The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-03-30
THE QUILTING BEE.

One winter by the Merrimac, some two-score
years ago,
You could not see the fences rai,s for tho driftcd
heaps of snow;
The nocks Of ohcbadees would como and In the
the dooryard stand,
Too hungertamed to fear the touch OF cen q
boyish hand.
sat beside the kitchen fire. the chores at last
were done;
The farmers wife, unwilling. owned my tasks a
rest had won.
When down the road, all silver-swcet the sleigh
bells Jingle came,
And through the frosty air heard, thrice called
in haste, my name;
Imperious girlish voice: "Oh John, be quick,
for see,
You're wanted over at tho Sprngucsl They've
got quiltin' bee"
A quilting bee? held my breath. And pray,
what good are youY'
needed not the dame's sharp tongue, she al
ways was shrew;
But coat and mufiier hurried on, sprang into
the Sleigh
And like the wind VIC few along behind the
squirrels old bay.
A little hand stole into mine, allow laugh ripplcd
fleet,
And mixed its music with the chimes so rolliclt-
ing and sweet;
Perhaps-perhaps-I kissed her &eck, the
merry bluo.eyed maid,
we never staid
Till at the Spragues' our rein We drew. ana
saucy Kate TO me
Said airly, i've brought you, John, to Sally S
quiltin.bee."
The house was gay with candlolight, the lamps
were all aglow,
The rudy flame came streaming forth across
the shining snow.
The girls were sitting by the frame. their
needles out and in
Went flashing, flashing to and fro, through such
amerry din,
You could scarcely hear yourself for fun, and
when the work was DER.
Then swift we piled away the chairs, and cleared
the kitchen floor,
And Uncle Archie drew his bow across the
fiddle strings,
And men and maids, we danced that night as IL
our feet were wings.
My word the very thought of that sets this old
heart athrill,
I'd dancy again as then / danced and with a
right good WILL
II Kate could call me once again, as sweet as
sweet could be,
"Come. John, make haste, you're wanted John,
at Sallys quiltin'-bee."
But Kate, my Kate, for many year, no mortal
ears have heard
The tones which rang with melody, SURPRISING
any bird;
The angels wanted her too soon: they always
want the best;
They take the one whose absence leaves an
ache in every breast,
Her grave is in the open ground, beneath the
open sky,
Right in the fair home meadow, where her
fathers people lie:
And have been lonely man. and numbered
oft with care,
And bowed beneath the burden that my darling
used to share
/ little thought how soon the gold to ashen gray
would be
Turned darlty when went with Kate to Saily's
Qulting-bee.
What's that, young man? You've come to say
that you and daughter Sue
Would like TO Join your hands for iife-that she
has promised you,
In case her father will consent. "He will, the
dear old dad"
She cries, and tbs the same sweet way her dar-
ling mother had.
And she, though not a touch to Kate, has dane
ing eyes of blue,
And cheeks that hide the dimples. where the
blush comes pecping through.
Take her, young man, be good TO her; If have
had my day,
I'll not begrudge the happiness that seems to
point that way.
But much doubt II you will know the bliss that
fell TO me,
When Kate said 'yes" that night we went to
Sally's quilting bee.
Margaret l.. Sangster in Once Week,