The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1881-05-21

ter somewhat Old, whose mellow aye was
seldom told her hair was gray, her nose was
thin, it nearly touched her t0othless chin.
Lite's weary WORK and constant care had
worn II face that once was fair.
Each Sabbath morn, from spring to
spring, within tn. choir she used to sing,
IL ancient lDanc:, cloak, and gown, the
Oldest relics in III. town; beside the chori,-
ter she stood, and always did the best she
cou.d, and, while with tuniny.lork, he led,
she marked his M vc.nents with her head,
her nasal voice r,>e sharp and clear above
the decp-to,ed viol near.
She took the black pot from the crane,
removed the kettle from the chain, and
maur the tea and chicken broth, drew out
the table spread the cloth; then, from the
table, bright and new, brought the best
China edged with blue
The chores were done, :hc feast was
spread; all took their seats aud grace was
said. They ate the savory chicken stew,
SO juicy and so we'll cooked through; be-
tore them, rich round dumrlings swan, on
plates, with {, did boiled ham. with feat,crv
biscuit, warm aud light, with c,,rrant jam
and honey, white and crowning all a good
supply Of pu.npkin-pc. Where such a
bounieo,,s feast is found, who would not
teach and aboard around?"
The supper done, the father took from OIL
its shell, the sacred Book, and read Of one
who stiled the sea one stormy night in
Gali.ee; then, knecling down before his
chair, he asked the heavenly Shepherds
care.
Soon from the group, with drnwsv heads
the children started for their beds; took oft
the little shoes they wore, and left then, on
the kitchen floor; then bidding all a fond
'good night with pater,ng feet, they
passed from sight.
Dear little feet how soon they stray from
the old house far away; how soon
they leave the family fold to walk the shin
ing streets Of gold, where every hope is real
ana sure; where every heart is Kind and
pure; wh,re every dream is bright and
iair,-O! may We meet oar loved ones
there!
The farmer left his cozy seat, with clat-
teriny slippers on his feet, went to the c:'l
lar where he drew a mug Of cider, sweet
and new, and from his broad bins brought
the best and ripest apples for his guest.
Then, by the warm fires ruddv light, they
fingered there until late ut night, strange
legends told, and tales that made them all
feel nervous and afraid.
IJuC AUNT NeUCCCu WutCDeU III VAIN
the curling smoke above the crane; she
nodi"d. ,zed, began to snore, she dropped
her Hitting on the floor, awoke, her cvelits
heavier grew, arose and silently withdrew.
Along the cracking stairs she crept, to
the lone chamber where she slept, and
close tn. window curtains drew, to screen
herself from outward view. She stopped
the Ike. hole Of the door, she set the candle
o., tine fl.Dr, looked meath the valance
hall afraid to find a man in amb,scade;
then, sitting down. aside with care she laid
her garments on chair, slipped on her
ghos:ly robe Of white, took of her shoes
blew out the light, then, in the darkness,
from her head removed her wig and went
to bed, curled up. will, chilly S.,l,s and
signs, and q,aivering shut her drowsy eyes.
Poor single souls who sleep alone, the
night wind has dismal tone to your ears
you start with fear at every midnight
sound you hear, when late at night with
weary heads YOU creep into your weary
beds. The nights seem long, your lips
turn blue, your feet g'o.~ cold--,you know
they do!
She $! ut at last; she heard once more
the ripple break upon the shore; again she
sat upon the strand, and some one clasped
her fair young hand, and words were whis-
rered in her eur that long ago she loved IL
hear, and, starting up, she cried In glee: II
knew you would come back to me-" She
woke. Alas! no love was there. Her thin
arms clasped the vacant air. Twas but a
dream. She lived alone. Without she
heard the night wind moan, while: on the
window panes the snow was wildly beating.
From below the smothered sound OF voices
came when still with B,sbv's social dame,
their guest sat by the fading fire and
watched its fleeing flame expire while she
listened. but no word they uttered could b.
clearly heard; but soon a recollection came
that sent shudder through her FRANC
the sausage to be fried at morn. the break
fast table 10 adorn, was IN the bedroom
where their guest would soon bctaxe him
self to rest. The clock struck ten, she soft.
" said, an get it ere he goes to bed"
The spare bed stood within room as
chill and humid as a tomb; twas never
aired. twas seldom swept; IN its damp cor
ncrs spiders crcpt; they built their bridges
through the air, and no rude broom dis.
t;,r!,ed them there. The rain, that fell on
roof dcca,yetl, drippcd through the ciinks
time had made, and on the whitcwashcd
tingcd with brown: the window p;.,,cs.
that icy he'd. Cold was the mating on the
floor; cold blew the breeze beneath the
door; cold were the straight backed chairs
Of wood; cold was the oaken stand that
stood on spindling legs that looked US chill
as lone, hare pines ON some bleak hill; high
rose that bed DER things below. like some
tall iceberg capped with SNOW. Here every
highly honortsi guest, when bedtime came,
retired to ..r.st."
Within its large and mouldv press hung.
Mrs. Bushy's best silk dress; her Sunday
bonnet. shoes. and shawl, OH rusty nails
against the wall, by Mr.. Busbv's suit Of
blue, that Mt his wedding had been new
Here on peg his best cravat rcposed with.
in his old fur hat; here, shut from sight OF
human eyes, were rows Of ,niuce and apple.
pies, with rolls NJ sausage and head cheese.
stored on the shelves and left to freeze.
From out her cot the maiden crept, slip
ped on her shoes and softly stepped along
the hall and through the gloom until she
reached the chilly room. Unseen she
crossed the icy floor. unheard unlocked the
closet door, snatched from the shelf, in IL
firm fold, a bag Of sausage, stiff and cold.
then turning quickly, sought to beat sud
den, safe, and sure retreat. Too late! a
light CLEANED ON the wall, and sound Of
footsteps filled the hall. then to the room
came boldly on the stalwart form Of Little.
john! She backward stepped and stood
aghast, then closed the door and held it
last.
With cha+tering teeth and trembling
frame across the floor Ivc,,runs rn,,,e