Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-11-28

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ry the log cabin back home with her.
| To think Of all the pride she had taken
in piecing II, and now It was all lost.
She could not bear It.
Just then bright faced young girl
| touched her on the arm and said,
"Have you had chance to speak to
my sister YETI
III don't even know who your SIS
ter is Mrs Esterbrook stammered.
"Why. she's the bride! Come, I'll
| take you to her,"
As they came near to the daisy
| trimmed bower John Hosmer caught
sight of his aunt and sprang forward.
| "Why, Aunt Rizpah: where did you
come from? Pm delighted to see you!
But you wrote you could not be here"
He gave her such q greeting that the
best cap was sadly, disarranged aid
both the hair bracelets and the bead
bag landed on the floor.
"And this is my Laura" he contin-
ued, introducing the pretty bride at his
side.
I'm so glad to know Aunt Rizpah,"
she said, kissing her affectionntely. and
holding the black mitted hand tender.
ly, for John has told me so much
| about you"
'If you had only let us know you
were coming" he continued. you
would have been the guest of honor
and the first to congratulate MS in
stead of the last
This was balm to the old lady's trou-
bled soul. and the wounds began to
heal like magic. But she simply an
sweretl. IL thought it would be nice
to surprise you"
at seems no time since used to
| spend my summers with you. Aunt
Rizpah." her nephew continued. This
is about the time CT the year you put
up the sour cherries, isn't it? And that
makes me think-come with me. l
want to show you platter Laura had
among her wedding presents that's
precisely like the one you used to sun
your cherries on"
Regardless Of the fact that he was
breaking over a formality In leaving
| his post, he took his aunt into the
| dining room adjoining, where. in cor
ner cupboard, was displayed with
numerous other old dishes, Lafayette
landing platter.
Nothing ever tasted so good as those
preserves you used to. put up, Aunt
Rizpah. VIII you make me some
some time" John Hosmer inquired as
he opened the door Of the cupboard.
"Hush, Johnnie, don't let any one
hear. but I've got you jar up stairs
in my basket"
"Bless your heart. Aunt Rizpah. You
are the only one who has thought to
bring me present. and assure you l
appreciate it."
He took out the platter to show her.
"Why, why, Johnnie" she c1claim-
ed excitedly, "just look at this nick"
Mick! Why, that's nothing" said
hsr nephew, laughing heartily. Laura
ts getting collection Of cid fashioned
crockery, and you ought to see some of
the things she pickb up. Why, hicks
and cracks add to the value of dish"
mo. no: but this particular nick!
Johnnie. that's my old blue platter.
and there's no mistakin It. Er-er-
Johnnie. ] sold 1t SO as to come here
today. The Lady said she wanted it
for weddln present, and this Is where
she's sent it. 1t does seem as If the
hand of Providence was in it all."
Here was truly most interesting
coincidence. The story was told to
Laura. and she knew vt once, from the
description given of the one who had
bought the platter, that it was indeed
her friend. Mrs. Ridgsway, her col
league in china hunting.
Seeing you are SO fond of old fash
Toned dishes, Laury." Mrs. Esterbrook
now ventured to add, maybe, after
all. you'd like the log cabin quilt
brought along for you. l was goin to
take it back home with me, for
thought 1t would seem SO little among
all these fine presents"
$50 little! Why. you couldn't have
given me anything that would have
liked better. My grandmother willed
me her old teSter bedstead and have
been trying to find something that
would be appropriate to put on 1t, and
now you have brought me just what I
want"
And so the quilt was sent for, and
Mrs. Estcrbrook found herself the GEN.
ter of an admiring group as she point
ed out the pieces with history. Then
they all praised her sewing, and, oh.
what proud moment it was for her
and how she blessed the sale of the
old blue platter that had brought her
80 much pleasure!
And now. Aunt Rizpah," the bride
said as in her travelling dress she was
bidding goodby 10 her guests, you
must promise to come and spend the
winter with u.s."
Yes. and il you will, Aunt Rizpath,"
the nephew added. ..we'll come to visit
you next summer. Wen come in sour
cherry time. and II I'll bring along the
old blue platter, will you make us some
sun cherries?"
And Mrs. Estcrbrook promised, while
some kernels from the shower of rice
landed In the best lace cap and fell In
the ample folds of the black brocade
dress.