The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-02-07

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
Qifty years ago), having loft, or second
story, over the main room. This was win
doWless, but was considered a luxury for
all that. 1t was reached by ladder, made
by Uncle Aaron. On one side of the house
was tuge fireplace, and bed, resembling
large packing box. was away off at the ex-
treme far corner. That belonged to Uncle
Aaron and Aunt Kate. The children all
slept upstairs on thick beds of clean hay,
covered over with pillows and warm quilts.
1t was early in the morning one fine day
in early spring, and Aunt Kate was busy
frying cakes for breakfast, the children
were laughing and scrambling overhead,
and Uncle Aaron was standing in the door,
.yay looking out.
Over six feet high, brawny and broad,
strong and muscular, his keen, twinkling
cray eyes We're half hid under his bushy
eyebrows and his short brown beard had
CLINT of the sun in it. There was an air of
decision and strength about Uncle Aaron
that rather awed me at first sight, but a
short acquaintance soon revealea that his
strength was that of the protecting oak
hat the vines cling to.
''Maryl Mary!" called out Aunt Kate up
nc ladder, "do make them ere children
top that noise, do you hear? Come down
lere, you Jacob! Matthew, If yer don't stop
pulling Of his hair I'll switch yer good!
3ather," she said at last in despair, going
o the doorway, ''do tend to them ere boys,
win ycra They're wusser N tadpoles.''
With q tolerant smile and an easy swing
.AllDl with ctri
.9c.3hed the top of the ladder Without
!ord be seized Matthew, the eldest boy, by
&e neck, and dropped HIM down to the
oom below; next he took Jacob and swung
i'm down after him; then he handed Mary
nd Deborah down in the same uncere-
aGnious fashion. Then reaching out his
ong arms, he gather ed up little Sallie and
wee Tom, and gently carried them down.
There, mother" he sad, 'here be all the
anbs; now where be the fodder?"
''R2ady in minute; jess wait till get
he maple" said Aunt Kate. as she turned
yer the last brown cake on the griddle.
''Mebbe,' said Uncle Aaron, looking re-
lectivey at his plate, ''meboe they WON'T
ONE"
Yer can see, at any rate" said Aunt
>ate. II think Sarah and Tom III come
ure (here she gave chuckle) if there's
good set out to be had"
"Ouch' said Matthew, suddenly crying
ut and turning savagely round upon Jacob,
can't you let me be?'
''You pesl1y boys! !" exclaimed their moth
Y, "why can't you keep quiet?"
"ThereG' said jacob, exasperatingly
giping his sticky hands upon the top of
fatthew's curly pate; "there, now put
maple on me again, will yer!' and lodging
successfully both his mothers and Mat
heW's outstretched hands, he escaped
through the doorway and out.
you good for notning!'' cried his mother,
lalf starting from the table.
"There-there, don't bother" said Uncle
Aaron, authoritatively, 'boys is boys-don't
oester.n
Mumbling with her mouth half full of
;alles, Aunt Kate's brow cleared and the
breakfast was finished in peace and quiet
ness. "Well, mother" said Uncle Aaron,
outting on his hat and standing up great
nd strong, "Tll see to the askin' of em,
md do you tend to the feeding"
''Never fear" nodded his wife, confidently;
IN 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
twoyear-old baby, and, grading him mo-