The Huron Signal, 1881-08-26, Page 21
w tie
been
the
open
herr
intet
•
S.
THE APPLE BEE.
"Did I ever tell you about Rastas
marrying Judge RandoIpli's daughter 1"
aaked grandmother, as I menehed an ap-
ple and she eat hailing in her high -bask-
ed rocker.
"Why, no," said I, fancying I sae a
story in her retrcepectivepse, "you have
told me about Thankful, and your moth-
er, and your own courtship, grandmoth-
er, but of Rastuie never."
"Well, I'll tell you about it. Seeing
you eating that apple reminded me of it,
and, besides to -day is the sixteenth of
Novembat; Rastus' birthday came on the
seventeenth, and I remember it was the
day before, and almost exactly such a
day as this seventy years ago, that I was
visiting them while Alex. 'tended General
Court. Raatua was showing me his free-
dom suit, he'd be 21 next day, when
mother came down from the garret with
a tray of apples, looking vexed enough.
"Apples keeping well ?" I aaked.
"No, they must have got a little teech-
ed by the frost before they were gather-
ed. There's one whole ben beginning to
rot already, and I haven't no timeto pare
'em, Mehitable being sick."
Mehitable was on old maid that helped
mother about the house.
"Why don't you have a bee r I asked,
for to tell the, truth I wanted to see th •
young folki, my old mates, you know,
and show them my baby, for I thought
he was the prettiest and smartest child
ever waa. That was your uncle William,
dear. Besides, Squire Doolittle's niece,
Mistress Randolph was a visiting them
from Virginny while her father was in
England, and I thought may -be she
would come. I'd heard • great deal
about her, but I hadn't seen her, though
she had been visiting at the aquire's then
for, six months or so; so I says, have a
bee.
now, I never thought of that. I'm glad,
Rush, you spoke of it.' What do you
say, Heaths ? They are rotting dread -
"Let 'em rot," said he, throwing down
an armful of wood with a crash. He left
the room after it, when I first spoke of
the bee, and now he straightened up and
looked so fierce at mother that I ipoke
up quick as could be:
"I should think, you woulj be asham-
ed to speak so to mother. -
"Mother don't mind what Restos
says,", said he, going up to her and pat-
ting her shoulder, and he sMiled at her
in such a tender way that I wondered,
as I always did, he was so changeable;
quick, but loving, nobody minded what
Rastus said, that's true, but everybody
liked him; mother set more by him than
all the rest of us children,so we thought,
but lie said she never knew no difference,
only he was baby.
"Let's have the bee. Fin 21 to -mor-
row, so if we have it then we will call it
a biithday party. I'll kill a goose and
the white turkey that's been shut up so
long, and we'll have a real frolic. Shall
I invite Miss Randolph, mother !"
"Why, of course, it 'wouldn't do ti
slight the squire 8 folk. -
"That's m,. She'd feel hurt,no doubt, 1
not to have a chance to soil her pretty
hands paring apples,: and he went off
whistling, but he 'didn't look so happy
as he tried to seem. I could see that he I
didn't more than half want the party.
"What does he mean, ther !Is Mis- I
tress Randolph very ['mud !"
as it used to in the old days so long ago.
"Why,- says mother, in a doleful
The old room isn't in use now. Where
we are sitting now used to be the
squire's a spell ay.. and she was very
helpful and cheery. She didn't seem keeping room. It warn't near so pleas -
proud to me, but she ain t like Mandy ant as the long kitchen, and we seltin
Smith. used it. I remember exactly how
mother's samplers looked hung over the
"I should hope n..t e mother. -
mantle -tree piece. A pair of law
candlesticks stood at each end and silver
one in the middle, all with wax candles
in thein, but they were never lit, and
there was a tray with snuffers of bronze,
but they were never used either. For
we thought everything must be kept just
while I was a ehowing him off, mother so, and it's no wonder we didn't feel
spoke of the apple bee, and she mention- comfortable there. I used, when a child
ed that she calculated to invite as far as
Squire Doolittle's.
"The land sake, you don't mean.
Waal, now. I never did !" Rays she.
"Whaf.s there so dreadful about hav-
ing an apple paring," said 1, "that are
common enough. -
"Oh. tain't that; 'twas inviting that
Randolph girl, with her silk gounds and
white hands, and her neck just so," and
she twisted her head back in a way that
made me laugh.
"Mother says mhe's as pretty behaved
am need be," said 1, and as to her hands
and neck, she can't well leave them at
home, but she can her silk goirn and I
hope she will, I'm sure.
"Rastus wants her to come, don't her
she asked in her sly way, that I knew
meant something; " 'cordin' amounts,
she don't show none of her pride to him,
or he wouldn't go to see her so much."
