Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-11-22
On the Banks o. Loeb
Cairn.

1t was an old appearing little fig
ure that came slowly tottering down
the pathway, the halting footsteps,
stayed by the cane grasped in both
trembling hands. She was arrayed
in short quilted kirtle, and snowy
kerchief was crossed in smooth even
folds over her bosom.
The sun, great red ball of fire,
was sinking behind dark bank of
clouds just above the horizon. Two
lilac bushes met in an arch over the
gateway, end the air was filled with
the perfume of the masses of pink
and white blossoms. 1t was the first
day of May, and all nature had made
haste to be in readiness to celebrate
the natal day of the month of flow
ers, but the days merry-making had
filled poor Granny MacPherson's
heart with saddened memories of the
days past anniversaries, spent amid
the broom and heather on the slopes
of her native Scottish hills.
Twenty long years had passed
since she bade goodbye to the heath
er and bluebells that grew on the
mossy banks of Loeb Cairn, and
came with her two sons to America,
where already, they had found pros
porous homes for themselves and
families. Not without many a Sc
cret heartache, and sad misgiving,
did she yield to their united entreat-
les to leave her old home, and 60
with them to share theirs, in the new
world, but her life's companion slept
in the quiet kirkyald, and it was but
natural that her two sons, Donald
and Robert, should claim the right to
care for her in her old age. So, con-
soling herself with the thought that
it would not be long at the most, and
that heaven would be as near in
America, she bravely hid her own
feelings and came with them. The
boys Omen past the prime of life)
were loving and kind, and their fam
lilies united in welcoming and caring
for the little mother who had come
to them from over the sea. She felt
and appreciated their kindness, but
Notwithstanding, sometimes, the
painful, homesick longing for home
was almost more than the poor, tired
heart could bear; and tonight this
feeling was strong upon her, as she
stood by the gate, gazing with tear
dimmed eyes up into the starry heav-
ems that, just as bright, looked down
upon the distant Auchdown parish.
In youth the heart is like young
and tender vine whose clinging ten
drills may be untwined and taught to
wind themselves anew about new
surroundings, but in old age the hu-
man heart cllngs to, and will not lei
90 the old familiar things, and the
scenes and associations we have
known and loved when life was fresh
est and happiest, seem little near
er and dearer than any others wher
y life's sun is slanting to the west.
f. Back, back, over the space of th'
: years between, went memory, ant
Is Granny forgot that the night air wa:
cold and damp, that she would b'
u missed and sought for; forgot all
save the aching pain in her heart
and the hopeless longing to lay he
er tired head upon a low green mound
ve in the shadow of the kirk near blu
m Loeb Cairn. why, o why. had sh
ever left 1t, but the lads meant kind
IN w. she thought, 'and both had gon,
=. to heaven before her.
u The time of waiting seemed S
long, so very long. Would the en-
:. never come, when she would find he
IS loved ones again?' Such were he
IS thoughts, when Margie reached tn
gate, ,Margie and her husband Frank
n "If there isn't Granny, waiting t
w welcome us!' she cried, and the
~ two warm, loving arms were claspe
around the little woman and war;
ID kisses were pressed upon each fade'
to cheek. "Crying, Granny What
he it? Tell Margie, won't you?''
"a 81 ken it maun be foolish, but IN
heart, it is sac weary and sore, W
tG the longing for a sight a the aul
ST hame, | could ma help it p
at She had never meant to say S
" much, had never meant to complai
or repine, but there, beneath the Ii
Ct lacs, the pent-up feelings relieve
~ themselves, and both Frank an
Id Margie guessed all the rest. Ten
l derly supported on either side, the
ou led her into the house, and it wa
Margie's first homecoming since sh
~ had been bride, six months before
T. Exclamations of surprise and de
ur light greeted the travellers, and gran
tn ny crept away to her quiet corner
but her heart had been warmed an
he cheered by loving words and tn
ey clinging kisses. Margie's was on
y, no of those rare, bright souls, tina
ke warm and brighten all about them
N. and none could ever resist her sum
spell.
"Oh, girls!" she exclaimed whe
a the clamor had subsidized, and some
4 thing like order had been restored
'il' ''just try and guess what good for
., tune has befallen me, and what bro
us home in SUCH hurry
IN 81 give 1t up," said her sister An