The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-05

"Don't all this remind you little bit
of the old story of the priest and the
devil"
"But, Frank, when I've invited all the
neighbors"
"Yes, exactly So" said Frank, twist
ing the end of his red comforter around
his finger. "'Who is my neighbour
That's Just the question that the parable
was intended to answer"
Lizzie stood minute, silently think
ing. =.
"Don't put yourself out, my dear"
said the Captain; "she can get lodgings
at the Wharf easily enough. But she's
very old and feeble, and"
II understand" interrupted Lizzie;
'and she's my nelghbor. I'll go back,
Frank, and warm up one of my chicken
pies for supper. I didn't intend to have
anything but bread aud butter and cold
pigs feet, but of course she is tired and
chilled, poor creature"
"That's my own little grill" said
Frank, with caressing touch to the
stray locks which had escaped, like rings
of spun gold from the border of Lizzie's
red. worstcd hood. 81 know just how
this sort of thing puts you housekeepers
out, but somehow felt sorrow for The
old lady,"
But Lizzie could not help marveling
little when Miss Barby Babcock arrived
on the scene. She was little, dried-up
old creature, with black, restless eyes,
a cinnamon -colored 'front.'" and nose
and chin that met in close proximity.
$50 you are Mary Smiths darter, are
YOU" said she. II can jest remember
you when you were leetle girl, knee
high to a grasshoppcr, sewin' patch
work. Well, m glad L thought of comm
here to spend Thauksgivin'. Sea air al
ways did agree with me, and that's
dreadful nice craft that your husband is
the skipper of. l shouldn't WONDER
she added, as she began on her second
wedge of chicken-pie, ''if I made up my
mind to spend the winter here, and
finish my silk curtains. Pm a-makin'
silk curtains, Elizabeth Ann-sewin'
strips of silk together, just like you sew
carpet .rags-and when it's all done, Pm
goin' to borrow pesire Johnson's old
room and weave 'em up into the prettiest
silk curtains you ever set eyes on. It'll
be pie SAINT winters work for you and
me-won't it, Elizabeth Ann: P'raps
you've got some old silk gowns you
could sparei" she added, wistfully. II
need little dark blue and satfron-colo
terror. cotter they call it nowadays.
Works in dreadful nice"
Lizzie looked bewildered: but the
captain cheerily threw himself into the
breach.
"Oh, we haven't arrived at the
dignity of silk gowns yet, have we,
Lizzie2" sail he. ''Take some of these
crab-apples, Mss Babcock. They're
very fine."
The old woman sat down in the warm
freight, rubbing her wrinkled hands
together. -.
7'It's warm and comfortable here" !"
said she. 81 wonder Inever thought of
comm to Elizabeth AIMS before. De-
sire Johnson didn't want me. She said
old folks was too much care. Lucy
Wilcox was too fine lady to notice her
old Aunt Barby; and my Cousin Max
well as good as turned me out of doors.
But EliIabeth Ann is her mother right
over again--1hc kindest- hearted creetur
that ever breathed. I'm glad I come
here to Thanksgivin'. I guess I'll
stay"
She said all this aloud, in her strange,
croaking voice, although she evidently
imagined that she was only thinking it.
"Frank," whispered Mrs. Eston,
smuggling close up to her husband, 'I
think she is flighty. She's so very old,
you know; she must be eighty, at the
very least
"Who is my neighbor9" Frank re-
spouded, softly. 81 think your duty IS
plain in this in.tance, my dear."
The little old relation was busy sew
ing at her balls of partl-colored SILK
strips when the Thanksgiving company
arrived, next day, and she eagerly in
terviewed them as to the cast-of silk
dress question.
Each was OF different opinion, but all
were adverse to the stranger.
.I.izzic, wouldn't stand it." cried
Mrs. Howard, gay young neIShbor.
can old crone like that. 10 come here
and settle right down on you, like the
Old Woman of the Sea! Why, / never
heard such impudcncc in my life"
Aunt Rhoda shook her he'd so!cmnly.
"Barbara Babcocll used to visit
around in York state" sad she, when
lived there. She was Il dreadful trial,
and there warn't nonc of her relations
but was glad 10 be rid OF hr:. | wouldn't
like to undertake the care Of hcr!"
"Hut she's old. lihnda," said Uncie
J.emuc!: and she's had a stroke or two.
folks say dunno wiat's to become If
her ef Eli .abcth Ann sends her away"
81 won't send her away" said Lizzie.
"She shall have q home here. Frank
doe MT OBJ cct, and we may be feeble and
frinndcss ourselves some day"
"Frank don't know what he's under
talin'," said Aunt Rhoda II hain't as
much patience with the old creetur' as I
should hev had, et she hadn't squandered
away all her money, buyin' lottery
tickets. She wouldn't hear to no ones
advice. Barbara Babcock was as
obstinate as mule"