Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-01-10
NED'S SISTER.


The old toll gate seemed to be place
for ressful dreaming rather than of rest
less living Even the rumble of wagon
served to mark, more than to disturb,
the silence that prevailed. At such
sounds Aunt Narsy would look up from
her easychar and knitting and say:
"Thars a team a-comin' Milly Jane"
Then Milly would 80 out to the lever
barin the piazza and appear to watch
the coming wagon. But, though she
moved lightly, her steps and gestures
seemed uncertain. In her mild, gray
eyes was a helpless, wavering look, that
is only seen when those windows Of the
soul are forever closed.
For Milly Jane was bliud. It must
not be thought that she was idle or fret
full, or helpless, or sad. Her slender
fingers. alive with the keenest sense of
touch, were very busy. There was knit.
ting, sewing and general housework.
The kitchen garden behind the house
was also part OF her care. Had her
eyes really feasted upon the rich green
OF the growing plants she would not
have handled them with greater nicety.
1t looked as if between the sharp hoe
and he young shoots mutual trust and
care were exchanged, vet the source was
in Miliys heart that was tender toward
every living thing.
Aunt Narsy was fat and sluggish,
Uncle Scion hardly ever stayed at the
house. Thus it fell upon Milly to attend
to the gate, But since the building of
the railroad travel had decreased, until
! the task was easy even for her
The sound of the great wagons was to
the blind girl never failing source of
interest. They came from the great
world strange, far,off life and they
crept down into it again, bringing
noise and hustle for a moment. and
lcavln" silence behind. She never tired
of listening to the stamping horses, the
rattliny wheels, the strange voices that
marked each slow passace Even the
long, white road had its unseen attrac-
ton. 1t stretched from town to town
great vein of the worlds life, sweep
ing by, yet barely touching her own.
When the teams would halt for
rest Milly Jane took great interest in
the tired wayfarers, the more 50 if fam
lilies of mowers were along. She
would nurse the babies, bring sweet
cakes for the children and water for the
mothers, and listen eagerly to their talk
She always felt as il she knew these
people, and it was pleasant to see how
they seemed to like her gentle interes
in their behalf. When they were leav
ing, she would look after them and lis
ten, as if old friends were going out 0
her life
One night, two men came in bugg
and stopped for supper. One-a mer
youth-sat on the porch wrapped in
cloak, with his hat pulled over his eyes
I The other talked to Uncle Solon in tn
I dining room, but kept an eye upon th
first, saying that he himself was cor
, stable and had the lad under arrest o
: quite serious charge.
l "He do &, lare, though, as he ain
guilty, bnt-blcss ye.-they usually ,
! does that
Hell cat bite, reckon?' aske
Aunt Narsv, not wanting 10 see any Oh
: go hungry.
" Says he don't want nothin' a
him to come in, but he seem'd packard
y nd | 'low'd Id humor him.
Milly Jane was listening. She did n
say anything, but she stole out with
cup Of coffee aud biscuit. As she DIRE
near, feeling before her with one han
the lad on the porch turned his be,
away.
':Mebbc if you Il eat something $
said, you'd feel better.
No" ne returned coldly. II
obliged TO ye, butt don't want az
IL
: thing
There was lantern over the gate, a
its rays shone fully upon her sighsl,
eyes. As she turned TO go back, the
;, said interestingly:
''Are you blind!'