The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-12-01


Good landl Who's been writin' to
me? / hain't had letter 1 can't tell
the time when. I'm most afraid to
open it, DanneI. Mebbe it's got bad
news"
BAD news! Who from, I'd like to
know? You're alwuz expectin' some
thin gloomy"
"Wa'al, there's a good deal that's
gloomy in this world. You know that IS
well as do"
"Yes. Hannah, n there's a good
deal that amt, too" He seldom spoke
with so much vigor and decision when
differing with his sister
You'd better open it n read it to
me; don't feel as eff l could, some
how"
Daniel Marstin sat down in the old
rocker by the west window. 1t was
early August and almost sunset
Beautiful shafts of red light threw
themselves over his thin, small figure
and his head, with its scanty gray hair
He tore open the envelope with his
finger, but the letter would not come
out. I'm 'fraid shall tear it all to
pieces, Hannah"
'.Wa'al, let me take it; I'll try'n see
what l can do. I'm dreadful afraid
somebody's dead"
Il s'pose somebody is somewhere"
said Daniel, with a quick, short-lived
twinkle lighting up his pale blue eyes
Good land! who do you think wants
to come n see us, Dannel?"
Cousin Angienette?" said Daniel,
in low, timid interrogative.
Now, how come you to be thinkin'
o her?" asked his sister with consid-
cradle asperity of manner "You amt
been readin' right through the letter,
like some O. them folks up in the city
the papers tell about, have YEP"
Il came across little picture yes
terday in the green chist up in the
garnet, that she sent me a good many
years ago, jest afore she got married.
l guess she was kind o. in my mind.
She used to be the chipperest girl t
ever see in my life, N she had such
pretty curly hair"
"'Twas red," said Hannah.
"Wa'al, t want real red, kind o.
pink"
Were too old to be clipper now,
any of US. don't see how can have
her, no way, Daniel; we amt seen her
this ten year"
Wouldn't she kind O liven us up?"
asked Daniel, timidly. "We don't see
many folks. you know"
''Wa'al, eff you're tired o. havin' your
pore old sister round, Pspose l can
write n have n stranger come n take
my place"
Hannah's voice trembled, and her
cyelids grew red, one tear gathering
force enough to trickle slowly down her
cheek like a slender rill, which has no
great source behind it.
Il guess wouldn't think anything
about it, then--perhaps she might
make We some work. ! didn't know
but she could help along with the
quiltin'; she used to be master hand
at SEWN. could tackle up n go to
the deepo for her as well as not, now
I'm through with the haydn"
You'll have to write the letter,
Dannel don't seem to feel like it,
my stomach's so weak. i s'pose shall
be sorry had her come. don't want
her meddlin' with my cookin'."
That day week the three cousins
were seated in the best room, which
led out of the kitchen. 1t was a mere
box of room, and had a musty odor,
it was SO seldom opened. Two large,
old naples shaded the windows, and
grew so near that they seemed like
grim sentinels, forbidding the en-
trance of heavens light and breath.
II don't see you look much older n
You did ten or fifteen years ago,
Angienette," said Daniel, as he crossed |
one leg over the other, and tried to |
make himself stationary in the slip
perry horsehair chair with its hard, |
seat.
"Wa'al, don't knows feel old; I've |
got good health n seven nice children! |
There amt nothin' they don't try to
do for me. since their poor ia Their died. |
But I'm fifty-five next month. That's
Older n you. Hannah. by three years."
Il hain't never had,.sech health as
you've he'd" said Hannah, as she left
viz ioW Suoh anu LOOK seat lE one !
the back of which was tall and straight |
and stiff.
Her figure was 1.-THE and firm and her |
complexion, though colorless had the
hue of health.
why, you never was sick but once,
Hannah" said the brother, IN that |
was more n twenty years ago."
all ,>,sx
don't seem to feel SO strong as l was. / |
git dreadful tired washin' n IRON the
same day."
II sh'd think you would" said her
cousin; what makes We do it?''
Good land alwuz did. You don't
s'pose I'm goin' to have it round two
days. do We, for jest Damned n me n
Hiram? want to set down Tuesdays.
I'm piecin' calico to make some quilts.
I'd onght to make three this fall, eff