Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-01-16

aunts bedroom and Uncle Hiram and
Uncle Jabez were pulling sticks in
corner while the other men sat tipped
against the wall watching and making
playful comments-all save my Uncle
Peabody who was trying to touch his
head to the floor and then straighten
up with the aid of the broomstiek.
In the midst of it Aunt Deel opened
the front door and old Kate, the Silent
Woman, entered. To my surprise. she
wore a decent-looking dress of gray
homespun cloth and a white cloud
Iooped over her head and ears and tied
around her neck and good pair OF
boots.
"Nerry Chris'masl" We all shouted.
She smiled and nodded her head and
sat down in the chair which Uncle Pea
body had placed for her at the stove
side. Aunt Deel took the cloud off
her head while Kate drew her mittens
newly knitted of the best yarn. Then
my aunt brought some stockings and a
shawl from the tree and laid them on
the lap of old Kate. What silence
fell upon us as we saw tears coursing
down the cheeks of this lonely old
woman of the countryside-tears Of
Joy. doubtless, for God knows how long
1t had been since the poor, abandoned
soul had seen a merry Christmas and
shared Its kindness. / did not fail to
observe how clean her face and hands
looked She was greatly changed.
She took my hand as went to her
side and tenderly caressed it. A gen.
tier smile came to her face than ever
I had seen upon it. The old stern look
returned for moment as she held one
finger aloft In gesture which only I
and my Aunt Deel understood. We
knew it signalized peril and mys-
terry. That l should have to meet 1t,
somewhere up the hidden pathway,
had no doubt whatever.
DINNERS ready" exclaimed the
cheerful voice of Aunt Deel.
Then what stirring of chairs and
feet as we sat down at the table. Old
Kate sat by the side of my aunt and
we were all surprised at her good man
ners.
We tested and laughed and drank
cider and reviewed the years history
and ate as only they may eat who have
big bones and muscles and the vitality
Of oxen. l never taste the flavor Of
sage and currant jelly or hear hearty
laugh without thinking of those holi-
Gay dinners In the old Log house on
Rattleroad.
That Christmas brought me nothing
better than those words, the memory
of which is one of the tallest towers in
that long avenue OF my past down
which l have been looking these many
days. About all you can do for boy,
worth while, Is to give him something
good to remember.
The day had turned dark. The tenn
pcrature had risen and the air was
dank and chilly. The men began to
hitch up their horses.
So, one by one, the sleighloads left
US with CHEEKY good-bys and a grind
Ing or runners and jingling Of bells.
When the last had gone Uncle Pea
body and went into the house. Aunt
Deel sat by the stove, old Kate by the
window looking out at the falling dusk.
How still the house seemed!
"There's one thing forgot" said
as proudly took out Of my wallet the
six one-dollar bills which l had earned
by working Saturdays and handed
three of them to my aunt and three to
my uncle, saying:
"That is my Christmas present to
you. l earned it myself
/ remember so well their astonish-
ment and the trembling of their hands
and the look of their faces.
''It's grand-ayes! Aunt Deel said
In low tone.
She rose in a moment and beckoned
to me and my uncle. We followed her
through the open door to the other
room.
"Fll tell ye what I'd do" she whis-
pered. I'D give 'em to OF Kate
ayes! She's goin' to stay with us till
tomorrow"
"Good idee" said Uncle Peabody.
So l took the money out Of their
hands and went in and gave it to the,
Silent Woman.
'That's your present from me-" I
said.
How can forget how she held my
arm against her with that loving, fa-
miliar, rocking motion of woman
who is soothing baby at her breast
and kissed my coat sleeve? She re-
leased my arm and, turning to the win
dow, leaned her head upon its sill and
shook with sobs. The dusk had thick
ened. AS returned to my seat by the
stove l could dimly see her form
against the light of the window. We
sat in silence for a little while.
Then Uncle Peabody rose and got
candle and lighted it at the hearth.
] held the lantern while Uncle Pea
body fed the sheep and the two cows
and milked-a slight chore these win
Tel days.
"You and are to go off to bed purity
early" he said as we were going back