The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-06-22
EBENSBURG. PA. FRIDAY, JUNE 1894.

Hbeitatb SHY Ait.il htAltNL RiiCAAD ui-
TERED iii rapid monotone the words she
seemed to have been saying ro her
self lier eyes were still ou the flames.
The wind shrielled in the chimney as
she spoke.
Twas Becky and Mary Anna Steele
and Marthy Allan-your mother. Ke
zi,h''-
Aunt Keziah nodded.
''All a-balin' in the kitchen, a-gettin'
ready for the weddin'. Big cakes and
little cakes. an hams, an pies, an
chicllens-rows an rows of EN-. Marthy
Allan a-reddin' mp n putin spruce and
pine over the picturcs, an wipin' chiny.
an me in the winder. All day in the
winder. lookin' cross the bay. Break
ers like them a-roariu' now. Hear EN-,
Listen To 'en, That's the kind, They'll
wash 'em m, 1t was John Allan come
runnin' up the path. l saw The wind
bring him along. lie burst in with the
wind and spray, an Marthy Allan
dropped the best blue bowl
"'rhere's a boat yonder,' he says
his boa "
Hush says Mary Anna. noddin' at
the wiuder, an John Allan throws up
his arms and runs out, n ! after him,
an Marthy an Mary Anna comm be-
hind. Ay, but twas rettin' dark, an Il
monster sea was ruarin. We all stayed
out a-wailiu' Tor the boat 1T got
mighty dark, dark as night, an we
couldn't see Il thing ! got a lantern
out O the kitchen an climbed the bel
fry stairs unbeknovn to 'em all. Ugh,
but the bats hit hard an scrcecheI
like all of 'em was doin' out yondcr on
shore! They nit my face and blinded
my eyes, bat didn't mind. | set the
lamp in the windcr an went down
a%ain-down, down. 1t shnne FAR on
to the boat. Ugh, how the breakers
fought that night. lie always could
manage boat, couldn't he, keziah?"
Aunt keziuh nodded.
''Thcn all Of sudden the light went
out-clrun out, Kcziah,' The old Nvom-
ans black eyes flashed.
so I've heard tell said Aunt Ke-
ziah
''AIl were screechin' for light They
might ha' reached 'em. John Allan said
SO. They wouldn't let ine go out n the
water with one. Ia hu' done it, but
twas all John Allan a-hoid,n' me on
shore. But they were all washed in
with the mornin'. Aha, they couldn't
hold me then! Don't let her lso,- cries
Marthy. a-hangin' to me. Bat didn't |
fling her down, an away | went to
meet EN- all a-layin' on the sand
Come early To the weddiu-i-They
wouldn't let me carry him, John Allan
wouldn't, but | went along. an my hair
BLOWN ON hIs face put on my white
frocIl, an mv wreath on my hair
pretty hair. kcziuh-"
And araiu Aunt Kcziah nodded
AN laughed at Marthy Allan an
Mary Anna a-cryin' an wringin' their
hand Twas a nice mnrnin' Go look
the oil woman suddenly turned her
eyes from the fire, with a return of rea-
son in them-''go look II its set" and
again l went to the window, and again
saw the line OF light streaming from
the bcifry tower.
Yes / said. Its there"
..Av. then tn get home she NUT
tered, and. reaching her stick, she
wrapped her cloak around her and hob
bled to the door.
Are you going to ride in the air?''
asked Dolly, whose eyes We're heavy
W rth sleep.
Aye! aye, Hear the pretty baby,
Yes, honey, III go on puff q wind!''
Maybe you'd best stop here" said
Aunt heziah. But Mother Shetio was
at the door.
Captains awaitin','' she said, and as
l lifted the latch she gave me a tap
with her stick Nice boy, he don't
throw stones no, no.
The wind rushed in and swept her
outward into the darkness 1 heard
the breakers lash the beach, and the
door slammed.
Did She really first set the belfry
light ! asked, once more by the fire
Aunt keziai nodded.
Long before my time They say it's
saved many vessel, too"
What put it out that night?" again
asked.
Your grandmother used to say no.
body ever knew. Owls or wind, most
likely. They say the ship might ha'
kept of the cape rock if there been
light but before another could be set
it went down"
OH exclaimed, and thought
awhile. Dolly's curly head had dropped
forward, and in the freight her cheek
was the color of the big roses Aunt
keziah kept for her jar of leaves.
What did she mean 10y wedding?"
| asked. presently. Whose wedding
WAS it?''
''Her own" said Aunt Keziah, wind
ing her yarn; lit was h%s boat. That's
when her mind went. that night. She
set light in the bclfry every night for
many Il year. till she got SO old the
parson got her QUITO it and had it done.
Shes got some sense left, but she lies
to tell the story over and over. Now,
go to bed, both o. you!'
But Dolly could not get awake, and
took her in my arms. Her head dropped
on my shoulder, and as | started up
stairs slowly, She murmured:
Coin to ride up n up with the
doves" Resting a minute on the steps
| kissed her rosy cheek, and looked
back at Aunt keziah.
Il wish | had known about it be-
fore" | said.
''Why?" she asked.
"Before | threw stones at Captain
''Oh. yes; the cats all she's got now
Aunt keziah looked up, with the
hearth broom in her hand
David" She said, you'd best re
memb Der always that when folks are
cranky in tins world, there's most time.
been a heap to make 'em SO, only other
folks don't think o. that part Out
look.
In Finish.
Crossing a field one day President