The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-08-15
IN BUTTERFLY TIME.
After Forty Years Of Faithful
Waiting.

"Seems to me the butterflies is dretful
thick this season, Bccca."
IVES, they do seem to be considerable
thick, mother"
81 never see 'em so thick. Thar's hull
swarms on 'em: lots ofthem common vaIIar
ones, an laetle 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-scttiu' on that head of clover
Yes, there is one, mother"
"Ihar's lots of grGsshDpperS, too. The
grasshoppers air a-risin' up around NV
feet, an the butterflies air flynn up in my
lace out OF the flowers. LOT, hev we got 10
the bars already: hadn't no idee ont.
BE keerIul about leUtin' 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
1 see. Thar amt nothiG' in the field to git
out but the butterflies an the gra shoppers,
an they'll git out if they want to, whether
or no. Let me take holt"
There amt any need of it, mother"
"Yes, [ will, too, Becca Wheat. Pm jest
rs strong in my arms as ever | was. You
FAINT no call to think amt"
Il don't think 50, mother; know you're
real strong"
II alters was pretty strong to lift
stronger'n you"
The bars up, the two women kept on
down the road 1t was bordered bv stone
walls and towering bushes. Ahead. inst
as far as they could see. was one white
house. They were going there TO 4
women's pray meeting.
The older of the two kept a little ahead
of the younger, trotting weakly THROUGH
the short dusty Grass Her small ola
head in black straw bonnet hobbed in
time to every step; her sharp, yellow little
face peeped out of the bonnet, alert and
half aggressive She wore a short blacI,
shawl tightly drawn over her narrow. virv
back, and held her hands folded Drimlv in
front over the two ends.
The other woman, her daughter, pacing
dreamilv behind. was taller and sIenderar
Her face was pale and fuIl. but sIigbtIv
wrinkled, with a sweet. wide month. The
pleasant expression about if was 50 do
cided that it was almost n smile Her
dress was SLIGHTLY Younger. n hat instead
of a bonnet. and no shawl over her black
calico afternoon dress
As they drew nearer TO the bouse tba old
woman peered anxiouslv ahead throunh
her spectaclcs
See anv one thar, Becca?o
81 should think two women lest went in.
1 couldn't tell who thew was
YOU'D orter wear your spectac1es
Becca, your eyesight amt so GOOD "a nine
was at your ace, She's rot her front
room omen for fbe meetin,. kin see fin a
curtains AaDDin,,,
Quite a strong soft wind was blowino
AS they went IN the front walk between
the phiox bushes with their purplisb- mink
heads. the Green curtains with a fowarv
border swung ont of the windows Of Mrs.
Thomas best room, the one on the RIGHT Of
the front door.
The door stood omen. and a mildly crrious
face or two showed throuoh the yyindovs
"Thar,s old Mis-, Wheat an Becca,n 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. "G6od- afternoon
Mis-; Wheat" said she: "rood- afternoon
Becca. Walk inn
They walked i'm with stoid demeanor. and
took their seats. The chairs were soft Close
to the walls around the room. There wore
nine or ten women there with GOOD. crave
faces. One old woman sat close To The