The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-10-25
RfBECCA'S
WEAVING
A Story of Little River
BY ClARlSSA MACkIE


In the weaving shed under the wal
nut tree. Rebecca Oswald sat with idle
hands before the big loom. There was
pungent smell of green walnuts and
the peculiar odor of rankly growing
hollyhocks that latticed the window
with fiuted pink cups.
Rebecca's lips were curved ifif@
bitter smile as she dreamed In the
mellow gloom of the shed. Her slender
form, erect and motlonless, was sharply
outlined against the light
Within the shed everything was i'm.
maculately clean and fresh with the
penetrating odor of cedar shingles.
The big loom filled one end of the
room with Its massive framework, and
in the corners were rolls Of rag carpet
anu several baskets filed with bright
hued rag strips.
Maria Oswald paused In the door.
way. her round eyes peerIng sharply
Mt her sisters tense profile. "Rebec-
ca. what the land are you doing" she
asked sharply.
l.ebecca started and turned her head.
81 wasn't doing anything, Maria. was
nesting awhile"
The older sister advanced and sat
down In chair near the lnnm: her
keen eyes Se'ached Rebeccu sen
sitive face uid her own Redeemed with
Indignation IL saw Ida Benjamin's
boy colAIns out of the gate. What did
he want?" she demanded.
HE brought some rags; his mother
wants some mats made-for Edna"
said Rebecca quietly.
''Of course you won't make them"
protested Maria.
II must--lf don't. Ida win say its
because of Edna marrying Myron."
IF that amt just like Ida Benja.
nin-the spltefulest critter that ever
drew breath, Why didn't she take the
rags down to Peterkin?" Suddenly
Maria's disturbed countenance became
an urbane mask. Don't you dare cry.
Rebecca Oswald" she added fiercely;
shes coming now!'
A shadow darkened the doorway.
and Ida Benjamin entered. She was
a tall. strongly built woman, with
coloress hair rolled stiffiy away from
her salow skinned face. Cold blue
eyes were set unpleasantly close to a
prominent nose hooked above bitter
mouth. She carried herself with the
proud insolence of one whose weapons
are always unsheathed Ida Benja-
Minis keeuest weapon of attack and
defense lay behind the even rows of
ward with an amplitude of starched
skirts.
BUSY rs bee. Rebecca. declare
you're always at 1t. amt you? I'll
take this chair. Maria. You needn't
get up She beamed amiably upon
the sisters
Rebecca removed her foot from the
treadle and turned to the newcomer
Robbie brought the rags, Ida. What
color warp do you want?'
white | guess. Do you think you
can get them done by the list of Octo
Der? They are for Ednas new house
and She paused significantly.
why not take them down to Peter
kin? He's starving for work. and Re
beccas got all she can do" interpo-
lated Maria acidly.
81 want nobody but Rebecca should
touch them" protested Ida Benjamin.
being Ednas wedding outfit, they are
very special. and Rebecca makes such
pretty mats"
"Very well. Ida; | can make them.
There's plenty of time before the LIST
of October Tell me how you want
them made" said Rebecca quietly.
While the two women discussed the
making OF the rugs-or mats as they
are called In Little River-Maria arose
and silently left the weaving she'd
Alone with Rebecca Oswald, Mrs
Benjamin dropped the ball of rags she
had been displaying to the weaver
and leaned back In her chair. We'll.
Rebecca. hope you don't hold any
hard feeling toward me and Edna"
she said, with a malicious smile.
I'VE never have been intimate
friends. Ida; you know that" said Re
becca proudly. "but why do you imag
Inc that should feel any especial en-
nifty toward you now?"
For an instant Ida Benjamin's sallow
face Redeemed then. as If Rebecea's
question offered an opening for which
she had long waited. the color left her
cheeks sallow and strained. aud she
spoke eoldly and deliberately:
"You needn't pretend you don't mind
losing Myron White after keeping com
pany with him for FIVE years. or
course he's older than Edna. but the
very minute he set eyes on her he lost
his heart. You can't blame him. Re
becca: Edna's so young and fresh. and
you-and me. too-are not as young as
we used to be. There; you needn't red
den up and look so proud. Rebecca
You might as well look the truth In the
face as to pretend you don't care.
"Have you got anything more to
sayT' asked Rebecca icily.
Ida Benjamin hesitated An eager
question had burned her tongue for
Ave years. 70 her coarse grained MIND
there was no indelicacy In the asking
OF such a question. but she did shrink
from Rebecca's answer. She felt In
stinctively that Rebecca Oswald would
speak nothing but the truth Her eager
ness now found vent In the question.
Sarah Quigley says that years ago.
before I married Jonah Benjamin, ne
eourted you and wanted to marry you