The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-02
many strange thoughts crowded her

| little song rang through the airy coln'
trv home, while little LiIa's mind was
building bright castles for the future.
little dreaming of the great change that
day would make in her life. Oh peer.
less future, bliss or sorrow, far better
remain in the distance than to disturb
this happy. innocent little beauty be-
! fore You.
Had little Lima knew aught of this
wicked world. and had she not been
ignorant OF its many pitfalls, or the
great danger that was so near, and that
would sadden her whole life, tears OF
sorrow and not joy would have trickled
down her delicate pink cheek.
@Linaw
"Come here" And Immediately
Lima emerged from the little old.
fashioned sittmg-room, with a book
and duster in hand, while her face was
flushed slightly with exercise, and q
quiet little smile played about hel
dimpled little rosebud mouth. The
lecture had been entirely forgotten.
"Well, here I am, auntie; what is it
you want?"
II tell you, Lima, you must go this
very minute and gather every egg on
this farm; and then you must go down
to the cellar and get that little roll of
butter that's down there and take them
to market this very blessed afternoon.
No, you must 60 now, quick; make
haste, for, don't you see, I haint nigh
enough calico for this dress. Run
along now, quick. My, but it does take
lots o. my poor old mans money to
dress you and get all your fine trump
@Well, auntie, I am perfectly will
ing to wear my old dresses, or, as far
as that is concerned, am willing, and
would be glad, if it will help you any,
to go to Jonesborough, where Anna
used to get work of some kind to do,
and in that way I could buy my own
clothes, and then you would not have
to use poor uncle's money"
"Ha! Hum! Yes, you are prltty
picture to he a-talkin' about sich things;
what could sich child, baby, as you
do? You know nothing; not even a
Johnny-cake or a biscuit could you
make; what could yon do? Hum, tid-
dlesticks! you know nothing, and are
good for nothing but to hunt the eggs
and tote them off to town"
Poor little Lima was convinced by
this time that her aunt did have one Of
her "bad spells" this morning. Her
temper was crossed, simply because her
wish had been that morning, and she,
like all other women, will take their
spite out on the first object that comes
within their reach, and poor little Lima
happened to be the unfortunate one.
Mrs. Rice was generally affectionate
and kind, but she wanted to go to town
that morning, but her husband in
sisted that she should remain at home,
and that he was going himself.
June, there is little business I
must sec about this mornin', and I
know you ha;nt no business up there
to-day"
II have, Criss Rice; and I guess you
don't know ali about my business.
Jist as sure as the sun shines, if you
go up there to-day, you Will get in
fuss. Yes, cir; bet my last turkey on
it, tool"
turkey or no turkey, fnss or no
fuss, am a-goin' to tom this mornin'; !;
and you might jist as we'll keep your
chatter-box still, old woman" and he
lightly stepped from the large old log
kitchen with the air of man who had
won victory.
Lima was not aware of this little dis
agreement, and could not divine the
cause of her aunt's i'll humor. She
stood there, looking at Aunt James
dark smiling face, while a sad look
came into her lovely dark eyes, and
turning she left the kitchen humming
melancholy little tune, in search of
the eggs.
Little Lima Rice was a superior girl,
intellectual, and had no rival in beauty.
The brilliant mind, mild gentle tenn
per, and the unearthly loveliness that
She possessed made her queen of all.
No one, not even the toughest of man
kind, could help loving her. Had her
natural musical ability been cultivated,
she would have been the sweetest
singer the world had ever known.
Her kind uncle and aunt did all they
could for her, and She highly appre-
ciated their kindness, in fact, they
could not have taken a greater interest
in her, had they been her own father
and mother.
Her parents were dead, she had been
told; she had always been called Lima
Rice; of course, she did not know but
that was her right name.
"Well, Auntie Jane, I was awfully
lucky; see, here are three dozen eggs"
There they were, carefully laid In
her large dish-apron.
ayes, honey, 1 see. You are nice
little girl after all. Now hurry and
put them in the bucket, but be careful
and don't break any,"
II will, auntie."
The eggs were carefully placed in
the bucket, the lid put on, and in few
minutes the pink dress and dish apron,
had disappeared, and Lima now was clad
in white, looking like fairy.
A little white straw hat, trimmed
with knots of blue ribbon and white
lace, was placed jauntily on one side of
that pretty head Of golden curls, while
out from under the rim peeped two
large, bright, sparkling eyes.
She kissed her aunt good-by, and
with one elastic bound she cleared the
doorstep and disappeared around the
conner of the house.