The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26
PATTY ANDREWS CHRISTMAS
STOCKING.
by RUTH HALL.

I've had q letter from Uncle joshua
Not about thu moggage? The old
skinflint.'
Mrs. Andrews turned an anxious face
from the bread she was kneatling.
No; faint notlin' o that sort. It's
a real friendly letter. He wants to
borrow our Patty for a SPELL"
BORROW Patty What in the world
well, there, You see, Polly" began
her husband, advancing with the letter
in his hand: 20. Aunt Sally lives with
i'm; hcz fer years. AM theirs her
daughter Sarah merriod lately. l
s'pose it leaves 'er sorter lonesome.
Anyways he seq he'd like tive Patty
come fer vile. It's nat'ral huff. Shell
we let 'er go?"
ooh, Amasy, ! hate tor
Eyes, we'll miss 'er; but faint fer
long. An theirs the moggage, Polly!"
II know. Well. let's leave it to
Patty"
Patty herself was not averse to the
visit; but then she never was to any
plan of her elders.
I'D JUS as lieves," she said, in her
mild little voice; and George lamented
while he wondered that he had not
been chosen instead.
So Aunt Polly packed the old
fashioned carpet-bag, and Uncle Amasa
put his small niece i'll the stagc-coach,
under the good-natured drivers care,
one frosty morning in the late fall.
Patty never forgot that brisk rolling
over the tlinty roads, the glimpses of
the ice bound river, of farm houses
nestled among leatiess trees. of now
and then child Mt window who
nodded or waved hand at her. And
then, as night fell, early and cold, they
halted before % long, low, red house,
where a single light was burning, and
IN old man in fur cap, with Ian
tern in his hand, came to the gate and
called:
"Ain't got little gul fer ME, 'ev We,
Silas?'
Hero ye be!' was the answer, and
Patty was handed down. She was SO
nearly asleep that it was like dream;
her entrance into the lighted kitchen.
her supper on kind Aunt Sally's lap,
and, finally, her tncking into bed at
that good woman's motherly hands.
But the next morning, when break
fast was over, Patty followed Uncle
Joshua ont of doors. "Kin I come
with you?' she asked, slipping her
little hand into his hard, horny palm.
II sh'd think ye'd like to stay with
Aunt Sally" lie replied, looking at her
from under his cap brim. "She's goin'
to make some pies, I guess
I'D ruther 60 with you an see the
calves. if l may?" answered his great
niece, timidly.
And so, morning after morning, Pat
ty would go to Aunt Sally with her
hood and little shawl, and, while pins
were being fastened and strings tied.
she would ask: aye don't mind eff l 20
out with Uncle joshua, do ye, Aunt
Sally"
Always the same question, and al
ways the same answer: "Lord love the
dear child, MOI" While the old woman
muttered, under her breath: "AIebbe
twill do some good. Who knows?"
Uncle Joshua always stood in the
doorway during this dialogue, with
great show OF impotence and reluct.
ance to be bothered.
Il sh'd think little gals place was
in tn house" he would remark, as he
took her hand. But he liked it. Bless
you, how lie liked it!
And soon there was not nook or
Granny in the stable and barn that had
not caught the light Of Pattys yellow
head, and heard the tender cadence of
her voice.
One day Aunt Sally accompanied
them to the pen where the great Christ
mas turkey was confined. While she
was wondering at its size and promise,
Mr.. Andrews said, suddenly:
Patty, does Your Uncle Amasy talk
much about me, dye know?' with a
malicious twinkle under his bushv eve.
brows.
Sometimes" Patty hung her head.
sob, he does, does he? What does
he call me, child?'
''.An or Duilier," said Patty, will, her
finger in her mouth.
Uncle Joshua turned and strobe
away, finging, "rhcre. now, Sallvr
over his shoulder at his llismayed sister
as he went.
Tia. night lie sat before the open
Franklin in his great rocking chair,
while Aunt Sally knitted in the corner,
and Patty, on the floor, uniace,l her
shoes preparatory to going up stairs:
"1r like us here, don't We, Patty?"
asked her uncle, finally, after long
silence.
YES, sir, G course 1 do laying her
pink check against his knee.
Uncle Joshuu's hard hand was very
light on the yellow head rs lie stroked
her hair.
AM would ye like to live with us 2"
lie asked again.
can not go home ever?"
"Why, yes-mebby-for visit. But
1--WE here"