"Does he go to see her much r
"Lor', you don't mean to say hain't
heard 1 Why, they do soy he's 'skin'
On bee"
"Almirs," sp.ke up mother. "won't
THE HURON SIGNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1881.
row," but mother didn't te11 her about
broadcloth mit liought in Falmouth.
I took right( hold with mother after
Abair& left, and we got along amasilig
spry; mother mut always a master head
at cooking. I cut up the pinopkins that
afternoon aad stewed them, and mother
het the brick oven. Stoves ! Why,
there wan't no stoves then; roasting and
baking Wa4 done in the brick oven that
was first bet by making in it a reusing
fire; then the fire was taken out and the
baking pet in—further in, you know, go
the things that must take the longest.
We had • lung &hovel to pull 'ein out
with. Yes, and the stewing and boiling
was done in pota that hung on the crane
in front of the fire -place; biscuits and
Johnny cakes we baked in a tin baker
before the blaze on the hearth. How
was it made 1 Lor', don't know
as I can tell you so you'll understand.
It was hoisted up on legs with a slanting
roof, but open on the side next the tire.
The pan was set in it, and the tin kinder
drew the heat. Wnen the side nearest
the heat is baked, the pan was turned
"Well, well, where was I ! If youaak
me to explain so much, I shan't never
get to my story's end. Heating the
brick oven ! Oh, yes. Mother baked
beans and brown bread and riz bread,
and mince and apple pies in the even-
ing. Then the next day we were up
bright and early and got on the corned
beef and het the brick oven again for the
goose and turkey, the pumpkin pies,
gingerbread and seed cakes and election
cake. Mother had on hand pickles and
preserves and pickled tripe and onions,
so we thought we would have enough, as
we calculated on ,pasaing round apples
and butternuta early in the evening.
"You always laugh, dear, when I tell
about the cooking. Folks didn't eat
more than they do now, but you see
people got in the way of cooking a great
deal, and of course mother wouldn't be
outdone. Father was a good provider,
and never stinted hor in victuals."
"The long kitchen was cleared out for
the paring, and by and by the dancing.
The long settee and canebottomed
chairs were ranged on the side fronting
the fire -place; and the round chair table
was turned back and set by it for Parson
Stillwater when he came. It made a
curious looking chair, as you can guess,
but it was the twat of honor. The top
of the table made the outer part of the'
"And if I do say it no dresser in town
held brighter silver than mother's nor
handsomer china. Her mother brought
it from Ensrland. As for the pewter
cups, what with the scouring you
couldn't tell them from silver."
"The kitchen was low, and ceiled
with big rafters. flooks that were drove
into them held long iioles, where pump-
kins was strung to -day and to-morrew
there would be apples. Wooden candle-
sticks, two or three in a bunch, were
nailed to the wall, but the best light of
all was made by the big roaring fire on
the htarth. Father's and Rastus' guns
were slung overhead, and under them
hung the crooked necked squashes. The
great stone hearth, eight feet long,
stretched before it, where lay our old
yellow cat and Rastu8' dog, whenever
they got the chance. It was pretty often
too, for when the tire was the hottest,
we had to go back to the wall. Oh, how
well I remember that tire ! It would do
my old eyes good to see it burning again
"Nor yet ,like you. iferusha, nor
she has.-
-Alinirn Bean 1.• le up just then on
her old white horse. She hitched and
came in to see the awl' toy baby, and
to pity Parson Stillwater because he had
always to sit in the keeping room 'when
he went to see his people.
"At early candle lighting everything
was ready, and I went out for & moment
to stand on the back porch. I remember
exactly how it looked out doors. There
was a little sprinkling of snow on the
ground, and the hills were quite white.
The trees were all bare and frozen, and
rattled together dolefully in the wind,
while up from the little brook came the
sound of the cold, muffled waters, so I
knew 'twas freezing over. The young
cattle were huddler] under the shed,
and the cosiest lamb was bleating to
get into the barn. I ran out and let her
"Wonder how I remember so well 7
Wait till you are old, dear, and you will
know how we spend our age in remem-
bering scene. that are pictured on our
minds. Their faces are turned to the
wall in middle age, but when we get old.
and are not good for much else, we grope
around and bring them to light, and rub
and polish them till we can see every
line distinct."
