The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-08-30

of her head. Every hat she tried on
would bounce upward as though
springs were In the lining.
That afternoon they took in a
baseball game. Aunt Dinah's first
and last she hoped. "Jes running
their legs off for that foot ball
faint no sense In such. Chunkin
their arms off for nothing, when
they ought to be on the farm
working somewhere. brought
some quilt work along and could
be home sewing on II now.
The girls tidied the apartment IN
Friday. All day long their friends
came bringing gifts. eating and
asking Aunt Dinah questions about
the southland.
Some questions she answered
happily. some shyly. bht after each
she would have that lonesome far
away look in her eyes. How she
lonsed for the Carolina shack.
The next day everyone was pre-
pairing for the usual Saturday night
frolic, Saturday always spelled a
not time In Harlem.
There was always party In
In nearly every flat. Crowds would
jam the cabbarets. taxis we're as
busy as bees and for bit Of fun the
girls were fixing their dresses and
then hurled their hair.
Aunt Dinah looked on childishly
but soon she too was on the spot.
They laced her down. put first one
dress on and then another Until
they we're satisfied with the re-
suits. Much against her wishes
they whisked her away to one OF
the cabarets.
There she saw large floor show
and seemed TO enjoy the stunts and
a few Of the Jokes. However, as the
dancers whirled past. her own head
became dizzy. Occasionally she be-
came tempted TO talk with these
strangers. She wanted badly to be-
come friendly. But she Just didn't
know how TO mix with people at a
place OF this sort.
AS usual there was a fight. Not
such a large one and the dancing
kept on as though nothing was
happening. Aunt DInah saw 1t and
became nervous wreck.
The following day they made
ready for church. Despite the
girls pleas Aunt Dinah wore her
homemade white muslin dress and
big panama hat. II was a warm
day and she believed her selection
was just the thing for summer.
The brick church was large with
balcony and 1t was very full.
The three sat about middle In the
downstairs part.
A very stiff, dignifed sort of
preacher began his>sermon and as
he won't on illustrating the scrip
ture more in a lecture form, ev-
cry one was so still that a pin
could have been heard to fall upon
the floor. That was, all except Aunt
Dinah.
She didn't realize she was alone
in her Amen. Vas Praise the
Lord" etc.
To and fro she'd rock, as glisten-
ing tears OF gratitude coursed down
her leather cheeks; on she chantcd,
well, we'll. WE'LL" The nieces
stole sly embarrassing glaces to-
ward her praying to God Almighty
that she would hush.
But instead TO everyone's sur
prise when the minister had gotten
to the peak OF his sermon like
streak OF tightening she jumped
from her seat. bounced fearlessly
up aisle, grabbed his hand and
shook II furiously.
Shaking a fore finger In his
startled face she cried out. God
bless you. chile"
You sho is preaching my Lords
gospel"
There were whispers and snick-
ers. the minister was more than
embarrassed so he began TO sing
a spiritual song in which the con-
gregation joined.
The singing went TO Aunt Dinah's
feet like swing music would do
tap dancers. She would stop a
minute then grab an unsuspecting
persons hand and humble. Keep
the faith ChIlluns. Keep the faith"
then trotting on TO another person,
''yas sub. brother. love my Jesus.
Amt ashamed TO own my Jesus
anywhere l 60"
Sometimes she would stay In one
place. fold her arms and twist her
shoulders with habitual sureness.
Lord nv mercy! Lord ave mercy
she groaned.
The smokers became giggles and
unchecked laughter. But what did
Aunt Dinah care; for even the
crackle OF the stiffly starched mus
lin dress she wore seemed to pro-
claim loudly, God you're so good
10 me. You gives me my clothes.
you gives me my food. Vas ! love
my Lord Jesus. He gives me ev-
erything I got. I'm so glad / got a
God like that. Amt you glad sis
ter" Suddenly she would push an
already bewildered lady backward
In her seat.
She wasn't in the least aware
that people we're making fun OF
her. She only knew that her feet
didn't want TO behave.
The minister read another verse
Of the song. II added nightly to
Aunt Dinah's already ignited emo
tions. II was like oil poured on a
fre and she rocked and shouted.
GLORY, Glory fell the hre
burning in my soul. feel In my
hands and they feels like new.
Whae," she beamed, waving her