The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-05-08
I he 7 transformation of Cousin
Rebecca.
RY HOPE DARING

BY HOPE DARING
Outside the north wind shook the
giant naples by the gate and drove the
sleet against the windows of the farm.
house. Within the PLEASANT sitting-roam
the Lees, father, mother and four children,
were gathered around the big centre
table. Clinton, the oldest son, had list
brought the mail from the country post.
Office a mile distant, and they were all
reading.
Mrs. Lee glanced upfrom all openlcttcr
a grave look upon her serene face.
please all listen to this letter.
Mr.. Lee dropped his paper. Huldah,
the nineteen-year-old daughter, laid
down her own letter. The boys, ranging
in age from seventeen to thirteen, looked
up from papers and magazines. Mrs.
Lee read.
Smithfield, Jan. 3. 1897.
Dear Cousin:-I have been sick again
and the doctor says | must leave the
factory or die l am coming to stay
with you. viii get there ON the after
noon of the ninth. will be well enough
to do work to pay for my board.
Yours,
Rebecca Davis"
There was moments silence. Con-
sternation was written on each face,
Clinton was the first to speak.
The ninth. That will be day after
tomorrow. Will there be time enough,
mother, to write and tell Cousin Rebccca
we don't want her."
My SOM"
Eve do not, Clinton said doggedIy,
land 4 person who invites herself should
not mind being told So
The other boys nodded approval, and
Clinton went on:
Its just this way. mother. Cousin
Rebecca is the crosscst, crankiest old
maid in existence. She scolds when she
is here as no one else on earth would dare
to. Our home life will be spoiled by her
coming. You know winter is our best
time, for then we do not have to have
hired men or hired girl, and we have d
good time together"
Cousin Rebecca is forty-hve, two
years older than l am" Mrs. Lee began
gently. 'She has never married, because
she cared for her infrm and crippled
father all through the years Of her child
hood and early girlhood. After
uncle's death there was little property
left and Rebecca went into the factory
She has been there ten Years. am
afraid any Of us would have grown I'M
lovely in those long, drcary years. Now,
she is in poor health, Charles" turning
to her husband, what do you say"
Mr. Lee was silent moment. Gcner-
Gus hospitality was the law of that
household. Still Clinton was right; their
merry, happy home life would be spoiled
by the coming of Miss Davis.
81 do not see how we can refuse to let
her come" he said slowly. II know it
will be unpleasant, but"
"There'll be no more wliistiing, singing
or laughing i'll the house." Ralph cried.
mo popping corn or making taffy,"
Hubert exclaimed "Huldah will not be
allowed to read to us, and we might as
we'll all go in mourning"
Eve have not heard word from you,
Huldah," Mr.. Lee said to his daughter.
What do you say"
Huldah had picked up her work, Il
feecy white shawl she was crocheting for
her mother. Her blue eyes were fixed on
the needle which went flashing in and
out of the mass of snowy wool while she
said:
81 wish Cousin Rcbccca was like Alice
Raymor's Aunt Alice"
There was a chorus of approval from
the boys.
But she isn't" Ralph said, ANY more
than she is like the little queen mother
LET us imagine she is like Mrs Ray
NOR, gentle, refined and allectionatc. Let
us imagine it so intensely that she will
believe it herself
what do you nlean?" the boy de-
mandcd.
Better put up your work and tell us
all about it" said MIR. Lee.
Huldah shook her head 81 can tell it
better if do not sec you looking at me,
SO I'll keep my eyes on my work. When
mother was talking Thought of what a
sad life Cousin Rcbecca's had been. I
read the other-day that there was latent
good in every one, only III some cases it
had not been awakened into life. l am
sure there is in Cousin Rebccca's nature
something which might have grown up
into sweet, gracious womanhood. You
know, boys, how easy it has always been
for us to imagine things. There is our
trip through England, for an example.
Let us imagine Cousin Rebccca is the
the dearest kind OF a woman and treat
her accordingly
"What for;?' practical Ralph demand
ed.
The pink on Huldah's checks dccpened.
Hoping she will come to what we
Mother, l am sure you see
what mean
Yes, dearest and it is beautiful
thought. Poor Rebecca's life is narrow,