The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-03-12
"A STORY OF LONG AGO,

Why Patty Jane Didn't Go to the Party
but Had to Return Home Alone.
There was to be "tea-party" at Uncle
Johns house. Mamma and Papa War.
rem were invited, and Lew and Becky
thought it very hard that they should be
left at home with grandma to spend the
long evening.
81 most know my eyes won't stay
open till supper time without mamma to
tell me stories" complained little Becky,
dolefully. with her chubby hands wrap
ped close in her pinafore, while she
trudged from window to window to
catch the very last glimpse of the sleigh
before it dashed out of sight over the
hills.
Lew, I'm sorry to say, kicked the
chairs right hard with his copper toes,
and scowled blackly.
"Oh, yes, they will, dearie" cried
grandma, cheerfully, winding in the
numerous balls of bright yarn which
had been wandering about the floor, and
doubling together the long wool com
forter'' she was knitting for grandpa.
"Yes, of course they will! And they'll
be bright as buttons, too, for I'll tell
you story myself"
"A story of when you's little grip
queried Becky, her sleepy eyes opening
suddenly.
"Oh, but that's an astonishing long
time ago. said grandma.
"But l like the long-agos best!' cried
Becky and Lew together.
"A long-ago it shall be, then, said
grandma, picking together the burning
brands with the long-legged tongs, put.
ting another stick on the brass-headed
andirons, and brushing the Goals from
the broad hearth with the gray goose
wing. at shall be Of the time when ms
father and mother were invited-not tc
Q tea party, but to Squire Holm's daugh
ter's wedding-party. ! wanted to &c
right bad, and leased and leased, but
father and mother said no. and l knew
that no was meant.
"But l thought upon 1t long time
and concluded in my naughtiness if
could only in some way get there unbe
known, why then it couldn't be helped
So went on planning, till by and by {
bright scheme came into my silly head
1.-The sleighs of those days had higl
backs that would reach above the head!
Of anybody riding, and the seats were {
kind of box, with lid, that would hole
. bushel or two
Near the night of the party slyl.
put on my linsey-woolsey cloak ant
wooden hood, and crept into this box.
ut was pretty snug tit, for / was I
chubby girl of eight, and the liz
wouldn't come down very close; bu
when father and mother got in it cam,
down SO quick on the top OF my heat
that it made me see a whole skyful o
stars for a minute.
but l didn't dare to cry out, ant
away we went rumblety-bump acros
the meadow, through the long stretch o
pine woods, down into Kicks Hollow
then away up steep Young Hill that wa
nearly mile long and full of curves an
twists.
81 giggled to myself and thought
was having great fun. But it was Gu
short pretty quick. About half way u
Young Hill, in the very steepest part
was the Elbow. Here it always drifte
badly and was awful siding Mothe
wanted to get out, but father though
twas safe.
"All at once we went over, bedquilts
hot-water jugs and father and mothe
together. The lid of the sleigh-sea
few up and out tumbled with shire
on top of the heap.
Patty Jane Swift! THAT was m
name then,) where under the sun di
you come from? cried mother, stru,
Cling from under huge wool bedqui
and looking at me with stern astonisl
ment.
81 couldn't say word.
"'Hid in the sleigh-box, I'll |
bound she added. Now you ma
just march home alone for your disob
diencer
There was no help for it. March
must. All, l shall never forget how
ran up and down hill, for it was no
quite dusk! Then there was the lor
stretch of gloomy pine woods to {
through. l stopped on its edge.
thought nerer could; but waiting on,
made it worse. l shut my teeth hal
and ran with all my might. Twas abo
halfway through when
WHoo-Oor sounded rig
close beside me.
II nearly dropped in my tracks wi
fright.
WHO Whoi rhoo-oo-oor
at was only an owl in a tree over n
head. But when l got home was rea,