Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER Vl-contlnued.

IL plagued the others, however, to
4sse 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
suot be absolute without griddlecakes
tor breakfast three hundred and sixty
ave times year; she it was who first
BAKED him little saucer cakes and pies
because he was partial to edges; and
Bfossy it was who made out a list of
~-Don'ts" for the sisters to follow in
Eheir treatment Of this grown-up
Soung-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.
ALI 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
chat ne should git split" When he
lay down for his afternoon nap and
che house was dull and quiet without
mis- waking presence, the ladies would
gather In groups outside his door as II
IN n kings antechamber, waiting for
nim to awaken. saying to one another
ever and again, Ssh, sh!" He pro-
tassed to scott at the attentions he
received. would grunt and growl
~Humbug!" yet nevertheless he
fhriEed In this latter-day sunlight. His
cid hCues took on flesh. His aged
Kindly face, all scanned with care as
u had been, filled out, the wrinkles
turning into wrinkles. Abraham had
grown young again. With the return
e5f his youth came the spirit of youth
DO the Old Ladies' home. Verify, YER
tl0, as Blossy had avowed from the
Grst. they had been in sore need of
Che masculine presence. The ancient
coat and hat, which had hung in the
Aall so long, had perhaps served its
purpose in keeping the burglars away,
1uf this lifeless substitute had not
prevented the Grabbed gnomes of lone
Hness and discomfort from stealing in.
Spinster, wife and widow, they had
every one been warped by the testy
3est-so-ness of the old maid.
Now, instead of fretful discussions
0f health and food recriminations and
wrangling, there came to be laughter
and good-humored chatter all the day
EonS, each sister striving with all her
strength to preserve the new-found
harmony of the home There were
nsusical evenings, when Miss Abigail
opened the melodeon and played "Old
Hundred" and Abraham was encour-
aged TO pick out with one stiff fore
engeK My Grandfathers Clock"
Hymn tunes" were sung in chorus;
@nd then, in answer to Abe's appeal
aor something livelier, there came
Atmetried ditties and old, old love
songs AEd at last, one night, after
bsAving the instrument silent, mute in
enc corner or the parlor for many
yea IS, Aunt Nancy Smith dragged out
her harp, and, seating herself, reached
out her knotted, trembling hands and
brought forth what seemed the very
echo, so faint and faltering 1t was, of
douglas, Douglas, Tender and True"
There was o long silence after she
2aad finished, her head bowed on her
chest, her hands dropped to her sides.
Abraham spoke first, clearing his
Ghroat before he could make the words
come
FL wish could git a husband fer
every one Of Fer," said he.
And no one was angry, and no one
EaDghed; 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 the
years and over death itself always
hath the victory
f,HADTER VII