Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-11-21

Aaron and Aunt Kate, and there were Jacob
and Matthew, big boys of ten and twelve,
and there were Mary and Deborah, and lit
tie Sally and wee Tom
1t was large old house for those days
(hfty years ago., having loft, or second
story, over the main room. This was win
dowless, but was considered luxury for
all that 1t was reached by a ladder, made
by Uncle Aaron. On one side of the house
was tuge fireplace, and a bed, resembling
a large packing box, was away off at the ex-
IRENE far corner. That belonged to Uncle
Aaron and Aunt Kate. The children all
slept upstairs on thlck beds of clean hay,
covered over with pillows and warm quilts.
1t was early In the morning one fine day
in early spring, ant ALnt Kate was busy
frying cakes for b. akfast, the children
were laughing ana sorambling overhead,
and Uncle Aaron was standing in the door
way looking out
Over six feet high, brawny and broad,
strong and muscular, his keen, twinkling
gray eyes were half hid under his bushy
eyebrows and his short brown beard had a
CLINT OF the sun in it, There was an air Of
decision a1d strength about Uncle Aaron
that rather awed me at first sight, but a
short acquaintance soon revealed that his
that the vices cling TO.
"Maryi Maryli' called out Aunt Kate up
the ladder, "do make them ere children
stop that noise, do you heart Come down
here, you Jacobl Matthew If yer don't stop
pulling Of his hair I'll switch yer good
Father" she said at last in despair, going
to the doorway, "do tend TO them ere boys,
will vera They're wusser N tadpoles."
With tolerant smile and an easy swing
round, with stride or two Uncle Aaron
reached the top OF the ladder. Without a
word he seized Matthew, the eldest boy, by
the neck, and dropped him down to the
room below; next he took Jacob and swung
him down after him. then he handed Mary
and Deborah down in the same uncere-
monious fashion. Then reaching out his
long arms, he gather ed up little Sallie and
wee Tom, and gently carried them down.
''There, mother" he SAID, "here be all the
lambs now where be the fodderm
Ready in minute; jess wait till l get
the maple" said Aunt Kate, as she turned
over the last brown cake on the griddle.
tMebbe," said Uncle Aaron, looking re
flectively at his plate, "mebbe they won't
come"
aver can see, at any rate" said Aunt
Kate. II think Sarah and Tom III come
sure (here she gave chuckle) if there's
a good set out to be had
"Ouchm said Matthew, suddenly crying
out and turning savagely round upon Jacob,
''can't you let me bei"
"You pesky boys!" exclaimed their moth
err, "why can't you keep quietln
"Therep' said Jacob, exasperatingly
wiping his sticky hands upon the top Of
Matthew'S curly pate; "there, now put
maple on me again, will yerl' and lodging
successfully both his mothers and Mat.
thew's outstretched hands, he escaped
through the doorway and out
"You good for nothing n cried his mother,
half starting from the table.
"There-there, don't bother" said Uncle
Aaron, authoritatively, 'boys is boys-don't
poster"
Mumbling with her mouth half full OF
cakes, Aunt Kate's brow cleared and the
breakfast was finished in peace and quiet
ness. "Wel, MOTHER said Uncle Aaron,
putting on his hat and standing up great
and strong, "rll see to the askin' of 'em,
and do you tend to the feeding"
''Never fear" nodded his wife, confidently
"pll give 'em good square meal"
Catching up little Sallie, Uncle Aaron
kissed her on both her rosy cheeks and put
her down again. Then he took up Tom, the
two year-old baby, and, grading him mo