The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-03

uont know me, but / do you. I'm
Aunt Leafy."
Molly had heard John speak of her
WELL Aunt Leafy, we are glad to
see you; that is, I am, and 1 know
John will be, too"
do you really think he willie I
don't know about it, l don't know
about it. Iain't much account in the
world any more. seems Co me. I'll just
hold on to your arm a little as we go
along, just to stiddy me. I'm gittin'
old and shaky
SWELL all be so some day, mabe,
Aunt Leafy. You lean just as hard as
ever you have a mind Co, and we'll get
along all right. I'm good and strong
and thankful for it."
BE yea Well, we ought to be thank
fuller than We be. I don't often COM
plain; but settin' cramped up in that
old stage so long I got kind of stiff
I'll be BETTER pretty sood I'm real
real smart for my age. You know
no, you don't, either, but I'll tell ye.
I'm in my eighty ninth year. Born in
the year 1909, IN Connecticut State"
"WhaE a long time agoI"
And Molly looked down at the wrin,
killed. face. Would she ever live TO be
as old4 If she did, would she not
need help, too9
Yes; it does seem a good while.
An / seen a good deal IN my day. What
a pretty house you've got! L sheu IN
Joy it here, / know. An this porch;
what a nice, deed one, and so shady
Anybody could sit down there and
rest to their hearts content"
We think our home is a pleasant
one, Aunt Leafy."
They were now il the CHEEKY west
room. How still and cool it was
Aunt Leafy slowly took off her~oId,
old bonnet; old in fashion and old in
material, and the thin, gray shawl,
and dropped into the easy chair which
Molly drew forward. Molly brought
out q fan which Aunt Leaty used quite
vigorously for a moment, and then
dropped into her lap.
You wonder how I come to vieit
you without askin', I don't doubt; but
I'll tell you kind O. gradual. / don't
feel like sayin' much about 1T now. 1t
hurts me when / think of it,"
''Then I wouldn't think of it, Uunt
Leaty."
II cant't help it, child. can't help
it, child. Icsn't help it; and I want
to tell ye all all about it sometimes,
you and John. What a good boy
John is! Always was. So different
from CIliab; that was his haIt-brother,
older than him. CIliab himself was a
pretty good boy; but arter he got mar
RED, somewsy he changed. 1t does
work that way with some men. l
guess it's they git wimmiu that
don't help 'em any. Nobody can ever
say that about me. l always done my
part, If l do say it."
II don't douOt 1t, Aunt Leafy."
"Ciliab's wife had such q temper !
She had a good deaf to put up with
nine children, and me- into the bargain
You don't wonder n got cross some
times, do yea HOr / neither, But If
that had a been all, l never should
have SAID a word Ye sea, men Josiah
-GhRGs my huaOaad-died, he left me
q Hne little property. We was al
ways careful ana saving, and l done
my part. after he was gone, there
didn't seen TO be any where for me to
go but tc CiIIaO's. l knew it was goin'
TO be quite an undertaken for them to
have such an old woman as | be In the
family, and 30 did CIliab's wife. An
she limited two Or three times that it
would be worth a good deal to look
arter me. Finally she limited so strong
that I told Clliab il he'd take what
money I had and take care Of me the
rest Of my days, I'd make it over to
him. Ny | didn't CIliaO's wife jump at
tnatl She didn't let him sleep tlll the
papers was all made out. l thought
| had done the best l could; but / was
always ready to go on and help what l
could around the house, into the bar
gain. / never could sit still and let
somebody else do the work You'll
find that out"
But we won't let you do anything
unless you want to, Aunt Lsaty."
"AII right; we'll leave 1t just that
way. Bat / was goin' TO say: OF ali
the unlucky men you yer seed, Ciliab
beats all. Why, everything went
wrong. Holes would come in his barn
floor, an the horses and cattle would
fall through aud break their legs, so