Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-19
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'sI'd like cup of Tea right well n Il WON'T
bother any one, I'd like TO go to the kitchen
and mako ourselves cup Of tea-rd like
that"
Couldn't think, ma'am, Of you SO disturb
In yourself, !" said mischiovous Sam, bowling
with the grace of a Chesterfield .'pn speak
to de cook and bring il 20 you right hyar,
directly" And before Aunt Kate could
stop him or demonstrate with him, he was
out the door and gone.
Left to themselves, Uncle Aaron and
Aunt Kate looked around them in admira-
ton at their beautiful surroundings. But
even their admiration was characteristic
for Aunt Katc's was mixed with feeling
of awe and half fear, while Uncle Aaron
nodded his head with satisfied smile, as
il he met after long absence old friends
whom he was glad to see. Aunt Kate was
down on her knees and was feeling the
thickness Of the Administer carpet, and
Uncle Aaron was standing before a fine
water-color, smiling and looking happy,
when suddenly Alice, daintily dressed and
hugging her beloved dollie in her arms,
stood within the Turkish portieres that
draped the doorway.
''Oo-o!' she said. III e1s
Gland sakes ~ cried Aunt Kate.
stWhy, this must be Alioe!'' said Uncle
Aaron.
With the swift recognition that children
have of those akin to them, little Alice
dropped her doll and without . moments
hesitation went TO Uncle Aaron's out
stretched hands. He stood up in his great
height and happiness, a beautiful picture,
with the child in his arms. Aunt Kate
looked at them as she ever looked at every
thing, doubtfully.
my wee woman my wee womanl" said
Uncle Aaron, talking to her as lovers do.
And for answer Alice kissed him emphat-
ically several times, pulling her tiny fingers
through his long gray beard. Aunt Kate
stood stiff and straight, looking at them
both.
s'Beant yer agoin' to speak to met" she
said at last. primly. t'rm your grand
mother" --~r
els seea" questioned Alice, lifting up her
great blue eyes to Uncle Aaron.
Eyes; in sartin, your grandm ali. 3 Kiss
her, there's good child"
Thus directed, little Alice got down from
Uncle Aaron, smoothed down her pretty
dress, tossed her curls over her shoulder
and said: s'How de doc, drandmaP' and
held up her wee mouth for a kiss. Thank
GOD that nature is at times too strong for
US. For once Aunt Kate forgot to carp
and whine. Ali her woman's heart went
out to the wee mouth held up to hers. ssMy
babyi" she cried, and then gathering up the
tiny form with all its pretty lace and frills
to her broad, motherly breast, she held her
close. And the child felt the mother love
and was not afraid; only nestled the closer.
She kissed and crowed over her as mothers
do, and Alice, at last lifting up her tumbled,
curly bead, said wisely:
100 tan go now, Grandpa; 90 tan go to
bizzeness wiv papa. Dood-bye."
Uncle Aaron stood, big, nonplussed.
awkward. He was surprised, as many of
his brother men have been before him, and
those after him will be again, at that Illogical,
strange treemasonry of woman-kind in the
crises of life, be they young or old, of high
or low degree. Plainly he was not wanted
or needed.
Fortunately q few moments after Jacob
returned home, '''very sorry that he had
missed them at the boat" He was rather
surprised to see upon what intimate terms
Aunt Kate and wee Alice were, as that little
lady sat upon the old DANES lap, gravely
putting her grandma's big gold earrings
around her dollie's wrists as bracelets.
Uncle Aaron and Aunt Kate remained
with Jacob about two weeks, and then I'm
Gle Aaron, with his gentle, wise under
standing of all things, thought it best that
they should go. Re saw that although
Jacob was glad to have them, that the daily
routine of his life was altered, that his
ways were not their ways.
It was their last evening at Jacobs house,
when weeAllce had taken grandma up to her
own room, and was happy with her in her
pretty, childish fashion, and Aunt Kate, soft
ened and gentler for the time spent with the
child, was sitting there with her, happy and
at peace, too.
In the library, the beautiful room with its
lines of books and corners OF rare curiosi-
ties. seated in two easy chairs drawn up in
front of the blazing fire, were Uncle Aaron
and Jacob, alone together. Alike, and yet
not alike. Jacobs face, manly and grave,
stood out like marble, chiseled by some
master hand. A face full of vigor and
thought and strength. 1t seemed to sug-
gest the possibilities in mani But Uncle
Aaron, of larger frame and grander mold,
sublime in his rugged simplicity, seemed to
suggest the possibilities of God!
The two sat looking into the Goals, and at
last Jacob said, with sigh: swell, so you
leave US to-moi row, father. Couldn't you
stay longcrl"
'It's best not, lad, it's best not. We've
had a good visit, and your mother has been
like different creature since wee Alice
took to her so. Huml" with little chuckle
of keen amusement, "blood is thicker'n