7" /mit iit.P this way and soe this Piece '•1 seem to remember that night par-
ed! ekth 1 timk it out (4 the loom to-
day. I calculate there's enough for two
fall suits."
ticularly, for I was so happy and peace-
ful like. Baby went to sleep like a lamb
and for CMOS didn't have anything the
"Yee hell be tweesty-one to -mor- manor with hoc
•
•
"Alex. that was my host:mad your "The equire's wife was right behind
grandfather, dear, wrote nie by stsge her, but she didn't know it. You ought
that he would be /tome from Conant] to have seen how Mandy jumped when
Coact to spend Thankagiving at father's she spoke up.
so my mind was at ease, and I was just "Linsey-wixdsey and eildoesn't 'nue
Deeming to feel cold, and an thought I the difference, Mandy, be wean a lady
ought to go in, when Rutin Mal* out and one that ain't. Portia wanted to
and pot my pelisse over 'as " wear one like mine, but we hadn't time
"Cold, Rusha r. be asked. to make one, and I told her it made no
"I know he wonted to talk about difference what she wore, since she
something, and I spicioned it was about wasn't vein of her apparel."
Mistress Randolph, au I said:" 'So Portia Randolph wanted to wear
"What is it Boletus Du you wantro linsey-woolsey, and Rastua wanted to
tell me anything about the aqui wear fine broadcloth. I thought from
niece 1 You ought to have heard Almira that they might sometime 5onie together,
NNW run on." leastwise I hoped so.
"The old meddler ! How dare she "When Rastus came around, I noticed
speak of Portia Randelph at all ! she always blushed a little, but didn't
“vtliY, is *he too good to he sPoben seem to see hini, and he kept out of her
of r I asked, laughiog a little. way mostly. 'When she first came he
"She's an angel; be said, and he just made her a handsome bow and said:
looked so sad that I said to myself, "Good evening to you, Illistress Ran -
'Poor Restos,' for maned to em dtdph," but after a while he fetched her
A Wortlall is an angel only to the man mother's silver dish, and gave her his
tfiat loves her, and his look showed that Dam pocket knife to pare with, but he
he thought she didn't love him. didn't laugh and joke with her as he did
"Tell &later Realm,' I said. ! with the others.
"There ain't much to tell, Realm. ; -How frolicksome they were ! When
She is rich and handavme, and high born ; a paring came off whole without break -
and proud, and I am no match for her." ing they would toss it over their shoul-
"I don't see that," maid I proudly. you dere, and when it fell it a'most always
are well -horn and hands°10*, with Pride I be mad* to stand for their sweetheart's
enough, I hope, and as to money, you'll name. It made a good deed of sport.
have the farm sometime, and for the "1 sat by Mistress Randolph, and I
present you've got youth and strength- ' could see how she blundered at her work.
A true woman weds a man for what he It was new to her, you see, but she tried
is, not for what he ha• to do...well, and was just beginning to be
"Thank you, Rusha,- said he, and his more handy, when all at once she started
faoe looked brighter. Th6r6.8 Philander and screamed a little, and I saw her put
Smith a -coming, and Mandy. I know hY • an apple into her pocket. Her hand
the way the horses wheezed up the hill , trembled so that her knife slipped and
Here they are. How dy'e do, Maud,. went into her finger, making a large cut
your cheeks are as red as a pippin. I've that bled dreadful.
half a mind— then I won't," as I "Rastus jumped, and they all did,
he helped her from her seat behind Phil. when they heard her scream out, and
ander on the old gray horse. when they saw the cut,they thought that
"What a Mall you be,- said Mandy, I was the reason, but I knew better. I
giggling at Rastul nonsense_ knew she cut her finger afterwards, and
"In a little while the room was full II wondered greatly about that apple and
a'most. Great baskets ,(f apples stood I if it had anything to do about it.
down in the middle, syhere each filled a "She said it was a small hurt and of
tray. Moat every one had fetched a no consequence, but she wouldn't pare
sharp knife and they fell to work right , any more; for at best she *as clumsy,
away, so as to get through and go to so if they would tell her something that
dancing. Sometimes a spark 'aria his I she could do, she would try to do better.
girl would pare from the same tray. and I "It's little she can do, I'm thinking,'
there was a good deal of whispering. It said Mandy 'Smith, and she spoke loud
made a pretty sight anyway, so ' enough for -anyone to hear almost.
bright eyes and ribbons. and brass
"The squire said he had fetched the
buttons, and one that you don't see now
harp unbeknown, and now if Rtistus
"Mother and father were in the keep- would go out to the conveyance and
and Restos was everywhere, joking
ing room with some of the old
l'e°P.le' I she could with her cut finger. • MY MOTTO Is,
bring it in, maybe Portia would play if ' •
"Fair Dealing and Moderate Prices.
