Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-04-23

Miss A0A8AAIU generously prOpOruOn00
head. The pink ears turned crimson,
likewise the adjoining cheeks, and
Miss Abigail painted with righteous in
dignation.
1T all comes of this plagued old
winter time" she declared, sharply
biting her thread, for she was mend
ing tablecloth. "Shet the winders on
summer. an yew ketch the tail Of
SANDER in the latch every time. Naow,
eff l hear one word about this 'tarnal
foolishness comm to Angy's ears, or
Brother Abe's, or Blossy's either, fer
oil-cloth Sundays the same as week
days, until | see more Christian
sperit in the house"
She gave the Sunday damask across
her lap pat which showed she was
in earnest; and the rebuked sisters
glanced at one another, as If to say:
Suppose the minister should walk
in some Sabbath afternoon and find
oil-cloth on the table, and ask the rea-
son why?"
They one and all determined to take
Aunt Nancy's advice and sew but
ton on their lips"
Fortunately, too, the February thaws
had already set in, and the remainder
of the winter passed without any Sc
we're strain on the "buttonholes." And
at length the welcome spring began to
peep FORTH calling to the old folks.
Come out. and grow young with the
young year,"
With the bursting forth Of the new
springtide the winters talk seemed to
drop as withered and dead oak leaf
falls from it's winter-bound branches;
and Abe stood once more alive to the
blessings of renewed approval.
Angy went out of doors with Miss
Abigail. and puttered around among
the flowers as If they were her own,
thanking God for Abe's increasing pop
ularity In the same breath that she
gave thanks for the new buds of the
spring.
The anniversary of the Roses en-
Blossy suggested that the best way
to celebrate the event would be by
means of pink tea"
Neither Angy nor Abe, nor In fact
half the sisters, had any clear concep-
ton of what tinted function might
be; but they one and all seized upon
Blossy's idea as If it were a veritable
inspiration, and for the time jealousies
were forgotten, Misunderstanding
erased.
Such preparations as were made for
that tea! The deaf-and-dumb gar
dener was sent with a detachment Of
small boys to fetch from the wayside
and meadows armfuls of wild roses
for the decorations. Miss Abigail
made pink icing for the cake. Ruby
Lee hung bleeding-hearts over the
dining-room door. Aunt Nancy resur-
rected from the bottom Of her trunk q
white lace cap with a rakish- looking
pink bow for an adornnent, and fas-
tened 1t to her scant gray hairs in
honor Of the occasion. Blossy turned
her pink china pig, his lid left upstairs,
into a sugar bowl.
Pink, pink, pink, everywhere; even
in Angy's proud cheeks! Pink, and
pink. and pink! Abe used to grow
disxy, afterward, trying to recall the
various pink articles which graced
that tea.
But most delightful surprise Of all
was his anniversary gift. which was
slyly slipped to his place after the dis
<.% A1.A ~tu kAw
gelatin. 1t was square, ive-pOund
parcel wrapped in pink tissue paper.
tied with pink string, and found to con-
tain 20 much Virginia tobacco. which
Blossy had inveigled an old southern
admirer into sending her for Chart
able purposes"
After the presentation of this valu-
able gift. Abraham felt that the time
had come for him to make q speech
practically his maiden speech.
He said at the beginning. more
suavely at his ease than no would
have believed possible, secure Of SYM
pathy and appreciation. with Angy's
glowing old eyes upon her prodigy.
that all the while he had been at the
Home. he had never before felt the
power to express his gratitude for the
welcome which had been accorded
him-the welcome which seemed to
wear and wear, as II 1t were all wool
and yard wide. and could never wear
out.
The old ladies nodded their heads In
approval Of this, every face beaming;
but as the speech went on the others
perceived that Abe had singled out
Blosey for special mention-blind.
blind Abraham-Blossy. who had first
proposed admitting him into this para
disc Blossy. who had given up her
sunny south chamber to his comfort
and Angy's; Blossy. who had been az
"guardeen angel" to him; Blossy.
who as fitting climax to all her sis-
terly attentions had given him today
this wonderful, wonderful pink tea.
and this FIVE hull pound O. virginny
terbaccer."