Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-02-14
AUNT BECKY'S BEAU.
rBen Wilde In Chicago Newa)

(Ben Wylde In Chicago Newal
Aunt Becky, who has not nephew or
aiece In the world, but is aunt to everybody.
pressed me 90 hard that remained over New
Years day at her house. Aunt Becky h tho
woman who was present On salary, the morn
ing was born, and who blew In my face and
helped me to catch the breath that l didn't
know how 10 catch alone; 50 feel that there
was some truth in the yarns they used TO tell
mo about Aunt Becky being my "other
mother" She remained at our house 30 long
that had begun to toddle and knew how
bo feel deeply grieved when sho went away
10 be married to Duncan Boggs, tho wsn-to-
do Tamarack farmer, who was killed BY .
threshing machine the next summer.
Yesterday, ~ We sat By hor warm dro
eating doughnuts and drinking cider, there
came rap at the side door. Bobby, bright
lad whom Aunt Becky adopted from found
Gngs' homo some seven or eight years ago,
Ean to the window and popped out
"Its Deacon Podson," said the boy, loud
enough, I am SURE, for the deacon to hear II
his ears had not been muffed In long,
crocheted dppet that went around his neck
and over his head nobody dare guess how
many times.
When Aunt Becky went to tho door to let
the deacon IN, Bobby ran up to mo and
whispered: "That's mas beau"
had mot the deacon before. Indeed, he
has been Aunt Beckys beau for some ton
years now, and have met him at her house
on the occasion of each OF my annual visitA
Moreover. have often thought Aunt Becky
would like to marry him II he only had spunk
enough to ask her about 1t
Deacon Podson il tall man, with should
ers as round - Atlas. and perhaps from q
somewhat similar cause, since the Affairs Of
Tamarack, which amount in his estimation
10 whele world Of Affairs rest mainly on
him. He Is chairman Of the village board,
one Of the school directors, chief pillar OF
the church, and master Of ceremonies at al
times and in all places. don't wonder that
he il round-shouldered. For five years, to
my knowledge, he has been nigh onto g."
which leads me to believe that he Is not far
from that age, either one side or tho other Of
It As be came into the room he began to
unroll and unravel and untwist the hong
tippst from his neck, speaking not word
Then he took OF his outside coat and laid 1t,
sll snowy over the coal box In the corner.
Presently lie happened to think to take OF
his hat, and he held It In his hand ~ he said:
slow dy dol"
SLOW d'y dor said Aunt Becky.
'Uncle Bon is here. =" said little Bobby, call
ing the deacon's attention to me.
1How d'y dor said the deacon, standing
with his hat in bis hand, and looking like
great hulk Of q boy about to speak piece to
his first audienea
Won't you take q chesrr asked Aunt
Becky. pushing big rocker near The stove.
NO, can Sot here just as WE'LL replied
the deacon, confusedly, as he lot himself
down on corner Of tho coal box.
you'd tettar take the cheer" urged Aunt
Becky.
"Waal, I don't care Il I do"
Aunt Becky drew up her old fashioned
sewing CHAIR. and the two put their feet on
the stovehearth, pretty pear each other A
long, embarrassing silence followed, during
which Deacon Podson warmed his hands by
the stove, and rubbed them together, with
few grunts aud phews, as II he were very
cold.
"ls 1t 90 ooid outf' asked
"Torable cold, " said the deacon
Another long silence.
.How hsv you bsenr asked Aunt Becky.
"Oh, toA'abta"
After more oppressive silence the deacon
arose erom his char and said: "Wanl, Just
come over 70 say wist you happy New Year"
-Waal waal, you hAint . goiT yit," said
Aunt Becky. ALAw sakcsl you hain't but just
come"
The deacon sat down again. He hadn't IN
tended to 90, but the poor man hod to say
sou,sthins.
Ibagan to think IL was occasion when two
are company and three or four arc none, 30
told Bobby If he would come out In the kitchen
would play checkers with him.
Il guess you don't remember it's New Years
day, do you, BennyY said Aunt Becky.
0Well" said with a pretty good irnita-
ton Of surprise and shame, "that' so. de-
clare tcame near playing checkers. never
once thinking it was New Years day." How
! iedI Only didn't know that checkers
were tabooed on such occasions in Tamarack
or should never have suggested the game.
I'VE can play dominoes, though, can't We,
Uncle BENZ"
wasn't dead sure whether dominoes were
in the prescribed list, SO pretended not to
bear Bobby.
MA, dominoes are all right, amt theyr
1Yes; you can play dominoes, Of course"
said Aunt BECKY.
"Dominoes!" I echoed, as II had Just
caught Bobbys question. "Oh. yes; domi-
noes are all right
So Bobby and went to tho kitchen, and
as passed through the door left 1t open a
little, for was resolved TO see how a widower
Of 80 and widow Of 50 odd would make
love after ten years Of courtship. drew the
table near the door, where coah hear and
see what was going on in the sittjng-roonl,
aud Bobby brought out the harmless domi-
noee made 50 many er1ors that the little
fellow had no trouble in beating me. which
made him happy to continue, and 20 served
my purpose
Deacon Podson sat there twtrling bis hat
and looking into the fire. Aunt Becky leaned
back comfortably In her chair and looked
al the ceiling. Not word was spoken for q
long, long time Presently Aunt Becky be-
gan to rock back and forth and hum good old
Coronation" softly and slowly, and, after
few measures, Deacon Poison broke In with
his cracked bass out Of tune and out Of
time. but somehow, after all, in pleasing
harmony. For q long time they sat dnd
hummed that simple, old tune, the humping
Of Aunt Beckys loose rocker marking the
time, her voice creaking and scraping over
the highest notes, but her heart full OF the
sweet, peaceful music. l thought she ought
to be married, and that Deacon Podson ought
always to stay right there and blunder his
bass notes In, rough though they were,
to give tonic to Aunt Becky's weaker tones.
Time sped along as the two old lovers sat
and sang, yet the deacon, who had come only
to wish happy New Year, made NO sign Of
going. The sun had Travelled quarter round
the house Just to get a peep iu at the little
west window and see this comfortable old
couple; and the sight was worth all the trou-