Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-04-16
BLACK JANE WAS

about eggs; she dreamed eggs. Her
hope and courage never failed. not
even when it lacked four days of the
appointed time and her egg was still
without an outside.
"Law, Aunt Deb, amt l brung up
long O. triberlatioI s? Amt I alters
made out to fetch up at de head? rs
gwine out dis minute ter 'vestergate de
store winders. Spec I'll skiver sump'n
'fo' comes home"
So saying. Chloe Ann put on her hat
and shawl and started off, singing in a
high key:
Hump yo'se'f ter de load an fergit de
distress
An dem wat STAINS by ter scoff.
Fer de harder de pullin' de longer de
res,
An de bigger de feed in de trough"
In less than half an hf Ir she was
back again. There was package in
her arms and look of lemn joy on
her face.
"Come in de udder roor !" she said in
hoarse whisper, and Aunt Deb went
into the other room without a moments
delay.
When the two emerged from the lit
tie bedroom they quivered with the aw-
fulness of the secret in their posses
sion
The eventful day dawned at last, but
it seemed to Chloe Ann the longest
day of her life. She was dressed for
the evening long before the time, and
as soon as the clock struck Z she ran
to the schoolhouse.
When she opened the door she was
dazzled with the sight. The boys had
trimmed the large room most tasteful
ly with evergrecns and had arranged
flags and other draperies with charm
ing effect.
The Easter eggs We're displayed on
tables near the wall There were
emerys almost las small as sparrers'
aigs." with Il rosette and loop of very
narrow ribbon Mt each end; eggs of
dainty satin filed with tempting can
dies; eggs covered with swansdown
containing bottles Of perfumery OF
waiting to receive Il lady's jewel, and
eggs resplendent in blue and red vel
vet or plush large enough to hold com.
fortably the large dolls that lay
within.
Chloe Ann smiled cheerfully upon
the rival eggs and went her way, os.
tentatiously tossing over her shoulder
the long scarlet ribbons that depended
from Il tight braid that stood out a;
! right angles TO her head and was eX
antlv three inchns Ion"
An hour later she met Florence
Evans, whom she had described as
dat gal wild de long' yaller curls."
Where's your egg?" inquired Flor.
ence.
Reckon it's at home" was the cool
response.
Reckon you're ashamed to show it."
said the girl mockingly.
Like 'nough," replied Chloe Ann.
with apparent Indifference
"Why, Chloe Ann, isn't your egg here
YETI" exclaimed Mrs. Dodd. "All the
eggs were to be here at o'clock"
Oats Il fack," said Chloe Ann very
| gravely, but Aunt Deb's mighty spc-
cial wild dat aig. She's gwine TO fetch
] it herself"
Just as the committee who were to
award the p l2e were about to with,
draw for their conference Chloe Ann
! opened the outside door and thrust Il
very anxious face out into the dark,
ness.
Here | is,' painted Aunt Deb. An
you kin praise yo' sta's dat is come.
| | amt nebber on'ertuk no sech skittish
| job as dis afo, An you amt never
| year no sech racket as come fun de
| inside o. dish yer aig. | 'clar' ter good
ness, twas wuss'n totin' clock"'
"Here, Judge Carlton" said Mrs
Dodd, taking the huge bundle from
Aunt Deb's reluctant arms and giving
81 20 n gentleman standing near her.
ut Is so late that you will have to ex-
! hlbit this egg from the platform"
Judge Carlton proceeded to the plat
form. closely pursued by Aunt Deb.
Hello" shouted small boy, "A
! popcorn egg!'
4 popcorn egg, sure enough, and shin
ing and sparkling as IL Jack Frost had
breathed upon it! \ murmur of sur.
I prise and admiration ran through the
I room.
Mrs. Dodd stepped upon the plat
form and assisted Judge Carlton tc
raise the upper half of the great egg.
When Black Jane Aunt Deb's ia
vorite hen, was disclosed sitting on Il
nest of white cotton batting everybody
began to clap; then a dozen fluffy lit
80 thrust ssss:5 1T II ;.a1 I'm