Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-04-03
A STORY OF LONG AGO.
why Patty Jane Didn't Go to the Party
But Had to Return Home Alone.


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 littlo 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.
eyes, 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"
quoried Becky, her sleepy eyes opening
suddenly.
"Oh, but that's an astonishing long
time agow said grandma.
'But ] like the lOng-agos best!" cried
Becky and Lew together.
"A loRg-Gqo it shall be, then" said
grandma, picking together the burning
brands with the lSng-legged tongs, put
ting another stick on the brass-headed
andirons, and brushing the Goals from
the broad hearth with the gray goose
wing. ''It shall be of the time when my
father and mother were invited-not to
a tea party, but to Squire Holm's daugh-
ter's wedding-party. / wanted to go
right bad, and leased and teased, but
father and mother said no. and knew
that no was meant.
"But | thought upon it long time,
and concluded in my naughtiness IL l
could only in some way get there unbe-
known, why then it couldn't be helped.
So went on planning, till by and by a
bright scheme came into my silly head
''The sleighs of those days had high
backs that would reach above the heads
OF anybody riding. and the seats were a
kind of box, with lid, that would hold
bushel or two.
"Near the night of the party / slyly
put on my linscy-woolsey cloak and
wooden hood, and crept into this box.
1T was pretty snug fit, for / was a
chubby girl of eight, and the lid
wouldn't come down very close; but
when father and mother got in it came
down so quick on the top of my head
that it made me see a whole skyful Of
stars for minute.
but l didn't dare to cry out, and
away we went rumblety- s-ross
the meadow, through the long stretch Of
pine woods, down into Kicks Hollow,
then away up steep Young Hill that was
nearly a mile long and full of curves and
twists.
II giggled to myself and thought |
was having great fun. But it was cut
short pretty quick. About half way up
Young Hill, ia the very steepest part,
was the Elbow. Here it always drifted
badly and was awful siding. Mother
wanted to get out, but father thought
twas safe.
"Au at once we went over, bedquilts,
hot-water jugs and father and mother
together. The lid Of the sleigh-seat
few up and out tumbled with a shrek
on top of the heap.
PATTY Jane Swiftr THAT was my
name thon,l where under the sun did
vou como from?' cried mother, strug-
Cling from under huge wool bedquilt
and looking at me with stern astonish-
mont.
Il couldn't say word
"'Hid in the sleigh-box, I'll be
bound. she added. Now you may
Just march home alone for your disobe-
diencen
There was 10 help for it. March
must. An, l shall never forget how
ran up and down hill. for it was now
quite duskl Then there was the long
stretch OF gloomy pine woods to go
through. I stopped on its edge l
thoagkt aerer could. but waiting only
made 1, worse. l shut my teeth hard
ana ran With all my might Twas about
halfway through when
:" WAs-,eho-WHoo-ooF sounded right
close beside me
Il nearly dropped in my tracks with
fright.
- YAs' VEoi tehoo-oo-oor
''It was only an owl in a tree over my
head. b., when got home ! was ready