The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-13
IN BUTTERFLY TIME.
After Forty Years Of Faithful
Waiting.

"seems to me the butterflies is dretful
thick this season, Becca."
"Yes, they do seem to be considerable
thick, mother"
II never see 'em so thick. Thar's hull
swarms on 'em: lots of them common yallar
ones, an leetle rusty red ones; an thar's
some of them big spotted ones, amt thar:
Near's kin see through my specs, thar's
one now a-settin' on that head of clover.''
'Yes, there is one, mother"
''Thar's lots of grasshoppers, too. The
grasshoppers air a-risin' up around my
feet, an the butterflies air fiyin' up in my
face out of the flowers. Lor, hev we got to
the bars already? hadn't no idee ont
BE keerful about lettin' on 'em down,
Becca."
The younger of the two old women let
down the bars which separated the bloom
ing field which they had been traversing
from the road, and they passed through.
'S'pOse you'd better put 'em up agin,
Becca, though thar amt any need ont, as
see. Thar amt nothiG' in the field to git
out but the butterflies an the grasshoppers,
an they'll git out if they want to, whether
or no. Let me take holt"
"There amt any need of it, mother"
eyes, will, too, Becca Wheat. Pm jest
'ain't no call to think amt"
IL don't think so, mother; L know you're
real strong"
Il alters was pretty strong to lift
stronger'n you"
The bars up, the two women kept on
down the road. 1t was bordered by stone
walls and Towering bushes. Ahead, just
as far as they could see, was one white
house. They were going there to q
women'S prayer-meeting.
The older of the two kept little ahead
of the younger, trOtting weakly through
the short, dusty grass. Her small old
head in a black straw bonnet bObbed in
time to every step; her sharp, yellow little
face peeped out of the bonnet, alert and
half aggressive. She wore short black
shawl tightly drawn over her narrow, wiry
back, and held her hands folded primly in
front over the two ends.
The other woman, her daughter, pacing
.dreamily behind. was taller and slenderer.
Her face was pale and full, but slightly
wrinkled, with a sweet, wide mouth. The
pleasant expression about it was so de-
cided that it was almost smile. Her
dress was slightly younger, a hat instead
of a bonnet, and no shawl over her black
calico afternoon dress.
As they drew nearer to the house the old
woman peered anxiously ahead through
her spectacles.
''See any one thar, Becca:"
81 should think two women jest went in.
/ couldn't tell who they was"
You'd orter wear your spectacles,
Becca, your eyesght amt so good as mine
was at your age. She's got her front
room open for the meetin'. kin see the
curtains flappin'."
Quite strong soft wind was blowing.
AS they went up the front walk between
the phlox bushes with their purplsh- pink
heads, the green curtains with a fiowery
nEar Of fkax ,lo,.- -
Thomas best room, the one on the right of
the front door.
The door stood open, and a mildly curious
face or two showed through the windows
"Thar's old Mis- Wheat an Becca," said
some one in a whisper to Mrs. Thomas, and
she came to the door.
There was a solemn composure on her
large, comfortable face. 'Good- afternoon,
Mis- Wheat" said she; 'good- afternoon,
Becca. Walk in"
They walked in with staid demeanor, and
took their seats. The chairs were set close
TO the walls around the room. There were
nine or ten women there with good, grave
faces. One old woman sat close to the
mantle-she and Mrs. Wheat took a va
can't chair beside her.
''How dive do, Mis- Dill?" whispered she,
reaching out her little skinny hand.
The other shook il stiffiy. She was as
small as Mrs. Wheat, but her little face
was round, and her chin had square de-
ciSion in its cut, instead of a sharp one.
She had clean, nicely folded white hand
kerchiet in her lap, and she wiped her
spectacles carefully with it and looked
through them at Mrs. Wheat before reply
ing.
"I'm enioyiu' pretty good health Jest
now, thankee, Mis- Wheat" )" whispered She
Mrs. Wheat's eyes snapped. "You do
seem to be lookin' pretty middlin' for one
of your age" said she.
Mrs. Dill gave stony look at her.
The meeting began then. The good
women read in the Bible and prayed, one
after another, the others silent on their
knees beside her. Their husbands and
soas in the hay fields, the children in the
district school, the too light minded though
innocent village girls, the minister wrest-
ling with his dull sermon faithfully in his
shabby study, the whole world, were re-
Inembered in their homely petitions
Old Mrs. Wheat, in her corner, on her
knees, listened with an outward show of
reverence, but she was inwardly torn with
jealousy. She was the last one called upon
TO take part: even old Mrs. Dill was pre-
ferred before her. But she had her re-
venge; when she did get her chance to
speak, long and weary was the time she
kept the devout sisters on their aching
knees.
She had been storing up good deal to
say while the others were praying, and
now she said it. For church and town and
commonwealth, for missions at home and
abroad, her shrill cry went up. Lastly
she prayed, with emphatic quavers, for
old Mrs. Dill. so Lord, !" pleaded she, ''re-
member, we pray Thee, this aged hand
maiden at my side. May she long enjoy
what blessin's are left to her in her age an
decrepitood. Sanctify her trials unto her,