The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-05-25
THE QUILTING BEE.

years ago,
You could not see the fencs-rails for the
driited heaps of snow.
| The docks of chic2adees would come and in
the door-yari stand,
Too hunger tanned to fear the touch OF even
a boyish hand.
were done;
The farmers wifi, unwilling owned my tasks
/ rest hal won.
! Whom down the road, all silver-sweet, the
seigh-balls' jingle came,
! And through the frosty ar | heard, thrice
called IN haste. my name
Imperous girlish voice, "Oh, John, be
quick, for see,
You're wanted over at tie Spragues! They've
lot quiltin-oee."
"A quilting bee: | held my breath. "And
ray, what good are you
Needed not tine danes sharp tongue, she al
way, was a shrew:
But coat and mua' G. hurried on, | sprang
into the sleigh.
AM TX, the winI We Jew along behind the
sluire's lay.
a litt!e hand stole into mine, low laugh
ripyed Heet
And mixed its music with the chimes 50 roll
licking and sweet:
Perhai perhaps Kissed her cheek, the
Inerry blue-eyed maid,
PERHAPS We whispered loving words, but pace
We never staid
Till IT the SpraSucs's our rein we drew, and
srucv Kate to me
said airily, i've brought you, John, to
saiiys quitin bee.
The mouse was gay with candelght, the
Lamps were all ag.ow,
The rudy tame came streaming forth across
the shining snow.
The girls were sitting 10y the frame, their
lee lies out and in
Went flashing, flashing to and fro, through
such merry din,
You scarce could hear yourself for fun, and
when the work was DER,
Then swift We piled away the chairs and
cleared the .:itchen lloor,
And Uncle Archie drew his bow across the
fiddle strings,
And men and maids We danced that night as
II our feet were wings.
Ny word, tie very thought of that sets this
Old heart athrill,
Id dance again as then danced, and with a
right good viii,
If late could cali me once again, Us sweet as
s"cet could b,
Come, John, make haste, you're wanted,
john. at Ssly's luil5in'-lee"
3ut Kale, my Kate, lc- many year, no
mortal ears have heard
The tones winch rang with melody, surpass-
ing any bird;
want tue best;
ley taie the on WHO absence leaves an
ache IN very r-tlst.
'er -ra'sIs i'll II. open -rounI, beneath the
onel ky,
Right in the fair homs meadow, where Ter
fathers people lie;
And I have been a lonely man. and numbered
oft with care,
and bowed beneath the burden that my
darling used to share.
I little thought how soon the gold to ashen
gray would he
urEed darby, when went with Kate to
sally qu'tin.-bee.
~ mats that, youns m4n. You've come to
say that you and daughter Sue
Would like to Join your hands for life-that
sne has promised you,
IA case her IaIhar will consent. lie will, the
tie dear Old 4a:,7
She cries, ana It's the same sweet way her
darling mother had.
And SIZE, though 10: n touch to Kate, has
dancing eve, of blue.
And CHEEKS that hide the dimp!es, where the
blush COMES peepinS through
Taie me-, younE man, be good to her; if
have had my day,
III not begrudge the happiness that seems to
point your way.
Int much l douot if you will know tine bliss
that fe.. 90 me,
IN Kate said yes that night We went to
Sallys quilting-b bee
-A0r9qret f. Smgster, in once Uecl