The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-10-17

Sne dld when she was a girl
There wasn't hand that could beat me-, she
reasoned. 81 could do twice what most of them
could, and guess can yet When they see me run
a loom, they'll think l am pretty spry.
She put the house in ORDER leaving several days
supply of water for the chickens, and trusting them
to forage for food. Then she made her travelling
toilet putting on her black alpaca gown and adorn
ing the waist with large pink bow, as supposed
concession to fashion She wore her Sunday bon
net; but in her excitement forgot to pin it settled
down side of her head in a rakish and Jaun-
ty manner. In her old carpetbag she packed such
articles she deemed would be required, and tied
white apron about her waist
olks Is always eating IN the cars, I've been
told" she said "Some children might sit near me
and get grease on my front breadth"
After she had fairly started, she went back
twice to put the cat out and to hide the spoons.
She left a note on her niece's pin cushion.
Il amt going to be any more trouble to you"
so it ran. you'll find the spoons in the green
sprigged teapot, and be and cover the tomato
plants if it gets frosty
1t was something of walk through the woods to
the station, but she met one, and bought her
ticket with mingled JOY and apprehension.
strange youth stamped it and pushed it through
little grating, and the train whizzed in. man
in uniform helped her to get aboard and she sat
on the edge of the seat, her carpet bag grasped
tightly, her bonnet still perched insecurey over one
ear The brisk walk in the wind had disarranged
her thin grey hair, and it a very unkempt and
dishevelled old lady who arrived at -- early in
the afternoon and asked the way to "the mill"
There was not familiar building in sight; the
faces in the street were strange and her unaccus-
toned fast had weakened her.
"The mill ?" asked kindly woman whom she adj
dressed (Which one?"
care there two"
"Bless your heart grandma, there's dozen or
more!" was the reply. "And right across the street
is the office of the biggest one if you want to find
out anything
Aunt Abbie passed through the open portal
"What is it, grandma9 ?" asked man behind
railing.
Aunt Abbe was vexed.
II amt your grandma" she said; "and [ amt
that woman's grandma either. l want place to
work"
The man, being busy, attempted to dismiss her.
saying that no scrub women were needed.
II don't want to scrub" she answered. IT want
to a loom. I the spryest girl in the mill
once. You just let me try and you'll see."
"Move alongl" he said. "There are others wait
ing to see me- He thought her demented and,
from his point of view, had reason to do so.
She went out of the door, tears in her dim old
eyes Two boys "shied" pebbles at her. and called
her Mrs. Hayseed. No longer able to stand, she
sat down on the curb and crowd gathered. A po-
liceman, to the urchns' delight, sent in a call for
patrol wagon, and took her kindly, but forcbly, by
the arm
eff you'll let me, I'll take care of her." said
clear voice, a young made her way
through the crowd and put her about the be-
wildered Aunt Abbie "Come right along with me-
dearl" And she smoothed the struggling hair, and
put the bonnet straight with deft touches. Aunt
Abbie's grandfather fought at Bunker HILL and at
a friendly word she was her brave self again. Then
the cry of "a fightl' from the next corner at
tracted the boys well the guardian of the peace
and the women-one so old and one so young-were
left to themselves.
''What [ want is cup of tea" said Aunt Alb
bic, "and then I'm going straight home. Pm afraid
Pm going to have one of my headaches. I'm sub
iect to them. I saw such an awful place as
this is"
"Do you live here"
'AIy goodness, no! live in Hilltop, up in New
Hampshire, with my niece. She got tired of hav-
ing me round, and [ came here to work in the mill
as [ did when 1 was a girl [ used to run two
LOOMS" she added, with pardonable pride.
"Was it long agow
"Well, it was-why, declare it must have been
nigh on to sixty yearsp'
"They have machinery now that does most ev-
erything" explained the girl, they walked along,
dts you that are to have fine cup of tea with
me, then I'll see you safe to your train"
II can pay for it." said the independent Aunt
Abbie"
well see about that answered the girl, see
ing instnctivey that her charge was not suitable
object of charity.
81 can walk faster" said Aunt Abbie. dts
clearing off, and I'm afraid there will be frost.
and [ must cover up the tomato plants"
poor old soul! The disease we call nostalgia
had gripped her with iron bands. She thought of
all her simple joys-of the going behind the
mountains of her headache medicine, of her niece's
kindness in her days and nights of pain.
The strangely assorted pair had a confidential
talk in Norah Days little ballroom over the hot
cup of tea. The next train north would leave they
had ascertained, at o'clock and there was no need
of haste Each told her story; and Aunt Abbie
forgot her own troubles she listened to the young
Irish girl who was so sad and lonely and far from
home She and her young brother she said had
come to America the autumn before; he had gone
farther in search of work, and had never come
back
"Ay poor little Tim" she said. dts dead he
is or he would have written to ease my heart"
"There now," repeated Aunt Able Don't give
mn Mavhe his letters lost he don't know