The Palatka news and advertiser., 1915-07-09

of massive build with a magnificent
sweep Of countenance, and kindly
humor in her fine gray eyes. She
was Of the strong minded order A
generation later and she might have
led in the cause of equal suffrage. Or
she could have mothered a miniature
continent of lusty Americans if only
the pity of it!-childdren had not
been denied her. She mothered Pol
ly's sons instead however, a rolick-
ing set of good-natured boys who
hunted, fished and farmed successful
ly.
Aunt Susan Miles was the family
friend, a sweet, old-fashioned mother
of gentle temperament so placid in
deed that nothing disturbed or of
Tended her.
They were gowned alike-tho9e old
time ladies-and in the style of their
day-the straight, full-fowing skirt
and plain blouse, with a cape or a
fringed shawl for the shoulder. The
apron was in evidence, also lol..r and
full-gathered. The silk "head-hank-
erchief," worn in place of the more
exclusive cap, was tied under the chin.
This attire was soothing to neuralgia,
though the sun-bonnet was the fa-
vorite heGdgear when abroad" \
hat was unthought of, but a "stare,"
or "hne" bonnet, made of straw and
ribbons, was worn on big occasions at
church. 81 deprise the things" said
Aunt Sally. 81 mostly wear my best
| flutted sunbonnet to Sunday meet
| |m's.'
1t must not be overlooked that ye
survivors Of another day carried each
a reticule or light sacheI, contain
ing the carefully folded korchief and
specs s'-also the pipe with its home
made twist, Incidentally it may be
observed in their behalf that tobac-
co preserved the teeth and served
those who knew not a dentist as a
panacea for pain. 1t also delivered
from catarrh and other ills. The
smoke "comforted a body" somehow
so these dear old ladies used their
pipes, and Lavinia looked on and APP
proved.
Aunt Sally leaned comfortably in
her split-bottomed hickory rocker
She sat a little apart from the rest
being "hard O. hearin'," and spent he,
remarks, kindly or humorous, in and
out Of place and time.
"Now, Polly, put down yo' knittiN,
she began cheerfully. "Sad'day
might is blind mans holiday"
IF you had children you'd have tC
knit, too" answered Polly, unmoved
This was a thrust which Sister Sal.
Iy good-naturedly ignored, She look,
ed about her, smiling, her fund OF
humor unquenched in her kindly
glance. Seems to me, Polly" she
continued, "yo' crops amt doin' well
My corn is nearly knee-high."
"Ever'body knows,' replied Polly
without looking up, that spring
comes nigh four weeks earlier up youl
way. You'll be burnin' up about corr
tasselin' time"
It's James farm that burns" oh,
served Sister Sally. "She lives il
.Glendower."
"Gle1dower's a pretty good place
to live in, amt it, Lavinia?" asked
Aunt Jane, with spirit.
q find it so, indeed answered La
vinia, smiling.
Aunt Sally turned her fine massive
face toward the speaker. How long
the frank gaze fingered Lavinii
could not determine. She felt herself
under inspiration from a curious anc
close observer, who leaned forward a
last and pulled James purple sleeve
Jane, what gal did you say thi:
was ,"
"Luvenia," replied Aunt Jane, will
pride. "Luvenia Hardin'-Dr. Har
din'S daughter, don't you know"
"You don't sayw
Aunt Sally leaned back again il
her rocker. Another long silence
with her eyes on Lavinia's face il
meditative fashion. She was begin
ming to feel the strain of this pro
longed scrutiny when the strong voic
broke the silence, and the fine old fac
went wrinkling into tender smiles.
"ChiId, | knew your grandfather
Your mothers father A finer MAJ
I never lived
Was he ANYTHING to her? LAWNS
! 1onged to ask, warming up to he
new acquaintance. She venture
timidly to remind her Of an old Glen
dover romance in which her nam
/ was connected. 1t was the Glendowe
mehriate who sang her praises an
, .nnfused the name Of his sweetheart
! Sally, with Calhoun, Clay and Web
ster
: "La, child" said Aunt Sally, dispelI
, ing the illusion without ado. "he wan
, no sweetheart O. mine. never coul
~ a-bear him."
And yet in the long ago she va
, The drunkard's inspiration-or de
feat:
1 And still Lavinia listened in tn
u. fre-ight glow, while the four oil
y women discussed the rules and regU
lations of home, domestic duties @
cooking, milking, churning, butter
, making. Of sewing, weaving, spinning
= .dyeing. gardening, soap-making an
:. .child-rearing. They had never drear
, ed of an encyclopedia of home indus
= tries. yet the editor of home maya
/ zine might have fingered to liste'
~ A philosopher could have learned. ar
< the pedagog might have sat at thei