Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-25
AUNT LEAFY.
By E. L. Vincent.
NI BELIEvErn do it. John has been


few days, and maybe ] will fee
stronger when / come back"
She did not wait to take her big apron
of, but sat down at the desk and drew
out paper, pen and ink.
There was a little flush on her cheek;
but it was no wonder; she had been fly
ling around all the morning and was
tired. Someway she tired easily those
days. Johns salary was small, and
they kept no help in the kitchen.
"Pity II can't do the work for us
two!" she had said. and John, thought
less fellow, had let 1t go with the
thought that not one man in thousand
had such a jewel for a wife. II was
pheasant sitting at the table looking
lacross 81 Molly. and no one else near.
IL was long time before he began to
wonder why Molly's hand trembled 50
when she poured the tea. Then, he
could not help noticing that there was
a little pink spot on each Of Moly's
cheeks, which were unnaturally white
otherwise.
When he did notice these things,
though, he "made such fuss aboutit,"
as Molly herself said, that she had al
last made up her mind that she must do
something about it to keep peace in the
family.
Just then dear friend came quite OPP
portunely to the rescue. and sent Molly
such warm invitation to come out into
the country for a week or two, that
John had said he would carry her away
bodily II she did not go peaceably.
Dear Cynthia" so the letter began,
and thus 1t ended.
The stage drew up at the door, and
the driver came down 10 help some one
out.
.Who in the world"
Molly's dream of the country few
away on eagle wings, as she looked out
of the open window at the little old
woman, who was slowly trying TO get
her feet down on the walk.
mo one ever saw, anyway. Prob
ably she has made mistake; but I'll
go down and talk with her minute.
can write my letter all right after ]
come back"
Il was a clipper, bright-eyed, old
lady, who took hold OF Mary's arm TO
steady herself from the stage.
"Are you Johns wife?" she queried,
peering into the sweet, young face.
when at last she stood on the walk.
Eyes, yes. would have known you
from the picture he sent me. You don't
know me, but l do you. I'm Aunt
Leafy."
Molly had heard John speak of her.
well, Aunt Leafy, we are glad 10 see
you; that is. l am. and know John viii
be. too"
do you really think he will? don't
know about IL; don't know about il. ]
amt much account in the world any
more, seems TO me. I'll just hold on 10
your arm little as we go along. just TO
stiddy me. I'm gittin' old and shaky.'
"We'll all be so some day, maybe.
Aunt Leafy. You lean just as hard as
you have mind to. and we'll get along
all right. I'm good and strong, and
thankful for st."
BE ye? Well. we all ought TO be
thankfuller than we be. / don't often
complain; but settin' cramped up in
that old stage so long got kind of stiff.
I'll be better pretty soon. I'm real
smart for one of my age. You know
no you don't, either, but I'll tell ye-
I'm in my eighty-ninth year. Born 10
the year 1906. in Connecticut state"
"What long time ago!"
"Yes; it does seem good while. An
I've seen good deal in my day. What
a pretty house you've gotl shall en-
Joy IL here, know. An this porch;
what a nice, deep one. and so shady.
Anybody could sit down there and rest
TO their hearts content"
1--WE think our home is a pleasant
one, Aunt Leafy."
They were now in the CHEEKY west
room. How still and cool it was. Aunt
Leafy slowly took off her old, old bon
net; 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 a fan.
which Aunt Leafy used quite vigorous
~ for a moment. and then dropped
into her lap.
you wonder how I came to visit you
without askin', don't doubt; but I'll
tell you kind of gradual. don't feel
like sayin' much about it now. 1t hurts
me when / think of it,"
Then l wouldn't think of it. Aunt
Leafy."
Il can't help it, child. Ican't helpit:
and ! want to tell We all about it some
time, you an John. What good boy
John isl Always was. So different
from Ciliab; that was his half-brother.
older than him. Ciliab himself was a
pretty good boy; but arter he got mar
ried, someway he changed. 1t does
work that way with some men. guess
it's cause they git wimmen that don't
help 'em any. Nobody can ever say
that about me. always done my part.
If do say it,"
II don't doubt It, Aunt Leafy."
L. L