Daily Yellowstone journal., 1884-02-02
I would play checkers with him.

| iguess yoV uohI refnemberN New Years
day, do You, Bennyf' said Aunt Becky.
"Well,' said with a pretty cool imita-
ton Of surprise aud shame, that 30. I de-
clare came near PLAYING checkers, never
once thinking it WIS New Years day How
i lied! Only didn't know that checkers
we've taboued on such occasions in TamaIack
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, 30 pretended not to
hear Bobby.
Ma, dominoes are all right, Amt theyr
ayes; you can play iomnoes, Of course"
said Aunt Becky.
"Domnoes." echoed, as II lad lust
caught Bobby's question. On, yes: domi.
inoes are all right
so Bobby and went 10 the kitchen. and
as PASSED through the door I left it open
little, for | was resolved 10 ,ee how widower
Of W and widow Of 30 odd wouli make
love after ten years u courtship. drew the
table near the door, where could hear and
see what was going on in tina sitting-room,
and Bobby brought cut the harmless dom.
noes. made 80 many errors that the little
fellow had no trouble in beating me, which
made him happy to continue, and 80 served
my purpose.
Deacon Posison sat there twirliny his hat
and looking into the fire. Aunt Becky leanei
hack comfortably in her char and looked
al the ceiling. Not word was spoken Tor A
long, long time. Presently Aunt Becky he
gan TO rock back and forth AMI hum good old
'Coronatlon" softly and slowly, AMI, after a
few measures. Deacon Poison broke in with
his cracked lass. out Of tune and out of
time, but somehow, after all. lin pleasing
harmony. For a long time they sat and
bummed 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. I thought she ought /
TO be married. ami that Deacon Poison 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 sIed along a. the two old lovers sat
and sang, yet the deacon, who had come only
to wish happy New Year made no sien Of
going. The sun had Travelled quarter round
the house just TO get q peep in at the little
west window and see this comfortable old
couple; and the sight was worth all the trou-
BILE of subiuing the snowstorm for the pur.
pose Then, when the sun had doJRed he
hind the leafless orchard, and finally hidden
hs blg, red face behind the little knoll where
sleep the dead Of Tamarack. the scene he
came even more peaceful. The warm glow
d the hire filled the room with lovers light.
ana saw Deacon Poison's hand steal over
Md close upon the long, slender fingers of
Ills satisfied old sweetheart This was all
NO rapturous embraces. no lingering
.isses spoiled the peaceful scene. Aunt
Secky's face, touched by the CLEAN
rom he window in the stove.
eeu,~i 50 full II tender love ami
'ehil" Sa'i'fntion that saii to myself We
Dung people do not know what real. CON-
ortabie love Is Never again eau le.irve
nat true love does not run smoothly. Its
h. hev'iay Iassion If youth that fiuds OBJ
'rucfions IN its cours', but the steady cur.
rnt 1T Aunt Beckys love, as sbe sat there
md In hand with Deacon Poison, flowed ON
grandly and serenely a. . mighty river
NJ Of torrent time. 4
AT last III" darkness closed in upon them
nd with Bobby fast ASLEEP in his chair, I had
lly to listen. Was il wicked thus 10 play
'e caves iropperi Perhaps so. Thought 20;
nj doubt not that was my prevailing
's~,n for doing il.
How long Is it since Sister Polsn rns.ed
sayf asked Becky. with quivering t,u,ler.
~ Df tone.
ITS nigh ON sixteen year now" replied the
aeon, with a heavy sigh which was echoed
! Aunt Becky.
SISTER Poison was such u dear good SOUL" >
III aint B,rky, softly, 1T seemed q pity we
uIdnf aked her always But Gods will
done,
"fe' Coils will H. d"ne.r repeated Deacon
'tsnn, with an,tlnq .hepslrawn sigh.
"Sbe was NJ hvin'.lk-. and good" said tbs
NJ obi WOMAN, Without shade Of that
'lo'sy wliirh ,hriyas tbs heartless compli-
mt "i younger women under such colldi.
Ms.
Yes. Sister Rog-s, she WAS
ttli me B"ky, beacon Poison"
An yon'll call mc Josiif'
Yes, J-J-Joshua, and know Aunt Becky
her gingbam apron up 10 her face. Ten
ne Of courtship, and doubt not this was y.
hrst time she nal q dressed him by his
ristian name. thou hit surely the deacon Ito
uld see his chance aud throw both aims
'nnd her neck, FOL her to his big breast, =
say: "My Becky, my own, own Becky" III
At Is about what should have done, but
icon POdson is older than I, and has passed
gushing point OF life.
u hey been a-thhkin' about sonethin' o
, long time, Sister Bo-that is, B.Beck.y
, ben a-thinkin' thet-' e
hat ON earth could tho man be waiting -
Had he faintedi Hal his tongue been par.
led Wy the burden thrown upon III 1
incl my ear, but could catch no sound.
q, long, oh, how provokiugly long the
ace dragged. At last heard kiss yes,
uii not have been mistaken 1t must have
. kiss-and then "a few soft sobs that -
Of tears Of Joy in Aunt Becky's eyes -
their souls read each other Ia the dark
, aud flowed together I'm eloquent silence
heir cheeks lay Coo against eaca otheri -
ust have been 10, for after Deacon Pod
hal gone away, Aunt Becky stood and Ill
ed out at the window q long tim; and VI
u she turned back anl lighted the lamp
Ut Bobby to bed there were tears In her
and happy smile ON her lips that
1ly said blessing from the god Of love