The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-03-31

Close by the nr6ngnIS cneef1ul glare
Lycurgus drew the easy-chair. The
savory 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 chimney-corner snug, the house dog
dozed upon the rug. Among the CHM
ney-piece of wood an idle row of fiat
irons stood, two candlesticks in bright
array, q pair Of shutters and a tray. The
time-worn clock licked slowly on; it
struck the hours forever gone. Forever
gone" it seems to say-.'Foreyer gone,"
from. day to day, in its tall case OF
sombre hue-'twas fifty years since it
was new. Between the windows, small
and high, the looking-glass was hung,
near by; q brazen bird with wings out
spread, perched on the scroll-work over
head; beneath. a shelf, the commonhome
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 fire,
came Aunt RebeccaM Mcintyre, a swallow
~spinster, somewhat old, whose mellow
AGE was seldom told; her hair wa gray,
her nose was thin, it nearly touched her
toothless chin. Life's weary WORK n
constant care had worn a q that once
was fair.
Each Sabbath morn, from spring TO
spring. within the choir she used to sing,
in ancient bonnet, cloak, and gown, the
| Oldest relics in the town; beside the
ehorister she stood, and always did the
best she could, and, while with tuning
fork, he led, she marked his movements
with her head, her nasal voice rose sharp
and queer above the deep-toned viol
lear. =
She took the black potfrom the crane,
removed the kettle fromsthe chain, and
made 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, the feast was
spread; all took their seats and grace
was said.s They ate the savory chicken
stew, so Juicy and SO well cooked
through; before them, rich round dump
lings swan, on steaming plates,
with cold boiled ham, with feathery
biscuit, warm and light, with currant
jam and honey, white and browning all
q good supply of yellow, neatly pump
kin-pie. Where such a bounteous feast
is found, who would not teach and
aboard around?"
The supper done, the father took from
off its shelf, the sacred Book, and read Of
one who stilled the sea n 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,
and left them on the kitchen floor, then
bidding all fond ''good night" witt
pattefing feet, they passed ffom sight.
Dear little feet, how soon they stray
from the old farmhouse far away; how
soon they leave the family fold to wall
the shining streets of gold, where ever,
hope is real and sure; where every hear
is kind and pure; where every dream i
bright and fair,-O! may we meet oul
loved ones therel
The farmer left his coy seat, will
Gathering slippers on his feet, went t
the cellar where he drew a mug of cider
sweet and new, and from his broad bin
brought the best and ripest apples 10
his guest. Then, by the warm fires rud
dy light, they fingered until late a
night, strange legends told, and tale
that made them all feel nervous an,
afraid.
But "Aunt Rebecca watched in val
the curling smoke above the crane ; sh
nodded, dozed, began to snore, sh
dropped her knitting on the floor, awoke
her eyelids heavier grew, arose and 81
lently Withdrew.
Along the creaking stairs she crept, t
the lone chamber where she slept, an
close the window-curtains drew, to scree.
herself from outward view. She stoppe
the key-hole of the door, she set tn
candle on the floor, looked meath tn
valance-half afraid to find q man i
ambuscade then sitting down, .asid
with care she laid her garments on
chair, slipped on her ghostly robe c
white, took off her shoes. blew out tn
light, then, in the darkness, from he
head removed her wig and went to bed
curled up, with chilly sobs and signs, an
~quivering shut her drowsy eyes.
Poor single souls who sleep alone, tn
night wind hath a dismal tone t
your lone ears-you start with fear 6
every midnight sound you hear, whe
ldbo db I1Sut WAon hOdAJ AOnuo yOu OiCC
into your weary beds. The nights seen
long, your lips turn blue, your feet gro
cold-you know they do
She slept at last she heard once MOI
the ripple break upon the shore agai
she sat upon the strand, and some on
clasped her fair young hand, and word
were whispered in her ear that long ag
she loved to hear, and, starting up, sh
nrio1 ~ pIoo 1. sc 7 Ennry Won ruO11I1 oano
Back to me-" She woke. Alas n
the vacant air. Twas but a dream. Sh
wind moan, while on the window-pane
the snow was wildly beating. From b.
low the 'smothered sound of voices can
when still with Busby's social dame
Their guest sat by the fading fire al
watched its heeting flame expire Will
she listened, but no word they uttere
could be clearly heard ; but soon a reco
lection came that sent q shudder throug
her frame-the sausage to be fried /
morn, the BREAKFAST table to adorn, we
in the bedroom where their guest woul
soon betake himself to rest. The cloc
struck ten, she softly said, "Iu get
ere he goes to bed"
The spare bed sbood W1tnln b room u
chill and humid as a tomb twas neve
aired, twas seldom swept I; in its dam
corners spiders crept; they built the
bridges through the air, and no rue
broom disturbed them there. The rail
that fell on roof decayed, dripped throug
the chinks that time had made, and c
, the whitewashed walls ran down in wol
, drous frescoes tinged with brown /; th
! window-panes, with frost o'ersprea,
, were warmer than that icy bed. Co
. was the mating on the floor !; cold BILE
the breeze beneath the door; cold wei
) the straightforward chairs of wood col
was the oaken stand that stood on spint
ling legs that looked as chill as lone, bal
pines on some bleak hill ; high rose thl
bed DER things below, like some tall ic
berg capped with Here evel
= highly honored guest, when. bedtin
. came. retired to "rest."