The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-04-10

Aaron and Aunt Kate, anu tnero were jacob
and Matthew, big boys OF ten and twelve,
and there were Mary and Deborah, and lit
tie Sally and wee Tom. ~
It was n large old house for those days
(fifty years ago), having loft, or second
story, over the main room. This was win
dowless, but was considered o luxury for
all that. 1t was reached by a ladder, made
by Uncle Aaron. On one side of the house
was tuge fireplace, and bed, resembling
large packing box. was away OF 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
ir 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,
Over six feet high, brawny and broad,
strong and muscular, his keen, twinkling
gray eyes were half hid under his bushy
eyebrows and his short brown beard had o
CLINT Of the sun In it.. There was an air Of
decision and strength about Uncle Aaron
that rather awed mo ut first sight, but
short acquaintance soon revealed that his
strength was that of the protecting oak
that the vines cling to.
"Maryi Mary!" called out Aunt Kate up
tho ladder, "do make them ere children
stop that noise, do you heart Como down
here, you Jacobl Matthew, II yer don't stop
pulling Of his hair I'll switch yer good
Father" she said at last in despair, going
to the doorway, "do tend tothem ere boys,
will yer9 They're wusscr N tadpoles."
With q 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
the neck, and dropped him down to the
room below; next he took Jacob and swung
him down after him; then he handed Mary
and 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.
''There, mother" he SAID, "here be oil the
lambs; now where be the fodderl"
"Ready in minute; jess wait till I get
the MAPLE" said Aunt Kate, as she turned
over the last brown cake on the griddle
"Mebbe," said Uncle Aaron, looking re-
flectively at his plate, ''meboe they won't
come"
eyer can see, at any rute,. said Aunt
Kate. II think Sarah and Tom III come
sure (here sho gave chuckle) IL there's
good set out to be had"
"Ouch!" said Matthew, suddenly crying
out and turning savagely round upon Jacob,
''can't you let me bel"
"You peshy boys!" exclaimed their moth
er, "why can't you keep quiet"
"Therey' said jacob, exasperatingly
wiping his sticky hands upon the top of
Matthew'S curly pate; there, now put
maple on me again, will yor!' and lodging
successfully both his mothers and Mat
thew's out3tretchcd hands, he escaped
through the doorway and out
"You good for nothing ~ cried his mother,
half starting from the table.
"There-there, don't bother" said Uncle
Aaron, authoritatively, "boysis boys-don't
pester."
Mumbling with her mouth half full Of
cakes. Aunt Kate's brow cleared and the
breakfast was finished in peace and quiet
ness. "Well, mother" said Uncle Aaron,
putting ON his hat and standing up great
and strong, "rll see to the askin' Of 'em,
and do you tend to tue feeding"
''Never fear, )" nodded his wife, confidently;
'I'll 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
two year-old baby, and, grading him mo