•
laughing with the girls. You ,uld arseed j !sh:nSheede saedidut,hauset ivasn't a finger that
he was a favorite, and I didn't wonder j and they all said that
it would be a rare treat. So Rastus alsoisold. See m'y StOek 'and get my prices.
for he was handsome, tall and straight,
and a way of saying just the right thing fetched in her harp and threw the blue ear Goods delivered to any part of the
always. ribbon over her neck and she began.
"Mistress Randolph hadn't con.e, but
I hoped she would, for I wanted her to
see him in his new milt. It was blue
broadcloth with brass butttns, cut high
in the neck and tight in the sleeves, with
a starched cravat and handsome frills
edged with real lace at the bosom and
wrists. He had silver buckles to his
shoes, and, indeed, as I y••u, Le ,was
as tine as need be.
"Philander Smith had on a new suit
too, but it didn't have the risy r.er thSt
Raistus' had, and as for his collar. was
so stiff that he couldn't turn kis head
without drawing it down (..r. up. I pitieJ
him before the evening was over, his
ears got so red, whet with the sawini of
his dickey across them.
"At last we heard the Squire driving
up over the frozen ground in his new
leathern convenience. It was the only
one in town, m, twas easy telling him.
People mostly rode the ..1.1 way (.is horse-
back, the, woman on a pillion behind the
men. The squire was a rich taan arol
usually lett the fashion, and now the
youniemen all hustled ou, t•• grip the
squire untackle his hone, aa to see the
new ronvenience.
other, for Mistress Randolph had come
with the &quire and his wife, and we
both curtseyed, ond then I helped her
off with her pelisse and bonnet.
A.1 couldn't tell how it was. but 'I
could see that she wasn't like the other
girls and 1 laid it to her bringing up, but
I know it was because she was better
born. She wig pretty spoken and quiet,
but she carried her head so stately- and
her walk was different.
• "I remember her hair was dressed
high over a cushion. mid acres it in
little waves were strings of something
that Mandy Smith said were glass leads.
but I know they were mark Her
gown was of plum -colored towered sills.
madc with a tunic looped over a satin
pettic(nit. and mho wore high-beeled
shoes different from any I lied ever seen.
"1 ither girls in the room had eyes as
bright and cheeks as rosy, bet 'her all
she wee a great deal haedeener. and I
didn't wonder at Rastas, not a mite.
"I could see that Mandy Smith Ionised
vexed that Mistress Randolph sh-ii:41
look so grand, for she was as fine se a
fiddle herself. She wore a new worsted
gown with a waist no longer than your
finger, and leg of steMon sleeves that
made her look three times as b,uad as
she ought to, bet she m.telda't conspire
with the equire's daughter.
"How spriggieh she looks ' mad
Mandy to me. "Lem -venality's ii.e41
seuvigh for Miss Doolittle. why Mat it
trouble ant1 •tOtkiir WWII WNW
apple paring ever their shoulders, when
all at once she saw my name as plain as
print. It seemed like witchcraft, and
ehe was so startled that she cut her
"How did it happen! Thati strange
enough."
"Yrs. unless you happen to know the
reaso# as I did,' said Raatus. 'Alex.
told me how theicollege boys'had a trick
of cutting out mUsies and pinning them
on to an apple just when it was beginning
to turn red, so I tried it and forgot all
about it, and Portia gut that apple, you
"I told you before dear, that Portia
was an only child. Well, the Judge
could not bear to be parted from her, so
nothing would do but Rastus must go to
Virginia with him. Father wouldn't
let him go empty handed, but a course
'twas little he could do with the Judge's
wealth. They went a week after Thanks-
giving, and niother cried fierself sick,
that her baby, as she called him, must
leave her.
"Well, 'twas happy marriage.
Neither regretted, I'm thinking the way
it turned out, but Portia told ine after-
wards that only for that apple she would
not hme sung that song, and only for
that would Rash's not have dared to
hope; so you see an apple brought hal -
piness to one couple, if it brought misery
into the world."—[Portland Transcript.
Chilled Plow
AGRICULTURAL WORKS.
0 el insevrat nig! tPeurehall"palring andi.dJ741441bbisig 2?.... -‘1"w111 be ces."
AL
IMPLEMENTS on a la• rge scale. MW Work.
ttoinMi.u.oed.ileciltAlpatunnywrantwenktairwinintadthe8Ki:".°1148vgzoe maarecelm aites1710aR, be.
themselves according▪ ly.
ANCHOR LINE. al
UNITED STATES MAIL EITICAMERS
Sall every Saturday.
NEW YOLK 10 GLASGOW
CABINS, EN .0 Es& STEERAGE OW
These Steamers du not carry sheep °roles
NEW YORK TO LONDON DIRECT.
