The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-20
BY ELLA HIGGIN SON

| Ills ClOtCS. Oh q ought 10 tdlh.
We'll, if 1 egged you on, I'm sorrytfe
t." said Mrs. Endey, solemnly. Ever
eGe that fit o. sickness l had month
ago, I've felt kind O. old an ro-account
myself, IS if I'd like to let all hollis &C
and jest rest. j don't spunk UP like
ust to. No, he didn't go to Peterson'c--
he's GAVIN right on. My land! 1 wonder
f it amt old Gran'ma Eliot; she had a
bad spell-no, he didn't turn that corner
can't think where's he's goin' toy
She sat down with a sigh of defeat.
A smile glimmed palely across Emar
Tres face, and was gone. Maybe if you'd
go up in the attic you could see better, y
she suggested, dryly.
| "Oh, Emarine, here comes old Gran ma.
Eliot herself! Run an open the door fer
her. She's limpin' worse'n usual"
Emarine flew to the door. Grandma
Eliot was one OF the few people she
loved She was large and motherly. She
wore black dress and shawl ard funny
bonnet with frill of white lace around
her brow Emarine's face softened when
she kissed her. I'm so glad to see you,
she said, and her voice was tender
change Usually it wore look of doubt.
if not of positive suspicion. but now it
| fairly beamed. She shook hands cordially
with the guest and led her to a comforta-
Gle chair.
| Il know your rheumatic is worse" she
said cheerfully' because you're
| limpin' so. Oh. did you see the Under
taker go up by here? We can't think
where's he goin' to. D. you happen to
| Know?"
mo, / don't, an I don't want to,
| neither" Mrs. Eliot laughed comfortably
Mis- Endey, you don't ketch me fooln'
| with undertakes till have to-" She sat
| down, and removed her black cotton
| gloves. "I'm gettin' to that age when 1
don't care much where undertakers go
i 10 so longs they let me alone. Fixia'
fer Christmas dinner, Emarine. dear?"
Yes, ma am said Emarinc in her
very gentlest tone. Her mother had never
| said dear" to her, and the sound of 1T
on this old lady's lips was sweet. Wont
! you come an take dinner with us?"
The old lady laughed merrily. cob,
dearie me, dearie me! You don't guess
my sons folks could spare me now, 10
you? / spend ev'ry Christmas 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. My! Mrs. Endey, you
don't know what comfort a daughter
in-law is when you get old an feeble!"
| Emarine's face turned red. She went to
the table and stood with her back to the
older women; but her mothers sharp
eyes observed that her ears grew scarlet.
can l never will said Mrs. Endey
grimly.
You've got a son-in-law, though. who s
| worth a whole townful of most sons-in-
law. He was such a good son, too. Jest
| worshipped his mother; couldn't bear her
out o. his sight. He humored her high
and low That's Jest the way Sidonie
does with me. I'm getting cranky's 1
get older, an sometimes I'm reel cross
an sassy to her; but she jest laffs at
me an then comes an kisses me, an I'm
all right again. It's blessin' right from
God to have daughter-in like that"
| The knife in Emarine's hand slipped.
and she uttered a little cry.
"Hurt your" demanded her mother,
sternly.
Emarine was silent, and did not turn.
| "Cut you, Emarine? Why don't you
answer me? Aigh?"
/ "A little." said Emarine. She went into
the pantry and presently returned with
/ narrow strip of muslin, which she
wound around her finger.
''Well, l never see! You never will
learn any gumption. Why, don't you
| look what you're about Now go around
| Christmas with your finger all tied up
ooh, thatll be all right by tomorrow"
said Mrs Eliot, cheerfully won't it.
| Emarineo Never cry over split milk,
Mrs Endey; 1t makes body get wrinkles
| TOO fast. O. course, Orvlle's mothers
ccmin' to take dinner with you, Ema-
rine?"
Dear mel" exclaimed Emarine,' in d
sudden futter 81 don't see why them
cranberries don't come. I told Orville
| 10 hurry 'em up. I'd best make the
noatin' island while wait"
| Il stopped at Orvilles mothers as I
came along. Emarine.''
Howe" Emal1ne turned in a startled
| way from the table.
II say stopped at Orvilles mother S
IS 1 came along"
"Oh!"
"she weIl?" asked Mrs. Endey.
$50, she amt. Shakin' like she had
| the St. Vitus dance. She's failed horri-
ole lately. She'd ben crying. Her eyes
| was all swel,cd up
There was quite silence. Then Mrs.
Sndey said: what she ben cryin
| about?"
why, when asked her she jest LATED
| lind of ptifui an said: oh, only my
| 1omfoolishnoss, O. course. She said she
always got to thinkin' about other Christ
masses But cheered her up. / told her
| stat a good time 1 always had at my
sons an how Sidonie jest couldn't do
enough for me. An ] told her to think
what nice time she'd have here t Ema
rine's tomorrow"
Mrs. Endey smiled. what she say to
| that?"
"Shc didn't say much. l could see
she wcs thankful though, she had a sons
TO go to. She said she pltied all poor
| wretches that had set out their Chrlstmas
alone Poor Old lady, she amt got much
srunk left. She's all broke down. But
| cheered her up some. Sech : wisht,;
| look took holt o her when | pictured
her dinner over here at Emaripes.
can't seem TO forget it. Goodness, ! must
&C. I'm on my way to Sidonie's, an shc1
DC comm after me ii I amt on time
When Mrs. Eliot had gone limpirs
| fac I-,,do coli