Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-01-24

II 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 he liked it.
And soon there was not a nook or
Granny in the stable or barns that had
not caught the light of Patty's 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 It's size and promise
Mr.. Andrews said. suddenly:
Patty, does your Uncle Arnasy talk
much about me, dye know ?" with ma
liclous twinkle under his bushy eye
brows.
"Sometines." Patty hung her head.
ooh, he does, does he? What does
he call ne, child?'
can oil duffer," said Patty, with her
finger in her mouth.
Uncle Joshua turned and strobe away
hinging "ihere, now, Sallyr over his
shoulder ct his dismayed sister as he
went
That night he sat before the open
Franklin" in his great rocking chair.
while Aunt Sally knitted in the corner.
and Patty, On the floor, unlaced her
shoes preparatory to going up stairs.
eye like US here. don't ye, Patty ?"
asked her uncle, finally, after a long
silence.
eyes, sir, O course 7 do laying her
pink cheek against his knee.
Uncle Joshua's hard hand was very
iight on tho yellow head, as he stroked
her hair.
can would ye like to live with US ?"
he asked again.
can not go home ever ?"
"Why, yes-mebby-for visit. But
live here"
Patty raised her head to stare at him.
ooh, I couldn't, Uncle Joshua; not to
live, ye know. think a lot O. you an
Aunt Sally But ye know there's all
the rest o III folks-Uncle Anaasy ase
Aunt Polly and George; Georges my
brother p
Uncle Joshua drew away his hand,
and Aunt S'lly, in her corner, frowned
over her knitting.
Innocent Patty went on, presently, in
a musing tone: This place is awful
nice, but [ like Uncle Amasy's JUS ez
well, I guess, if it wasn't fer-fer th,
moggage.
"The what !"
9TH moggage we've got on our farm
t home Nike said so, an George an me
we've hunted for it lots O. tines The
childs voice had grown low and fearful.
and she knitted her brows as she spoke
"Pm scat of it, too; it's somethin' awful
George thought twas a bear. mebby.
hnt Mike he said twas more like a wolf
d ye ever see one, Uncle Joshua %
The old man did not answer. but be.
gan raking down the fire with q great
deal OF noise,
Joshua ! called his sister, winding
the clock.
''Wal y he snarled.
"Amasy Andrews ez good q mans
ever trod sole-leather. / declare fer il
it's a shame"
'Shet up, Sally! VIII ye?" Mr..
Andrews turncd upon her. "Amasv
Andrcws's a shif'Iess creature. amt
no Use fer I'm"
Patty sprang to her feet. nith her
shoes in her hand. You didn't oughte1
10 talk so!' she cried, Indignantly.
"Unc'e Amasy's so good to me r and
then she broke down and cried.
Sally, take that child to bed ~ COM
manded her uncle, and disappeared.
Patty went home soon after this; and
"heA the stage stopped at the door,
Aunt Sally held her fast, saying between
her tears. "Ye mus come ag'in, darlin'.
Promise rs We will" While uncle
= 't'A ~ NA'k'tCN III HIS CEDSS6sC tones.
90 course she'll come ag'in, Don't
i've a fooi Here, Patty, come to me.
That's somethin' to Remember bv,"
thrusting a gold piece into her hand.
An this" holding up a little package.
'ye tell yer Aunt Polly to put in your
stockin' Girls mus"
And then he took her to the stage.
When Patty showed her gifts to Aunt
Polly, at night, that worthy woman took
the money between her thumb and
finger. Lands sake!'' she cried, "ef
that don't beat all It's q fve.dollar
piece. Amasy Andrews, as sure's We live.
Who'd a thought tn or man d acted
So like folks q
Hes real good!' loyal Patty. in all
her excitement. Gid not forget TO sar.
II like Uncle Joshua fustrate. Oh, but
Aunt Polly won't Chat buy nv new
shoes 2"
The man and Woman exchanged
eiances, aud then Mrs. Andrews stoope1
and kissed her niece.
The short winter days passed quickly.