Uncle Bart and Abel Day, with their
respective wives on the back seat of the Cole's double wagon,
were passed by Deacon Baxter and his daughters, Waitstill being
due at meeting earlier than others by reason of her singing in
the choir. The Deacon's one-horse, two-wheeled "shay" could hold
three persons, with comfort on its broad seat, and the
twenty-year-old mare, although she was always as hollow as a
gourd, could generally do the mile, uphill all the way, in half
an hour, if urged continually, and the Deacon, be it said, if not
good at feeding, was unsurpassed at urging.
Aunt Abby Cole could get only a passing glimpse of Patty in the
depths of the "shay," but a glimpse was always enough for her, as
her opinion of the girl's charms was considerably affected by the
forlorn condition of her son Cephas, whom she suspected of being
hopelessly in love with the young person aforesaid, to whom she
commonly alluded as "that red-headed bag-gage."
"Patience Baxter's got the kind of looks that might do well
enough at a tavern dance, or a husking, but they're entirely
unsuited to the Sabbath day or the meetin'-house," so Aunt Abby
remarked to Mrs. Day in the way of backseat confidence. "It's
unfortunate that a deacon's daughter should be afflicted with
that bold style of beauty! Her hair's all but red; in fact, you
might as well call it red, when the sun shines on it: but if
she'd ever smack it down with bear's grease she might darken it
some; or anyhow she'd make it lay slicker; but it's the kind of
hair that just matches that kind of a girl,--sort of up an'
comin'! Then her skin's so white and her cheeks so pink and her
eyes so snappy that she'd attract attention without half trying
though I guess she ain't above makin' an effort.
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