CABINS to 444 Excursion at ltalueed
Passenger accommodaCons are unsurpassed.
All Staterooms Mt Maki Deck.
Passengers booked at lowest rates to or from
any Railroad Station in Europe or America.
Drafts at lowest rates, payable (tree of charge./
throughout England. Scotland and Deland.
For books of information, plans, Ike, apply
N. Y.
Or to MRS. E. WARNOCK. Albion Block.
1751 Agent at Godericb
If You Want 0-ood
GROCERIES,
PROVISIONS,
CROCKERY, or
GLASSWARE,
—GO TO—
D. FERGUSON'S
Hamilton Street, Opposite Bailey's Hotel.
In addition to the ordinary lines of the Grocery and Crockery Tride. I carry • fu stock of
Flour, Meals Pork and Gelleral
"It wits a ballad, all about a lady of
high degree and a poor lad that loved
each other, but she was forced to n,arry
& lord or something, and how she pined
!away and died, and the lad came home
!from the wars and titled and grand, but
he came too late; for she he loved had
married and was now (lead. He went
crazed in his mind from that moment.
It was a sad song and so sweetly sung
that everyone Mopped work to listen.
"Most (of us had never heard a harp
before. end it was a rare treat, for Mis-
, trees Randolph was called a very. fine
singer, and I knew she had a way of
touching the heart that few have, for
• even Mandy Smith wiped her eyes on
her large sleeves, and some of the young
men blubbered out, only they pretended
, afterwards they were coughing. As for
the squire and father, they didn't care if
anyone did see the tears they shed.
"She sung ozie or two other songs,
and then the apples were cleared away,
and Hiram Doet,ticks brought out his
fiddle. Poor old Jack was dead, the one
that used to fiddle on training daYs and
• general muster, and now Hirini dal it
mostly as well at the kitchen junkets.
He eat on a bet ch at the further end,
. and while he tuned his fiddle and rosined
his bow, the sparks and their girl,' faced
each other *down the r s•tn. They
danced money inuak, tour -hand reel, the
Csunpbells are coming. and by-and-by
Virstinny reel. Raatus (lanced that with
Portia Randolph and smnehow when I
saw how grand and handsome they
, looked together I was glad that he put
on broadcloth instead of his weaeing
I "Well, they all went home, and the
I next day mother and I strung the apples
!they had pared. There were • number
bushels, I seem to forget just how
'many. But that was not the best °Ohs
bee. I could see that Ramos felt better
I in his mind, and so I wasn't a mite our -
prised that he should drees up in his free-
: dom suit and go over to the squire's.
, "meatus told me that he was to be
married on Thanksgiving day; that judge
; Randolph came unexpected the night of
the apple bee, and that Portia had
; coaxed him into letting her marry Rastus
though he was much loth, she being an
only daughter , and so fond arid proud
. her. bet that, perhaps, made him
I more yielding.
"Did she my anything abtait snappier
I asked Rastas.
know 1 It was one that hed my name
rei it. She said she was just thinking
j how silly they were trying to malts out
D. Ferguson.
Daniel Gordon,
CA1101-thr llmlorlfteL
PARLOR SUITES.
BED -Room Sr1TEs.
EASY CHAIM4,
LOUNGES,tETC., ETC.
close price..
Cash Buyers fin 1 it to the•r advantage to sec my stock if they need a good.articieet
1). 11.e.st Street, near Post ftiftee, Goderith.
Owing to the state of his health. the undersigned has decided to give up his present bus&
netts. anti now offers to dispose of the same en
LIBERAL TERMS. "1
Appiication can Isp made to himself pefsoinally. The }toll( C onsists. (besides good staple Dr
goods, import cd direct.) of a coniplete and well selected assortment of onocitium.
INTMVsT, PRMSI-1 AND 0-003D;
and the stand being on Eingstoff St.. and only one lot from the square is one of the VERY REST
in the town of Goderich for a good
GROCERY or GENERAL BUSINESS.
1 he proprietor is vrilling to enlarge the premises if required. Meantime the business will be
carried on as hitherto and the present stock. which wili be kept up by additions when required.
will be sold at reduced prices.
Goiderich. 17th May 1481.
JAMES WATSON.
Carriage Works!
3=1. POINT=R
having leased the shop of Mr. y. Rune, is now engaged in the manufacture o
first chum
CARRIAGES, BUGGIES, WAGGONS, etc.
Give me a call, and I will give you prices that cannot be °eaten in th
county.
cSit 3033331-1\T Or DOZT13
KINTAIL CARRIAGE WORKS,
GET YOUR
AUCTION SALE BILLS
PRINTED at the office of TIM HURON RONAL,