The Forrest City times., 1914-08-21
CHAPTEN Vi-ContInued.

It plagued" the others, however, to see that none of them could get ahead of Blossy in their noble endeavors to make Abraham feel himself light and welcome burden. She 1t was who dis covered that Abes contentment could not be absolute without griddlecakes for breakfast three hundred and sixty five times year; she 1t was who first baked him little saucer cakes and pies because he was partial to edges; and Blossy 1t was who made out list of 'Don'ts" for the sisters to follow in their treatment of this grown-up young-old boy.
 Don't scold him when he leaves the doors open. Don't tell him to wipe his feet, Don't ever mention gold minee or shiftless husbands" etc. etc
 All these triumphs of Blossy's in tuition served naturally to spur the others on to do even more for Brother Abe than they had already done, until the old man began to worry for fear that he should git split" When he lay down for his afternoon nap and the house was dull and quiet without his waking presence, the ladies would gather ill groups outside his door as if Nh a kings antechamber, waiting for him to aw2ken, saying to one another ever and again, "Sh, sh," He pro- fessed to scoff at the attentions he received, would grunt and growl ''Humbug!" yet nevertheless he thriVed in this latter-day sunlight. His old bones took on flesh. His aged kindly face, all scanned with care as it had been. filled out. the wrinkles turning into wrinkles. Abraham had grown young again. With the return of his youth came the spirit of youth to the Old Ladies home. Verify yer lily. as Blossy had avowed from the first, they had been in sore need of the masculine presence. The ancient coat and hat, which had hung Tn the hall so long, had perhaps served lss purpose in keeping the burglars away, but this lifeless substitute had ne. prevented the grabbed gnomes of lone Illness and discontent from stealing in Spinster, wife and widow, they had every one been warped by the testy 5est-soness of the old maid
 Now. instead of fretful discussions of health and food, recriminations and wrangling, there came to be laughter and good humored chatter all the day long each sister striving with all her strength to preserve the new-found harmony of the home There were musical evenings, when Miss Abigail opened the melodeon and played "Old Hundred" and Abraham was encour aged to pick out with one stiff fore finger My Grandfathers Clock Hymn tunes" were sung In chorus and then, in answer to Abe's appea for something lvelier, there came time-tried ditties and old. old love songs. And at last, one night, aftel leaving the instrument silent, mute ir she corner or the parlor for many years, Aunt Nancy Smith dragged ou her harp. and, seating herself. reached out her knotted, trembling hands anC Drought forth what seemed the very echo, so faint and faltering it was, O. Douglas, Douglas. Tender and True
 
 There was long silence after she had finished, her head bowed on hel chest, her hands dropped to her sides Abraham spoke first, clearing hi! throat before he could make the word. come
 T wish l could git a husband fel every one of yer" said he
 And no one was angry, and no ont laughed; for they all knew that he was only seeking to express the mes sage conveyed by Nancy's playing the message of love. love triumphant which cannot age, which over tho years and over death itself alway. hath the victory.