The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-04-01

pail, be slowly shuffled outof doors and
went TO do the evening chcres. 2 - = -
Close by the -fireTG6t's cheerful glare
Lycurgus drew the Neasv-chair. The
sayory steam of chickens slain came
from the black pot on. the crane The
kettles merry song he heard; upon, the
hearth the gray cat purred; while, by
the chlmney-corner snug. the house dog
dozed upon the rug. Among the CHM
ney-plece OF wood an idle row OF flat
irons stood, two candlesticks. in bright
array, q palr of shutters and tray. The
time-worn clock licked slowly on; 1t
istruck the hours forever gone. Forever
gone" it seems to say4s7Forever gone,Y
from day to day, in its tall case o.
sombre hue-twas fifty years since IL
and high, the looking-gIass WIS hung,
near by; brazen bird with wings out
spread, perched on the scroll-work over
head; beneath. shelf, the common home
of family Bible, brush, and comb; above,
from iron hooks were hung long frames,
with apples thickly strung, and, fixed
upon the wall to dry, were wreaths of
pumpkin kept for pie
Forth from the buttry, to the ire,
came Aunt Rebecca Mcintyre, a'swaliow
spinster.. somewhat old. whose mellow
ace was seldom told: her hair was gray,
her nose was thin, it nearly touched he5
toothless chin. Lies weary WORK anu
constant care had worn face that once
STAIR ~ A. 80 A. e. ,.s2I-A 80
: Each Sabbath morn, from spring 20
/ spring. within the choirshe used 10 snug
in ancient bonnet, cloak. and gown, the
oldest relics IN the town; beside the
chorister she stood, and always dld the
best she could, and, while with tnnlng-
fork, he led, she marked his movements
with her head, her nasal voice rose sharp
and queer above the deeP-toned VOL
near. ..e
She took the black pot from the crane,
removed the kettle from the chain, and
made the tea and -chicten-broth, drew
outefhe table, spread the cloth; then,
from the table, bright andnew, brought
the best china edged with blue.
The chores We're done. the feast was
spreads all took their seits and grace
was said. They ate the savory chicken
stew, so juicy and 50 we'll cooked
through: before them, rich round dump
hngs. swan. on steaming plates.
with cold boiled ham, with feathery
biscuit, warm and light. with cnrrant
jam and honey, white aud cr0wning all
a good supply of yellow, neatly pump
kin-pie. Where such bounteous feast
Is found. who would not teach and
"board aroupd?'
a. The supper .dones the father. took from
OF It's shelf, tie sacred Book, and read of
one who stilled the sea one stormy night
in Galilee; then, kneeling down before
his chair, he asked the heavenly Shep-
herds care.
Soon from the group, with drowsy
heads, the children started for their
beds: took off the little shoes they wore,
and7left them on the kitehenlfioOr, then,
bidding all aifond %good night, with
aIatteriug feet, they passed from sight
Deartlittle feet, how soon they stray
from the old farmhouse farraway: how
soon they leave the family fold to walk
the shining. stFeets,0f lgold. where every
hope is real and sure; where every heart
is kind and pure; where every dream is
bright and fair.zQi may we meet our
loved ones Nierei - 1a
The farmer left his coy seat, with
Gathering slippers on his feet, went to
the cellar 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, 10y the warm fires rud-
dy light, they fingered until late at
night, strange legends told, and tales
that made them all feel nervous and
afraid.
But Aunt Rebeeca watched in vain
the curling smoke above the crane she
nodded. -dozed, began to spore, she
dropped her KNIT Ting floor, awoke,
I Fs5 $ys %ifSdl 5s@v and 'asYs s.
L IL
the lone chamber where she slept, and
close the window-curtains drew, to screen /
herself from outward view. She stopped
candle on the floor, looked meath the
valance-half afraid to find a man IN
ambuscade; then sitting down, aside
with care she laid her garments on &
chair, Slipped on her ghostly robe OF
white, took off her shoes, blew ont the
light. then, in the darkness, from her
head removed her wig and went to bed,
curled up, with chilly sobs and signs, and
shut her drowsy eyes.
Poor single souls who sleep alone. the
night wind hath a dismal tone to
your lone ears--you start with fear at
every midnight sound yOu hear, when |
late at night with weary heads you creep I
into your weary beds. The nights seem /
long. your lips turn blue, your feet grow /
cold-you know they dol
q She slept at last ; she heard once more 7
the ripple break upon the shore again |
she sat upon the strand, and some one /
,lasped her fair young hand, and words /
were whispered IN her ear that long ago /
she loved to hear, and, starting up, she /
cried in glee: g Iknew you would come /
back to srne ~ She woke. fAlasl no I
love was there. Her thin arms clasped 4
he vacant air. Twas but dream. She !
ived alone. Without she heard the night /
wind moan. while on the window-panes
he snow was wildly beating. From be- /
ow the smothered sound of voices came .
vheh still with Busby's social dame.
Their guest sat by the fading FIRE and /
its heeting flame expire while /
he listened, but no word they uttered I.
,orld be clearly heard but soon'a recoI- /
ection came that sent shudder through I
Ter frame-the sausage to be fried at /
norm. the BREAKFAST table to aClorn. was (
n the bedroom where their guest would 4
Don betake himself to rest The clock 4
truck ten, she. softly said, "Iu get it
re he goes to bed.
The spare bed stood within room as
hill and humid as tomb twas never
ire9 twas seldom swept In its damp
orners spiders crept; they built their
ridges through the air, and no rude
room disturbed them there. The rain,
hat fell on roofdecayed, dnpped through /
he chinks that time had made, and on
he whitewashed walls ran down IN Won
lrous frescoes tingedswith brown; the /
gipdow-panes,7 with, frost o'erspread, I
we're warmer. than that icy bed. Cold /
vas the mating on the floor cold blew
he breeze beneath the door cold We're
he straightforward chairs of wood cold /
vas the oaken stand that stood on spind-
ing legs that looked as chill as lone, bare I
oines on some bleak hill high rose that
bed DER things below, like some tall ice
oergl capped with snow. Here every
highly honored guest, when bedtime
anne, retired to crest.
Within its large and moldy press hung
We ~. III 49,. Ia~~ I