Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-04-16
CHAPTER vl-Contlnusd.

1t 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 it was who dis
covered that Abe's contentment could
not be absolute without griddlecakes
for breakfast three hundred and sixty
I'VE times a 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
mines 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
ny down for his afternoon nap and
the house was dull and quiet without
his waking presence. the ladies would
gather in groups outside his door as II
n q king's antechamber, waiting for
him to awaken, saying to one another
ever and again. Ssh, sh!" He pro-
tossed 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
Il 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
10 the Old Ladies' home. Verify. YER
ny. as Blossy had avowed from the
nrst, they had been in sore need OF
the masculine presence. The ancient
coat and hat, which had hung in the
hall 90 long, had perhaps served iti
purpose In keeping the burglars away
but this iifeless substitute had moi
prevented the grabbed gnomes Of lone
hness and discomfort from stealing in
1pinster. wife and widow. they had
every one been warped by the testy
jest-so-ness of the old maid.
Now, instead of fretful discussions
q health and food, recriminations ant
wrangling. there came to be laughter
end good-humored chatter all the day
long. each sister striving with all hel
strength to preserve the new-fount
harmony Of the home. There vert
musical evenings. when Miss Abigail
opened the melodeon and played "Olt
Hundred" and Abraham was encour
aged to pick out with one stifY fore
finger my Grandfather's Clock
Hymn tunes" we're sung in chorus
and then. In answer to Abe's appea
for something livelier. there cam,
tme-tried ditties and old, old low
songs. And at last, one night, afte
leaving the instrument silent. mute ii
the corner or the parlor for man,
ysars. Aunt Nancy Smith dragged GU
her harp, and, seating herself, reache,
out her knotted. trembling hands an,
brought forth what seemed the yer,
echo, 90 faint and faltering It was. o
douglas, Douglas, Tender and True
There was . long silence after sh
had finished, her head bowed on he
chest. her hands dropped to her sides
Abraham spoke first, clearing hi
throat before he could make the word
come.
Il wish l could git husband fe
every one of YER" said he.
And M Ouo waa angry and M IN
laughed; for they all knew that h
was only seeking to express the me,
sage conveyed by Nancy's playing
the message Of love. love triumphan
which cannot age, which over tn
years and over death itself Away
hath the victory.
CHAPTER VII.