The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-19

| the new, but always found a hiding
place for these tried friends
When l spied the brown pitcher, and
exclaimed "Myl Aunt Viney's butter
milk pitcher she so fondly filled with
milk at each churning for them blessed
white childuns egg-bread and waffes"
Can | speak of dear, true-hearted Aunt
Whey. our faithful, loyal and loving serv-
ant, who lived with us twenty-six years
as friend in sorrow and Joy?
Tears blind my eyes, my hand I'M
steady becomes, my heart aches over
these memories for she who so faithfully
cooked and spread the table with food
whose secrets of richness and daintiness
were known only to the old-time mann
N.Y., has crossed over the Jordan and
found crown In the New Jerusalem.
Nestle close to me little pitcher. quiet
the throbbings of my heart, while I tell
you your history.
Yes, I took you from the pantry shelf,
tucked you away in my trunk and
brought you home, to this big, bustling.
noisy city where you feel so shy and
look up to me and ask the question
What can do here In my little worn
brown dress among the bright and fash
ionably-dressed china, cut glass and sill
ver?'
DO, l answer, listen to me: "Out of
the whole big world I would take YOU. for
love you. Didn't honest hands fashion.
make you, and honestly parted with you
for food and raiment for little children !?
Those kindly, rough hands knew your
use; so started you into the big world
to serve mankind?" YES" It replied
but my work is so little only once a
day to hold the water for your plants"
"Ah No." I answered. that is only your
fcth ~ -
your breast, like the silent melodies in
great musicians heart, lies the key
that unlocks the golden memories of my
childhood days. The first glimpse I have
is when I, with a bound, would grab
Aunt Whey around the neck, when you
would be sitting near filled to the brim
with fresh butter milk. and would stay
her hand and cry out; mo, let me drink
right from the pitchers mouth before
you take 1t all lor waffles." Then she
would push me aside, her dear mulatto
face shining with love for dis her white
child. that is so bothersum, and don't
know how to do nothin', but sho do love
my fresh milk l churns.' Now comes
the vision OF that dear soul: "Jes washln'
and sunnin' all my kitchen things fore
Miss Mary come round prien and smellln'
like I amt clean and 'ticuar''
Go way. child, I tells you, I am pes
tered now bout gettin' nough waffles
for all dem mouths. and has a mind TO
fill you all up with cornbroad."
Aunt Whey came to us from Virginia
long after the war. and as she said:
"Dopted our family" and see the large
picnic basket filled to bursting with fried
chicken. light rolls, preserves. pickles.
jellies, and the cake light as air. all the
result of days OF labor so willing given
That STILL" says the pitcher. SIS little
to the great show the silver and cut
glass makes on the sdeboard and how
sad 1t makes me when hear the COM
pany admire and praise them. while I.
lonely and unobserved. sit here not even
ornamenting the dark corner" us 1t
not something to feed the soul?'' I asked
Things material have a fleeting value,
the painted china, the silver are appre-
ciated for their moneys worth, you
awaken memories that nourish my spirit,
my soul. the immortal part of my being.
You represent the loves Of my life; keep
alive the sentiment. the impressions of
childhood the aspirations of the maiden
and the loneings, yearnngs for the flu
ture Would you wish greater work,
more honor?"
The little thing snugged closer to me.
and we both drew apart into the corner
to remember more and love the deeper