The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-01-03
the times you might have earned lit

AO1COu ucI W ody.
"No doubt you would" she returned
severely. "Come in at the Eleventh
hour and take what you could find"
81 would do anything in the world
that could that was honest" said her
pride, humbled now to the very dust of
self-reproach.
Would you sing for money!"
Aunt Kizzy said this abruptly, al
most triumphantly, as if she had proved
her pride now, and found it nothing
but vain boaster. A little red spot
was burning in each faded cheek.
She had left Crawlin Place far be-
hind her. The houses she now saw
were beginning to wear very well-to-
do look. On she walked until the
streets grew wide and the houses very
fine.
What a contrast to Crawlin Place!
eff you get envious, back you'll go,
Kizzy H., without chance for present
money!
This was probably addressed to an
other weak spot in poor Aunt Kizzy' s
makeup.
She went on without an idea where
to stop. A house with the curtains up
attracted her attention.
Massyr' she exclaimed, as she
looked in the window. "They must
be made of gold and silver in therew
She walked up the steps and rang the
bell.
"If you please, miss" she began, as
the door opened.
'sBack gate for beggars,' said the
servant shortly.
With a choking feeling in her throat
Aunt Kizzy stood staring at the closed
door.
"You can't stare money enough out
of shut door to fill a stocking, unless
a miracle takes place, Kizzy H." she
said cheerfully, as she went down the
grand steps.
House after house was passed before
another struck her fancy.
"Don't look quite so grand as
t'other," she said, as she looked in at a
window. "There's picter o. Christ
blessing little children. 1t makes me feel
orful old. Dear little creeters! don t
believe the grand brass images and
fiumjacks have pushed everything good
OUT OF tnlS place.
And she went up the high steps. AS
her hand touched the bell, a light step
was heard behind her, and pleasant
voice said: "Whom did you wish to
see?'
81 came" Aunt Kizzy's voice was
little unsteady, oil came to ask
if any of the ladies here would-would
like to hear little old-fashioned sing
ing"
Il certainly should" said the young
lady, pleasantly; and I'm sure grand
mamma would"
"Open your eyes and take in all the
style, old Kiz, to tell Car line" said
the old woman to herself, as they
walked up the broad handsome stairs,
but when she found herself actually
standing before sofa, where lay a
proud-looking old lady, she forgot
Car line," and almost her errand.
"She is going to sing us some old
fashioned music" explained the young
lady, as her grandmother stared at
them both.
Aunt Kizzy closed her old hands nerv-
ously together, but though she
pressed them very hard, no song came
to her mind. What would they think
of her! Her breath came in little gasps,
and the red spots frightened in her
cheeks.
est down and rest yourself little
while,' said the young lady, kindly.
81 brought you up too many stairs for
you to sing right away"
"There wasn't so many stairs. miss,
as there's been years since sung afore
folks" said Aunt Kizzy, then adding
mentally, "Don't act like a fool if
you've got common sense, Kizzy H.r'
She stood respectfully before them,
and in voice, not by any means to be
despised, sang a simple ballad of "ye
olden time"
"Can you sing another?" asked
the young lady, as the last note died
away.
81 don't wish another yet," said
her grandmother. GO want the same
again"
Aunt Kizzy's heart beat joyfully. She
had forgotten money; there was happi-
ness in the thought of being able to
give pleasure. She sang until her old
voice sounded weary, and they declared
she should sing no more. The young
lady gave her dollar.
"Too much," said Aunt Kizzy, firmly.
81 sang ten songs, and two cents apiece
is high enough to reckon EN-"
GA dollar for a good concerts is cheap
enough, and have not enjoyed one so
much in many day, madam"
eff you insist on it, l can't help it,
said Aunt Kizzy, with shining eyes, as
she thought of Carols stocking.
81 do not consider that 1 half pay
for my pleasure" said the young lady's
grandmother, as with old-school
dignity she placed five dollars in Aunt
Kizzy's hand.
81 couldn't sleep tonight if 1 took
that! she cried. "Don't make me
think I'm dreaming now, and IL wake
up without a cent for Carols stockin'."
She held out the money to the young
lady, who took it, saying:
"You shall not be overpaid, but let
me give you muff; your hands will be
cold going home. This is an old one,
but it is warm, and here are some
pieces of silk for a new lininO.n