her throat. Aunt Cynthy
was unjust. Rosalind would be fine in any
garb-a fresh young beauty, who was aware
of the fact, to be sure, and did the best she
knew how for herself
There were two front doors to hospitable
Fair Hill. AT the upper end of the piazza
issued directly Mildred Mason. 'Thar's my
beauty soliloquized Aunt Cynthy, passing
directly out OF sight. Mildred's white dress
was frightened by scarlet ribbons she had
a scarlet shawl disposed about her raven
locks. am not sure whether she was pret.
ty or not but she was attractive-a heaven
lier gift even than that of beauty.
1t was November, but it was soft, bright
weather still in the border States, and exhl-
lerating as well. The wine of the year was
spilled abroad. The skies were golden and
crimson that sunset. Aunt Cynthy reap
peared round a corner of the house, with a
pail in her hand, bound for the dairy, the
roof of which was visible in the next field.
Her woody locks were wound up in kerchef
of the autumn colors-yellow and red, Mil
dred, taking it into her head to go milking
also, and joining the old woman presently,
suggested this fact to her.
Yes, honey but wars desc colors fur a
bette reason den dat. Dem as likes yaller
sees ghosts an dem as de ghosts likes red,
Red is my color. But don't know about
the ghosts
'You's not dead yet, is you? You'll fin
out beio' you is Now dat Miss Rosain
Green Reckon our ole lady IL glib her 8
wide berth. Ghosts can't abide green
what old lady?'
Il see her moren nuff times. Old lady
wild spnnin' wheel, all in white, wild car
wild frill rour' it. Fair Hill can't get she
of her nohow.' ......
Have you seen her often p
Right smart, often lately, Reckon suth
in gwine ter happen. Dat's it. Ole lad,
tryu, ter glib warnin'. You shed see her b.
rights, Miss Milly; you is Mason yer
SELF
In the dairy were two ancient serving ms
black as the ace of spades, churning. The
saluted Mildred with wide ivory smiles, bu
spoke not, They brought before Mldre
visions of carvep ebony images at some pei
sistent mechanical task Aunt Cynthy skim
med the cream for tea, and Mildred strolle
farther up the field, into cabin, where 81
: a feeble old woman, mother of Gale, tn
head dairyman, who inarticulated gree
ing. Gales wife appeared from the bac
ground, saying, Mother had stroke la
5 fall. An how is you, Miss l is tolli
ble.'
; Mildred was well, and was glad to be a
], sured Mrs. Gale was the same. She stoc
pensively regarding the two women with h
/, strangely, beautiful dark eyes
Mother are a right ole CONAN, miss, Gale
e wife surmised. with subdued pride, but y
with an air of uncertainty. Chronology
J.. rarely included in the philosophy of ETH
}, pia. She war married in eighteen hundr,
an twelve.
| Mildred first cried, Indeed ? then add
That need not make her so very old, eitht
My grandfather aud grandmother we
married in 1912 then they were 20 and
My grandfather is So now. / don't belle
you are much over 80, aunty.'
Gales wife was highly impressed. S
entire faith in Mildred's calculations, DO
you reckon she are, miss {?
Mildred reiterated her conviction. Au
Cynthy reissued from the dairy, cream p
in hand. Having established a character
mathematical senius, Mildred rejoined h
Gales wife looked after her admiringly.
seemed such fine thing not only to kn
ones own age, but other peoples as well
Rnsalind was still on the pizza when NJ
dred reached the house, in time to ansv
Here ! when Ruth Mason, her hostt
asked, Where is Mildred p in her sweet, !
voice. Ruth was the mean between the I
extremes of Rosalind and Mildred, in
sense that both were her cousins, althol
not each others, She had Midred's da
IN dark eyes-grAve in her case, But Il
he matters and things were grave at Fair |
ne just then.
or: The tea bell Jang, and they followed
n1 sound, Mrs. Mason, with snowy hair
ig- cap and kerchief, presided at the urn.
!. clock that was 200 years old licked in
ia corner. The bill of fare, of course, inclu
or Maryland biscuit. 1t remains mys
eS. oS. why these should have teen better than
lthey been eaten out of Maryland. A 81