Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-06


. along. The girls were terriblv olson.
pointed-I've got to let down Anu
Tilly's white dress and LET mn Ev-
lma's; she's going to wear Ann Tilly's
, summer efore-last, and it's down to
her shoe-tops. Then they'll both of
them have to be done up fresh-if we
do go. that is. It's a great temptation.
I've a good mind"
of course you've a good mind!
i Don't you say another word ahout il,
Mrs. Dow-just you bring Chubby here
i Fourth o July, and drop him. Grand
ma Hiram'll take good care Of him, |
promise, and what she don't take
Grandpa Hiram WILL
The caller, after a few more feeble
protests, went away. But she came
back again.
Il don't suppose they were going
she hesitated, standing outside under
the window, her plain face tipped up-
wards at an odd angle. Johns wife
leaned out to answer.
Going Hiram TO the
celebration? And Grandpa Hiram?"
she cried, laughing mo, they don't go
TO celebrations. l guess you've forgot
ten they're IS years old! When YOU
and me get to be IS, We'll stay ut home,
Mrs. Dow-and take care of our own
Chubbies and babies!'
Mrs. Dow nodded soberly. didn't
know" she said: I'VE haven't got any
old folks at our house--I didn't know
how they felt
well. 1 know,-we've got some
here!" briskly. Celebrations aren't
| nlonp al fn1I
for babies: | haven't even told them
there was going to be celebration.
That's the best way"
''Yes?' murmured Mrs. Dow, Il didn't
know"
The Center was nine miles away, but
miles did not count now that the little
| narrow gauge railway leaped across
| them sturdily. On the Fourth there
would be an early-morning and a late
morning train put on, to accommodate
the periodically inclined. Grandfather
Hiram told Mother" about it, excitedly
'Ifalf-past 5 o'clock-thnk of that
Mother! That's SOS we won't miss
any of the celebration. And they
won't start back till after the fireworks.
I'm glad of that wouldn't want to
| miss the fireworks. You and me went
to some fireworks like that once when
we hadn't been married but a little
While.'
Three years, father. We had John
ME along. don't you remember? And
[ made him Il little red, white and blue
suit to wear. You We're dreadful proud
of that suit"
Grandfather Hiram put out his big
brown fingers and touched Mothers
hair. Il guess it was you l was proud
Of he said you was the prettiest lit
tie woman there was there,-mebbe ]
don't remember! You had the bright
est eyes, and your hair"
Father! '-but she laughed softly,
as if she liked it. Within the confines
of those four walls, the two old people
were lovers still. They had given up
their home and their well-bcloved indie
renGence, but they had never given up
their love for each other. Downstairs
everywhere else--they kept it hidden.
but here they loved to let it creep into
the light. 1t was a little like being
young again and forgetting the misery
of growing old.
you was the prettiest little woman
there," persisted Grandfather Hiram,
Sltuliy. SbtHS L u otS5IlJ W hlioN.
well, little Johnnie was the prettiest
baby" Mother smiled, reminiscently,-
Il ought to know that! Everybody
kept admiring him all day long. That
was on Fourth of July, too,-we had a
beautiful time that day, father.
The usefulness in her voice troubled
him. well have another beautiful
time this one. Mother" he cried. You
wait and see! I'm going to treat you
to a pink lemonade! j did then, don't
you remembcr?'
Remember?-did Mother remember?
sudden enthusiasm was born in her
for this other beautiful time that was
coming. She put away her knitting
and began to take out Grandfather Hi
rams best suit from the drawer in the
bureau. Piece by piece she held it up
to the light, searching with her dim old
eyes for spots.
I'll sponge it all up nice, any way.
she said, with soaptree bark. l sat up
late to make little Johnnie's red. white
and blue suit and got up dreadful early
to sponge your things. There was one
SPOT | kept at work on the longest
time!"
They talked late into the evening.
like two little children,-like Johnnie
and little Clemmy. The last thing
Mother said was about the trimming
on her best bonnet.
I'll turn it. l guess,-it hasn't been
lately, and it'll freshen me up. want
to be as fresh as l can, going off to eel
ebration with the young man | kept
company With"
Grandfather Hiram's brown hahd
sought her thin white hair again.
You'll be the prettiest little woman
there" he affirmed; you don't need 10
turn any O. your trimmings.
On the morning of the Fourth al the
pitchers got up early, very early. Ihete
was great confusion and hustle. johns
wife put up the luncheon and dressed
the children. She was Hurried ana I'M
natipnt under the nervous strain.
johnnie. don't you go a-near that
barn with all your best clothes on!
Clemmy, you're missing your Dress
YOU sit right down in your little rock
ing chair and stay set!'
cant I rock?" walled Clenihy.
Cant I do anything,-not breathe
Il don't like all my best CLONES Oh
ii, 1bnnia '"They pinch me-