Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-25
IN SOBER ROBES.

There she was, untidy as usual, loung-
ing on the steps of West House, with
her plump hands folded in her lap, her
cap strings undone, her cape rakishly
awry, her gray hair shamelessly rum
pied. 1t was o'clock, and the lower
ing sun had tinged the western sky with
an edge of faded brown. Frogs were
calling, and o faint, intermittent tinkle
of cowbells stole over the rolling pas
ture lands beyond the Shaker village.
Big and barren in the silvery half dusk
the Shaker dwellings rose upon back
ground of pale skies and green fields.
Everything looked stolid and blank.
The meeting house, austerely plain, the
sturdy houses, shops and barns, the very
flower beds in the yard of West House,
suggested an undertaking rigor of aim.
And in the midst of it all, q very incar-
nation of cheerful laxity, sat Sister HUI
dah, with her pulpy, unascetic figure
and broad, babyish old face.
Behind her a long vista of hallway
ran straight and smooth through the
center of West House. Now and then a
woman in Shaker garb, plain and prim,
went in staid steps across the painted
floor to the sitting room at the farther
end of the passage. 1t was the hour of
the evening gathering, but old Huldah,
squatting comfortably on the back door
step, had forgotten about everything ex-
cept the tranquil aspects of the twilight
hours.
A man with longish silver hair under
his fiat hat came up the path.
Good evening to you, sister," he said
in a curiously soft, womanish voice
You're not overlooking the hour of
gathering. are you? Our new elderess is
particular about having the family
prompt" His accent was one of kindly
warning and Huldah started.
Law, wellr' she sighed. L let it slip
my mind, so did. 'Tain't easy fer me
to git into new ways of doin, Bro Henry.
We never heard of no gathering hour in
Elderess James time. 1 amt passing a
word agin Elderess Lucia. She aims TO
do right, but she's from up moth, and
she's young and upheaded, and-well, l
reckon it's fer the best. but I amt felt TO
home here since Jane died.
She was Il Kentucky woman. so she
was, and she understood how t person
might hev the love of Ann in 'em and yit
disremember to tie their cap strings.
No, Bro Henry. know t the new ell
deress hes my good at heart. know
I'm keerless to my own ondoin, but l
Jest can't seem to git ahead of them cap
strings! Look like was born thrift less.
was always a-breaking things and tear
ing my clo'es and gittin into mud holes
as a child. and being a Shaker fer 40
years amt took it ont n my blood" She
sighed deeply, but the expression on her
mild face was one of genial resignation
rather than hopeless grief.
Brother Henry sighed too. The new
elderess, though 4 holy woman engaged
in laying great bases for eternity, had
short shrift for human weaknesses.
'She has great gifts, mournfully con-
coded tine old man. He went up the
steps with the stiff accuracy of pair Of
compasses and entered the house.
A tall, slight young woman was com.
ing down the hall. Her very shadow
on the yellow floor had look of severity
She was young, with pale, beautiful
face. The thin lines of her lips held
something that was in harmony with the
cold glance of her dark eyes, and she
walked with n certain determined gait
| as if each step were set to an exact
measurement. She advanced to the door
and looked out on the quiet garden, the
| fading sky, the rising stars and the
| slouching cid figure on the steps. sis.
| ter Huldah," she said.
Huldah's shoulders twitched. She lum.
bered hastily TO her feet.
Il was Jest laying OFF to come in, !" she
| advanced in a conciliating tone as she
! Il -
| her cap strings. Look like I kind Of
lost myself asserting here listening al
| the frawgs holler. Down in Lincoln
county, where was raised, the frawgt
they used to start in of a night
''Huldah." remarked the elderess cold
| ly, there are cherry stains on youl
hands, and your skirt has zigzag rem
in the side breadth. Your hair is in &
sad state. 1t is painful to me to keel
speaking TO you about your careless hab
its. You are very remiss. The you'll
of this house do not find you good ex
ample. Nothing that you do is wei
done" She paused and then added, ''
fear that it will be my duty, unless yol
mend your ways, to reprimand you pub
licly before the assembled family"
]
81 know l amt worthy of my high callil
as follower of Ann" she said.
mo, Huldah, you are not, agreed tn
other, little nettled at this easy contri
ton. Ordinary reproof does not reacI
you. But if it is necessary shall resor
to other means" She regarded with leve
eyes the figure before her. Il shall sen
you away" she said. al shall send yo
permanently to a northern community.
There was no particular menace in LII
| cia's voice. She stood with her hand
folded, looking far away toward tn
darkening horizon. Il shall feel it m
duty" she resumed, and then very sud
denly she stopped.
A look of vague horror had flashe
into old Huldah's eyes. She stare
blankly at the slight. stern figure in tn
doorway. You'd might as well XII
me, " she painted, stretching ont shall
ing hand. s'Pd as lief die as so cut
Kentucky. was born and raised her