The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-26

L
ANYHOW 1 only told Orvill'
house Want big enough fer his N
an me, an that neither O. u;
knuclsle down, so he'd best ia
choice. You'd ought to talk"
"Well, if egged you on, ~
fer t." said Mrs. Endey g
" Evor scnce that fit O sickn'
O. month ago, I've feel kind
no account myself, as if I'd
all hollis go, an jest res
spunk up, nko>I .ust to. NJ
60 to Poterson's-Ra's .gaw
My land I wonder Il il
Gran ma Eliot she had h
no, he didn't turn that corn'
think where he's goin' to !"
Sho sat down with O sig
A smile glimmered pc
Emarine's face and was go
be If you'd go up in the
could soc bettor," she eugge'
con, Emarine, here
Gran'm Eliot herself Rim an,
tho door fer'cr. She's limRin, wor
usual"
Emarine few to the dob br. Grano
ma Eliot was one Of the lew neonle
she loved. She was large nd mother.
ly. Sac wore u black dress and shawl
and Il funny bonnet, with n trill If
white lace around her brow -
Emarines face softencdf wheo sbo
kissed her. Pm so glad 20 nee Won % y
she said, and her ,yoicse.T%as %as ;ender.
Even Mrs. ErGGey's face underwent q
change, Equally it wore d Look of
doubt, If not Of positive suspicioh 4but
now 1t fairly beamed. She shook
hands cordially with the guest and led
her to Il comfortable chair.
81 know your rheumatic lis worsc,"
she said, cheerfully, "because you're
limpin' so. On, did you see the under
taker go up by here? We can't think
where bo's goin' to. D' you happen to
No, I don't; an l don't want to,
neither" Mrs. Eliot laughed com
fortably. "Mis' Endey, you don't
ketch me fooln' with undertakers till
have to-" She sat down and removed
her black cotton gloves. "I'm
gettln' to that ago when | don't care
much where undertakers go to 50 long
s they let me alone. Fixin' fer Christ
mas dinner, Emarine. dear ?"
Yes, ma'am," said Emarine, in her
very gentlest tone. Her mother had
never said dear" to her, and the
sound of it on this old lady's lips was
dinner with us ?"
Tho old lady laughed merrily.
don't guess my sons folks could spare
me now, do you? spend ev'ry Christ
mas there. They most carry me on
two chips. My sons wife, Sidonie,
she nearly runs her feet off waitin' on
me. She can't do enough fer me. NV,
Mrs. Endey, you don't know what a
comfort a daughter-inlaw is when you
get old an feeble !"
Gmarinc's face turned red. She
went to the table and stood with her
back to tho older women; but her
mothers sharp eyes observed that her
ears grew scarlet.
An nevor WILL" said Mrs. Endey
grimly.
You've got son-in-law, though,
who's worth whole townful Of most
too; jest worshiped his mother:
couldn't bear her out of his sight He
humored her high and low That's
Jest the way Sidonie does with me.
Pm gettin' cranky $ I get older, an
sometimes I'm real cross an sassy to
her; but she jest laffs at me, an then
comes an kisses me, an Pm all right
ag'in. It's blessin' right from God
to have daughter-in-law like that"
The knife in Emarine's hand slipped,
and she uttered a little cry.
" Hurt you?" demanded her mother,
sternly.
Emarine was silent. ana did not
turn.
"Cut you, Emarine? Why don't
you answer me? Aigh ?"
" A little," said Emarinc. She went
into the pantry, and presently return
{,,f,> e 1, IT,,
she wound around her finger.
Well, never see You never will
learn any gumption ? Why don't you
look what you're aoout? Now, 90
around Christmas with your finger all
tied upn'
"Oh, that'll be all right by to-mor-
row." said Mrs. Eliot, cheerfully.
" Won't it, Emarine? Never crv over
split milk, Mrs. Endey it maxes o
body get wrinkles too fast. O. course
Orville's mothers comm to take din
ner with you, Emarine."
Dear mo - exclaimed Emarine. in
H. sudden tlutter. 81 don't see Wbv
them cranberries don't come T told
Orvlllo to hurry 'em up. I'd best make
the iloatin' island whileI wait"
" stopped at Orville's mothers as I
came along, Emarine."
HOw?' Ema:ine turned in a startled
way from the table.
Il say stopped at Orville's mothers
is cam,. along"
"Oh !"
"She well ?" asked Mrs. Endey.
No. she, amt; shakin' like she had
,he Saint Vitus dance. She failed hor-
'able lately. She'd ben cryin'; her
eyes was all swellcd up"
There was quite silence. Then
Mrs. Endey said, " What she ben
;ryin' about?"
"Why, when I asked her she jest
affed kind o. pitiful, an said oh,
'nly my .tomfooIishness, o. course
Said she always got t. thinkin' about
'ther Chrfstmases. But [ cheered
Ter up. | told her what good time
always had at my sons, an how
5idOnie jest couldn't do enough fer
ne. AM | told her to think what q
1icc time she'd have here It Emarine's
Mrs. Endoy smiled. "What she say
% that ?'
"She didn't say much. could see
,1N I ~l,f fall l.