Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-01-16

with pride. A large quilting frame resting
upon four upright logs stood over at the
east side of the room. The first to arrive
was Mother Bansom, noted for being the
ssbest quilter'' for miles around Her wei
come was cordial.
ssGive me your bonnet. Cold weather foI
spring. Sitthar," said Aunt Kate
| Mother Bansom's wrinkled face looked
gray and old after her bonnet was off. Her
long, bony hands kept moving restlessly in
her lap for a moment, and then from the
depths of a big calico bag she brought forth
a quilting needle and her thimble.
s'Oh, take yer time" said Aunt Kate,
generously.
"I'd rather begin to once't,n said her
guest, walking over toward the quilting
| frame.
Aunt Kate smiled, well pleased, and
looked on with admiration as this acknowl-
edged expert turned over the calico spreads
with nimtle fingers.
SHOW many have yerr' she asked,
weighing the punches of gray cotton wad-
ding.
"Thar's ten rolls down here, but thar's
more up thar (pointing to the loft over
head) If we need 'em Aaron's good pro-
vider.n
"Be thankful he's your man and no one
else's, then,n said Mother Bansom.
81 be-" said Aunt Kate, nodding her head
proudly.
Very shortly all the women folks began
to arrive. An went to work Immediately
upon coming in, and they sewed and tied
and worked on the quilts until about seven
o'clock. Then, just as the more indus
trious ones were beginning to weary with
work, and the idle ones were growing tired
from not working, and all were wishing for
supper time to come, suddenly outside was
heard the sound of fiddle.
"That's Toni" cried several at once.
''Just hear hump
In accompaniment to the fiddle came out
the words IN clear, strong voice:
" / said, pretty Polly, will you marry met
Oh no, no, dear sir, that can never bel
For never shall be happy til Billy seei
I'll go to some tailor's, I'll hasten away,
I'll dress myself up in some young mans
array;
Til dress myselfup so neat and so trim,
And I'll go and I'll fight Great Britain's
King"
And then it seemed as If the door was GO
ing to be broken in, he thumped upon it so.
"Helloli' he cried, as Aunt Kate fastened
W Opcu H. AL etdu III utTts NOF l.
reckoned you must be, SEEM as how you
was all parcel of women and / didn't hear
you talking. Hal Hal't laughed Tom, as
he came in, mischief beaming in his blue
eyes. "What yer doingl Not through
with that ere job yet, Mother Bansom? Oh,
come now, you've done enough for to-day. |
Let be-"
''Ill come in tomorrow and finish it up
for you," whispered Mother Bansom, as
Aunt Kate and several others began to fold |
up the work and put it away.
Gan right" nodded Aunt Kate.
Just then in came Uncle Aaron. 81 seed |
Bates and Durham down below. They'll be |
hadn't yerl"
"We'ie goin' to right now,n said Aunt
Kate, as she proudly began TO spread the
table. Several of her guests turned to aud
helped her, and soon there was generous
board OF good things that looked very
tempting to her hungry visitors. Very
shortly all the 'men folks" that were ex-
oected came, and all gathered around the
ong table. After supper was over Aunt
Kate set to work washing up the plates,
cups, ETC., and putting away the remains of
he feast. After she had finished, Tom,
lis fiddle, and standing in the middle Of the
Dom cried out; "All as has blood in their
Teins, get upi Any as is a man and not
mousse, get upl Take the love of yer heart
md dance with herl Or, II she isn't will
ng, take somebody else's, perhaps it win do
ust as well. But get up, men, get upln
And to this soul-stirring appeal he added
he further entreaty Of lively country jig
n his fiddle, that set the girls eyes TO
and their feet TO beating time.
But the men all stood still and looked
heepish. Tom, taking no notice Of this,
layed on perseveringly, and at last by a
ort Of mutual inspiration, without word
eing spoken on either side, one Of the {
Dung men and one of the young girls stood |
p together. This bold move won a nod Of
pproval from Tom. "That's i'll Now an I
Their pair of sparks, and the fire'll begin. Z
here, you two-whats come to )
er" Thus exhorted, Ned and Mary got {
p and faced the other couple. Slowly /
feet began to move, carrying i