Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-07-19

good friend agreed most heartily.
l soon wearied 6t the hammock
and went of TO the river for q day oi
lounging and fishing. where forgot
all about the old house and its new
occupant.
1t was nearly nightfsll. as slowly
drifting down the stream, I passed by
il, outlined big and gloomy against
the evening sky.
But i noticed two new features
about the place; a little boat lay 81
the old boat landing, and a faint
CLEAN Of light shone out from the
old wing.
so the old lady likes to 90 boat
ing, and has selected the wing for her
abode thought surely she must
be q courageous old party TO live in
that gloomy house all alone
A few days later happened to be
near the place In taking stroll across
the country.
Acting on an impulse l opened the
ssgging gate and went in. | follow
ed the path leading to the back of the
building, meaning to ask for drink
of water, and so obtain glimpse Of
the old woman.
There had been a feeble attempt to
clean up the place, and l noticed be.
meath the trees near the wing that the
rank weeds had been uprooted, and
the dead leaves raxed together. 1t
was really quite pleasant in the fresh
morning air,
All was quiet, save the rustic of the
leaves, and the cooling Of doves.
Suddenly sweet, low laugh fell
on my wondering ears
Low, but clear and musical as the
note of the bobolink.
Strange that dumb person could
laugh like that.
came around the corner of the
house and found the object of my
search.
There was the old woman, dressed
as my informant had described her;
plain black gown, black bonnet, but
with the addition of a large white
apron.
But what held me silent was the
picture she made standing there in
the bright morning sunshine, for a
flock OF doves lowered around her.
One perched on her shoulder, one
on her hand. while others circled
around her head utterlng soft cooling
sounds.
With one hand the old woman was
scattering corn on the ground at her
feet.
She was evidently not deaf, for my
step on the gravel made her start and
look around.
| made known my request for
water.
She nodded and hobbled off, leav-
ing me in the sunshine watching the
pink-footed birds as they jostled each
other in their eagerness to get the
scattered corn.
1t seemed long time before she
reappeared, but she bore in her black
glove covered hand glass of cool,
sparkling water.
The hand that held the glass trem-
bled, as though from extreme old age,
the other was hidden under the white
apron. /
Thank you, Auntie, I said, as |
took the glass from her tremulous
hand, 1t was too bad to put you to
SO much trouble
The head In the big bonnet shook
gently.
Are you not afraid to live here
alone SO far from anyone? ventured.
She only shook her head again,
and more decidedly, and taking the
empty glass vanished into the house.
stood there little while, hoping
she would return, but she did not.
The doves had finished their corn,
and flown away, futtering and COO
ing, and | too, turned away and
went slowly down the path.
But as l walked ] wondered, for
the figure of the old black crone,
when first came upon her, was erect
as a young saplin, and l could have
sworn that the ungloved hand that
scattered the golden corn was small
and whi.el
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.