Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-07-20

YES, Aunt Abby
"Who's Gomez"
Jim'S face grew white, then red.
"C-COme?" he Stammered.
Eyes, | heard a sleigh and voices.
Who Is it?"
"Why, jest--jest a man on-on bust
ness"
All day it showed and all that night
nor did the dawn Of Friday bring clear
skies.
The sick woman was better.
At noon the sun came out, and the
wind died into fitful gusts. The two
men attacked the drifts with a will,
and made a path to the gate. They
even attempted to break out the road,
and Herrick harnessed his horse and
started for home; but he had not gone
10 rods before he was forced to turn
back.
"'Tain't no use" he grumbled. 81
calclate I'm booked here till the crack
O. DOOM
"An term0rrers the fun'ral,"
grOaned Jim. AN | can't cit nowhere
nowhere ter tell 'em not to come"
Saturday dawned fair and cold.
Early In the morning the Casket was
moved from the parIOr to the attic
1t was almost two o'clock when loud
voices and the crunch Of heavy teams
told that the rOad-breakers had come.
Il set ter work first thing on this
road,' said the man. triumphantly to
Ella as he stood, shovel in hand, at
the door "The parsons right behind
an there's a lot more behind him,
CORY l was afraid | wouldn't git
here in time, but the fun'ral want till
two, was it,"
"There's mistake" Ella said family
There amt no fun'ral Aunt Abbys
better
The man stared, then he whistled
softly.
Mrs. Darling heard the bells of the
, first arrival.
! II guess mebbe I'll git up an set up
/ spell" she announced calmly to Ella.
That's Parson Gerry's voice, an I
. want ter Sc him."
But Aunt Abby" began Ella
! fevershly.
"Well, | declare! If there amt an
other sleigh drivin' in" cried the old
woman eXcitedly, sitting up in bed and
peering through the little window.
Must be they're glvin' us a sprise
party, Now, hurry, Ella, an git them
slippers. | amt a-gOin' to lose none
O. the fun"
In state, in the big rockingham, the
old woman received her guests.
One by one the days passed. and Jim
and Ella ceased to tremble every time
the old woman opened her lips There
was still that fearsome thing in the
attic.
'If she should find out" Ella had
said "'twOuld be the end Of the money
fer us"
"But she amt a-goin' ter find out"
Jim had retorted.
The funeral" was a week old when
Mrs Darling came into the sitting
room one day, fully dressed.
81 put on all my clos" she said
smillngly, in answer to Elias shocked
exclamation. II got restless, somehow,
| an sick o wrappers. Besides, | want
to walk around the house little"
! And she limped across the floor to the
! hall door.
"But, Aunt Abby, where We gOin'
now" faltered Ella.
Jest up in the attic. I wanted ter
see" She stopped in apparent sur
! prise.
Ella and Jim had sprung to their
feet.
but you mustn't you amt strong
enough you'll fall there's nothin'
there" they exclaimed wildly, talking
both together and hurrylng forward
"Oh, | guess 'twOnt kill me-" said
the old woman, and the hall door
closed sharply behind her.
TITS all-upw breathed Jim.
Fully fifteen minutes passed before
the old woman came back.
TITS real pretty" she said. 81 alters
did like gray"
"Grayy Stammered Ella.
Yes fer collins, We know" Jim
made sudden movement, and started
to speak; but the old woman raised
her hand. you don't need ter say
anythin'," she interpOsed cheercully.
Il Jest wanted ter make sure where
twas, so | went up. You see, Jed's
comm home, an | thought he might
feel--queer If he run onto It, casual.
like"
'Jed-COmln' homew
The old woman smiled oddly.
"Oh | didn't tell We. did |? The
doctor had this telegram Yesterday,
an brought 1t over to me. We know
he was here last night Read It," And
she pulled from her pocket crumpcd
slip OF paper. And jim read.
"Shall be there the Sth. For Gods
| CrgIy do. -