Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-26
and maryels,

anu hlaINtIb
1 remember the fascination with which, at
the age OF ten, gazed at a little weather
beaten house in quiet lane. It seemed to hide
itself away from observation. The syringa
bushes in the tiny front yard grew thick and
tall, to keep out all prying eyes, and at one side
roses and hollyhocks, grass pinks and sweet
william crowded and jostled each other and
covered themselves with blossoms, as if trying
to draw all attention in their direction. The
flowers were quite neglected, and had never
seen anybody coming out of the narrow side
door.
have vivid recollection Of walk took
vi tn my Aunt Louise, when we went past the
little house and followed the winding road to
an old grove on hillside overlooking the river.
lhis younger sister of my mother had been Iv-
ing with US about year. but she still had q
lively interest in all my favorite outdoor re-
treats. remember just how she looked that
day, as she sat on a iichen-covered stone and
clasped her hands about her knees She had
taken of her hat, and the sun made her brown
hair golden around her fair young face. We
were both very happy. The swallows wheeled
high above our heads. Beyond the chestnuts
and poplars the meadows stretched broad and
many curve and the hills rising soft and in
distinct In the distance. On the other side Of
us, behind clump of willows, stood the little
house; and the sight of its smokeless chimney
brought me back to the subject which, for some
reason, interested me much.
DO you suppose anybody lives in that little
black house?' asked
Il don't know" answered Aunt Louise. pull
ing the rays from daisy. st is the Oldest
building in the village. Somebody was telling
me about it last week. 1t was standing when
for some reason it escaped. We might make
story about 1t, Ellie. Perhaps among the In
dlans there was medicine man who could
work charms, and perhaps somebody who lived
in this house, think it was the daug hter-had
been kind to him once and So when his COM
panIons were starting fires right and left he
warned them away from this spot and cast
spell around these four walls and all the people
inside them. And there they vet. she con-
tlnued with dramatic emphasis. ''just as they
were when the war whoop sounded-they did
not have time to become frightened-the
daughter standing by the great spinning wheel
and the old father and mother by the fire.
And what Is going to w8ken Them Aunt
Louise inquired, gazing into her face with
as rapt attention as if the tale had been more
original in its plot. I'm the Sleeping Beauty,
you know, it was the prince, but | think we
ought to have something different III tell
you. cried, fired with creative ardor, they
are going to sleep until the Indians come again
and make n terrible war whoop and rouse them. :"
Well, don't know said my colaborator
still playing with the daisy 'AIavbe tho
maiden's lover vas taken captive and carried to
Canada by the Indians, and maybe he found
the spring OF eternal youth there-which Ponce
dc Leon expected TO find in Florida YOU know
Some day no will come back footsore and
wearT-uniess he has found ont about tine rail-
nd I{o
house and will so in through the side door
Then when he kisses the maiden who has been
waiting there all the time-presto. change,
they are ali alive again, and even the chimney
begins to smoke. Don't you think it smokes
little now"
mo, not bit aunty Your ending ia nice
but like mine better"
Aunt Louise laughed and. getting up said
We must be going.
We made our way home. however. long and
lingering one. iured aside By the peaceful river.
Ny companion sent stones skimming across the
water as If she had been a boy and l. after try
ing in vain to equal her. launched some chip
boats which proposed sending with messages
to absent friends.
They can go anywhere. you know" 1 said.
with n chiids half-believing fancy They
foat from this river into the Connecticut and
then out to the ocean. And they know how 10
get into other rivers, too. Some Of your
friends live by the ocean, doa't they?''
Yes, | remember" she said. with a dreamy
look III her ewes, but l am glad to think that
my dearest friends hive right here in Chesley"
1t was then was reminded to tell her that
M dearest frlend-outside of my own family
was Dick Leighton.
wouldn't 1t be more polite to cali him Mr..
Leighton" asked Aunt Louise. watching nv
last bark. which was fast drifting shoreward.
Unabashed by this suggestion. went on to ex-
plain that the Young man in question was per.
hars nos NV friend in exactly the same way in
which Annie Davidson was, but that We enioved
talking together very much; that he had told
me many interesting things and never laughed
al me. l must have been an old fashioned little
person at this period and probably said much
more or the virtues and attractions of Mr. Dick
Leighton, whose enthusiastic champion / was.
remember wondered why aunt Louise said
so little in answer; and | asked her ii she did
not like him, and inquired what be talked TO
her about when he took her TO drive. She blushed
and made some laughing answer. Then she
kissed me in her quick. impulsive fashion. Our
walk ended in the widest. merrest humor; and
when we reached home We were both out of
breath and rosy.
IL was a few days after this one morning
when l was passing the little old house alone
and had stopped before some cinnamon roses
which clambered over the broken fence, that
was startled by hearing somebody close to me
say in thin, hgh-pitched voice: ''And who is
this young lady that l have the Measure of
seeing?" just on the other side Of the rose
bush, cutting off the abundant blossoms with
an immense pair OF shears. stood q wiZened
little old woman. with sharp black eyes and
quick. birdhke motions. l found breath to
tell her my name, and then added, to explain nv
presence, that was looking at her roses which
were very pretty. The little creature appeared
pleased with my response, and when had an
swered In the affirmative her inquiry if | was
John Taibota daughter. she asked in stately
fashion if she might be allowed to present some
howers TO my respected parents with her COM
pliments. As she cut the strayin2 roses and
pinks she talked in most learned manner At
least supposed il must be learned, as | could
understand so little of her meaning.
When at last her task was completed she said:
Now may l ask the honor of q short call from
my young friend?"
hesitated l was q little doubtful what nv
mother would say. But surely she would not
wish me to hurt the little old adys feelings BY
refusing her invitation. made a great point
OF this to myself for was very anxious to 90
In with her and see what would happen next,
SO could tell Aunt Louise about it.
Yes. 1 said. II should like very much to
come in" and followed my guide through that
low side door at which had often gazed
The room was dark and almost ran against
a chest of drawers which stood across our path.
IN TACT, the furniture was so closely crowded
together that one could scarcely walk Old
fashioned chairs and tables were everywhere
handsome old desk stood in one corner and
In front of 1t WAS chintz-covered arm chair.
big enough to hold two persons, and having n
high, faring back with sides reaching to the
top.