The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-12-07

Lizzie looked bewildered: but the
captain cheerily threw himself into the


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,
LizzieF' said he Take some of these
crab-apples, Miss Babcock They're
very fine"
The old woman sat down in the warm
freight, rubbing her wrinkled hands
together.
IT'S warm and comfortable here, -
said she. "a wonder never 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 Elizabeth Ann is her mother right
over again-the kindest hearted crectur
that ever breathed. I'm gla,i come
here to Thanksgivin'. 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. Elston,
smuggling close up to her husband, al
think she is Eighty. She's so very old,
you know; she must be eighty, at the
very least"
'Who is my neighbour Frank re-
sponded, softly. a. think your duty Is
plain in this instance, my dear"
The little old relation was busy sew
ing at her balls of partI-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
wee adverse TO the stranger
Lizzie, ! wouldn't stand it," cried
Mrs. Howard, gay young neighbor
IAN old crone like that. TO come here
and settle right down on you, like the
Old Woman Of the Sea Why, | never
heard such impudence in my life"
Aunt Rhoda shook her head solemnly-
barbara BabcOck used to visit
around in York State" said she, when
l lived there She was dreadful trial,
and there warn't none of her relations
but was glad 10 be rid OF her | wouldn't
like to undertake the care of heri"
"But she's old. Rhoda," said Uncle
Lemuel and she's had a stroke or two.
folks say dunno what's TO become Of
her eff Elizabeth Ann sends her away"
"a won't send her away" said Lizzie.
"She shall have home here. Frank
doesn't oh ect, and we may be feeble and
fricndless ourselves some day"
Frank don't know what he's under
takin', " said Aunt Rhoda II hain't as
much patience with the old creetur' as
should hev had, eff 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"
But Susie Starkey nodded approval to
her friend.
i think You are doing right, dear, "
she whispered.
So they all ate their Thanksgiving
dinner, with many compliments to Liz
zie's housewifely achievements; and Just
as they were sitting around the fire,
cracking nuts and drinking home
brewed cider, Uncle Lemuel uttered a
cry of terror
iIook at Barbara Babcock" said he.
"She's got another stroke,'
1t was true The poor little old
woman had sunk down, all in heap, in
her chair, with a pleading look in her
distorted face, and the words elizabeth
Ann quivering on her lips.
And the Thanksgiving party was
broken up in dire confusion and dis
may.
';Ef she was to die, mysteriously
whispered Aunt Rhoda, sit would be
the best thing that could happen to her
an all her relations"
But Miss Barbara Babcock did not
die. She lived on, all winter, into the
time when crocuses began to bloom and
the maple blossoms blushed redly along
the edges of the swamps.
All this time she was quite helpless,