Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-07-27
Copyright, 1907, by J. B. Lippincott Company.
CHAPTER /.
ARRIVALS.

The fowcr-laden breeze of late May, |
carrying with it u threat of falling
weather, came in through the wide
easements, now putting out the dlmlty
curtains in white clouds, and again
drawing them against the tiny Panes
of the long French windows, which
had been set jar that Miss Ellery
might enjoy the balmy air and also
superintend work in the flower
garden upon which they opened.
One need not wish to look upon a
pretticr picture than this young
mistress made as she stood that
morning by a little deal table in the
great ElIery dining room, washing
with her own hands the breakfast
china and at the same time issuing
orders to the negro slaves.
A huge, bibbed homespun apron
protected her figured cotton morning
dress, white kerchief was demurely
crossed beneath her chin, and
snowy cap sat coquettishly upon her
brown head, in which gold and red
fought hard for supremacy. Her
sleeves were rolled above the elbow,
displaying handsome arm, while
small, slippered foot now and then
tapped imperiously upon the polished
floor as she gave some command.
The room itself was receiving its
morning cleaning. The drugget had
been taken up from the polished
floor and was having a good beating
out on the lawn al a sufficient distance
to keep the dust from flying into the
house: Aunt Rachel was rubbing
down the great mahogany dining
table and the smaller breakfast
table: Gabriel was polishing the
silver: Judith was looking over the
table linen that had been used for
breakfast and the last nights supper
to see if there were stains that should
be removed or worn places darned
before it was consigned to the
laundry; Enos was at work upon the
silver and glass candlestickS, while
in the garden outside Uncle Peter was
busy among the flowers. singing the
while at the top OF his cracked old
voice.
In the detached kitchen. some 20
feet from the house, Aunt Esther
and Aunt Deborah were sending up
quavering contraltos in rivalry of
Uncle Peters bass. accompanying
themselves with the rattle of pots
and pans, and interrupting now and
then to shout Il command or n threat
at their crew of picaninny assist
ants.
The watchful eyes of the mistress
We're everywhere, for the hand which
held the domestic reins during her
Stepmother'S absence was not lax
and ii took no little vigilance to
keep that army of lazy. grown-uI
black children to their tasks.
Uncle Peter" she called. in he1
mellow southern voice. 'methinks
you have been resting full ten min
.utes upon that rake. is the sur
then SO hot that you cannot work?"
Hist, missy" whispered the ole
darky, sticking his white cotton heaC
i'm through the window. "thah's
'band of Britshahs ridin' up d.
'av'new. Ole Petah hab bin watchin
der red coats tro' de trees
And il so" said the mistress calm
~. as she placed her china upon ;
silver tray and herself carried it I,
the china-closet, stoop-shouldere,
affair with glass-knobbed doors be
low and an overhanging shelf abov
on which were arranged such piece
as were kept out for display an
could not find room on the tall, CO.
'umned sideboard laden with silve
candlesticks and glass decanter.
gold-chased tankards. and ia
goblets, land if So" she re
peated, what of it? Are w
such poor royalists that we nee
fear his majesty's soldiers? Tu
tut, pick up your cloth, Aunt Rache
and go on with your cleaning. Thin
you the British will know that yo
remember Mr.. Washington in you
prayers, and in your heart espous
the cause of your old master, m
Uncle Eliiah?'
For lately James father ha
bought from his brother a number {