Warren sheaf., 1898-12-01
AUNT BINA'S QUILT
By Mrs. o. w. Scott.

4 UNIT BINA EMERSON had pieced
~ the quilt from bits of calico given
her by the women and girls in Eden
that she liked. 1t was the lone wom-
ans ''love-quilt," with her shades Of af-
fection deliberately outlined in tiny
triangles. - 4
81 won't have any pieces in it that
call up anybody that's stingy, or stuck
up, or meddlesome, or. cruel" she said.
''Ill have it just as near like fresh air
and sunshine as it can be, so when I'm
sick it'll seem like nice, bright story -
"But you needn't have counted
every STITCH" protested her sister, Mrs.
Billings, in whose home she had her
cozy room.
"Anybody would think you were an
particular you've been," added pretty
Hetty Barton, for whose benefit the
quilt was now exhibited; and she
looked at the paper, covered with ca
halistic figuring, which was Aunt
Bina's actual record of stitches set.
well, stars or stitches, we like to see
how many we've got, and counting is
only pastime. The minister says we
can't think of two things at the same
time, but somehow I can count my
stitches and have most profita BILE
thoughts right along. I like the way
I've disposed of my lights and darks,
don't your Aunt Bina shook out the
great square complacently. W aaes- ssv
1T is beautiful!" Hetty exclaimed.
why, you've got piece of my light
blue in the middle; and here is my
pink, and there is my dark blue!'' :
Eyes; that's because l." Aunt Bina
had almost said ''love you," but she was
not in the habit of expressing herself in
that way. &a ~ & - e.
The young girl looked at her ques-
tioningly, then suddenly stopped and
dropped kiss upon her forehead.
Don't be foolish, child" said Aunt
Blna
When the last minute triangle was
finally set in it's corner Mrs. Billings
made ''quilting," to which every wom-
an came who was invited, for it was
well understood by this time that good
uess as we'll as gowns-according to
Aunt Blna,s measurement-was repre-
sEnted. ,.
"She ought to know who amongst us
is angelic, after being in our sick
rooms and kitchens so MANY years
they said.
In those days cuttings were sup
posed to be enlivened by much gossip,
but the women who gathered that after
noon, in the spring of 1862, wore anxious
faces and had but one theme Of conver-
sation, the sacrifices that the overbur-
dened nation seemed to be preparing
to ask from them. =.
They, have opened recruiting Of
fce,'' said one to another #s#o
Capt. Pillsbury's in charge. His
furlough is almost up, but he means
to get company enlisted before he
goes back" was the next bit of news.
= II should think we were far enough
cut of the world to be let alone" said
Mrs. Hastings, as she snapped the cord,
victim starch water, across the trinyles.
That's crooked!" interrupted her
1elghbor, referring to the work; then
she added, coming back to the topic,
"but don't wonder you feel so, with
three grown boys to worry about
We've no boys to spare, mere in
Iden,' added Mrs. Thornton; ''but Mas
sachusetts hasn't failed to do her part
so far, and I've expected our time would
come
''Her John'll be one of the first to
enlist, now you see!" whispered two
busy workers on the opposite side of
the quilt. 3a
And SO Improved; for when, at twi-
light, the husbands and brothers came
in to partake Of Mrs. Billings bounti-
iul supper, bringing the Boston papers
ind the news Of the day, they gave the
a.ames Of those who had enlisted that
etternson, and the first One was John
.lshnrston's.