The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-01-11

Aaron and Aunt Kate and there were Jacob
and Matthew, big boys of ten and twelve,
and there were Mary and Deborah, and lit
tile Sally and wee Tom.
It was Il large old house for those days
Fifty years ago), having loft, Or second
story, over the main room. This was WIN
aowIess, but was considered luxury for
I'LL that. It was reached by a ladder, made
by Uncle Aaron. On one side of the house
was a tuge fire place, and bed, resembling
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 thick beds of clean hay,
covered over with pillows and warm quilts.
It was early in the morning one fine day
in early spring, and Aunt Kate was busy
flying cakes for breakfast the children
were laughing and scrambling overhead,
and Uncle Aaron was standing in the door
way looking out.
strong and muscular, his keen, twinkling
gray eyes were half hid under his busny
eyebrows and his short brown beard had a
CLINT Of the sun in it. There was an air Of
decision and strength about Uncle Aaron
Ehat rather awed me at first sight, but a
short acquaintance soon revealed that his
strength was that Of the protecting oak
that the vines cling to.
"Mary! Mary!" called out Aunt Kate up
She ladder, edo make them ere children
stop that noise, do you hear? Come down
here, you Jacobl Matthew, If yer don't stop
pulling Of his hair I'll switch yer goods
Father" she said at last in despair, going
80 the doorway, 'do tend to them ere boys,
will yers 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 q
word he seized Matthew, the eldest boy, by
she neck, and dropped hum down to the
Foom below; next he took Jacob and swung
him down after him; then he handed Mary
snd 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.
sThere, MOTHER" he SAID, there be all the
lambs; now where be the fodder?"
s'Ready ia minute; jess wait till get
the MAPLE" said Aunt Kate, as she turned
aver the last brown cake on the griddle.
"Mebbe,' said Uncle Aaron, looking re-
dectively at his plate, ''mebpe they won't
come"
aver can see: at any rate" said Aunt
Kate. II think Slr1h and Tom III come
sure (here she gave q chuckle) II there's
good set ont to be had"
'sOuchp' said Matthew, suddenly crying
out and turning savagely round upon Jacob,
"can't you let me be?"
s'You pesly boys!' exclaimed their moth
er, "why can't you keep Quiet2"
'sTherer' said Jacob, exasperatingly
wipng his sticky hansls upon the top OF
Matthew's curly pate; "there, now put
maple on me again, will yer' and lodging
successfully both his mothers and Mat
bhew:s outstretched hands, he escaped
shrough the doorway and out
"You good for notning!" cried his mother,
half starting from the table.
''There--there, don't BOTHER" said Uncle
Aaron, authoritatively, ''boysls boys-don't
pes,er."
Mumbing with her mouth half full Of
cakes, Aunt Hates brow cleared and the
breakfast was finished in peace and quiet
ness. ''Wel), mother" said Uncle Aaron,
putting or his nat and standing up great
and strong, "Ill see to the askin' of 'em,
and do YOU tend to the feeding"
Never fear" nodded his wife, confidently;
"I'll give Fem a 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
bwo.year-old baby, and, grading him mo-