The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-22
The EUening Story
PolIy's Colonial Tea.
CBy lola Forrester. }

- Eusebia had lived in the little
gambrel-roof house at the foot of the
hill ever since she was born. There
had been a few migrations, to be sure.
down to the shore in the summertime
during her girlhood and up to Boston
for the fall shopping, but that was
all. Summer and winter, for forty
eight years, she had dwelt there, the
seventh generation of the Gibbons
family to occupy it.
Gabriel always stopped when he
drove by on the way to town to call
out a CHEEKY salute to the face at the
sittingroom window. He had gone to
school to Miss Gibbons. and really had
an affection for the odd little old
maid. And he knew, as everybody
knew. in Hale Corners, what Iowa
BILE, steadfast little person she was in
spite of all her peculiarities
You. know, Gabe," she would say,
with a certain tilt of her head, Il am
the last of the Gibbonses. When I've
passed there won't be anybody to re-
member anything about them or the
old house at all. And it is the oldest
house in the village, and very, very
historic, Gabe. Washington marched
right down that hill yonder with his
men, weary and worn, on his way to
Hartford, and the, only place where he
could find rest and food was here.
I've got the very candles they used
the plate he ate from. moss-rose
plate. I'll show it to you some time.
Gabe, if 1 unpack my Washington
chest. Land, 1 do wish 1 had some
body that loved all those things the
way 1 do, and set store by them
somebody that belonged to me-.
Gabriel remembered the plaintive
note of loneliness the day he carried
the load of hard wood over to the
schoolhouse. The teacher stepped
81, T.; l, oh Cd
put, and she asked him if he knew
a nice, pleasant place to board. She
was living down near the station, and
didn't like it.
Gabriel told her he'd speak to Miss
Gibbons She couldn't have been a
day over eighteen, with her big brown
eyes and wavy brown hair and the
deepest dimples. Somebody told him
she came from Vermont, and it was
her first year teaching, that she must
have piles of pluck or she never could
hold her place and manage the big
boys. But Gabe smiled now, remem-
bering the blushing Difference of those
same boys as she had ordered them to
unload and pile the wood. Surely
the dimpleS ruled.
"She don't seem to have much sta
billy" said Miss Gibbons gently, after
she had boarded Polly a week. Real
nice girl, though, slightly and compan-
ionabIe, and neat as pin. L heard
down at the Mite Society some folks
thought she acted sort of light minded
for teacher, and 1 spoke up and said
if they'd wanted any one settled they
shouldn't have chosen one eighteen.
''She just seems to brighten up the
whole place. I'm even thinking soma
of having little party for her Wash
ington's birthday. 1t comes on a
Monday. We could have ours be-
tween three and six. real fashionable.
I don't know whether schools going
to keep in or not. but I don't suppose
1t will. I'll set out all my colonial
things, ask each one who comes to
bring along something they've got
tucked away. too. You can come,
can't you. Gabe?"
Gabe was sure he could. In fact.
he'd make a point of it. But when he
paid his usual call Sunday, Polly
seemed out of humor.
''Oh. it isn't anything. Gabe," she
said shortly. It's just everything all
at once. think I'll give up the school
and go back home. I heard Mrs.
Dwggins says Friday they would ask
for my resignation if 1 didn't"
The tears gathered on her long
lashes rebelliouSly.
drives over and stays too long in my
district Well, he does. too. He's an
old goose. Then they say 1 waved my
hand to the mail carrier" She smiled
deliciously. II believe 1 did, too. He
had a letter for me from mother that
ged him. Isn't anybody human out
here at all ?"
The twilight had fallen Miss Glib
bons was busy getting tea out in the
kitchen, and Gabe some way managed
to unburden his mind to a large ex-
tent in those few minutes. But the
next day. even Eusebia sensed some