Annals of our ancestors; one hundred and fifty years of history in the ...

1 84
ANNALS OF OUR ANCESTORS
day I happened to look out to the gate of Green Tree, when
my eyes beheld a couple of strange objects, and I called to
Aunt 'Rusha Spinning to inquire what it all meant. She
laughed and told me that Kin and a Fitzgerald girl had been
visiting the attic and were "dressed up" and out for a walk,
probably bound for "Red Lion." They were called back,
however, and returned reluctantly — absurd little figures in
old-fashioned long skirts and shawls, while upon their heads
were cast-oflF straw bonnets long out of date. How quaint
their faces looked in those old flaring bonnets with ancient
baize veils and decorations of wild flowers!
Grandfather Benjamin Morris was not at home when we
were there that time; when at the Green Tree he occupied the
back room downstairs. The first evening of our visit Julia
built a fire there in the great open fireplace and we young
people gathered about it. I see again the play of light and
shadow on the old-time furniture of grandfather's room, the
high-post, corded bedstead with its hand-woven, woolen cover-
lid, fringed all around — in what solemn stateliness it stood
waiting for its old occupant to come back! Everything about
us was of the long ago, but we were young and merry. John
and Albert brought out apples to warm before the blazing fire
and popped corn where corn pops best — over the coals of a
wide, old-fashioned fireplace. How the flames shot up the
old black back wall in use for so many winters! Again they
flickered over the ancient furnishings but left the remote corners
in deep shadow. Little wonder that Grandfather Benjamin
Morris had visions of horses and riders prancing through
his room! It is true, however, that he ceased to tell what he
saw in the shadows when he gave up the use of tobacco, to
which he had been immoderately addicted.
Julia sat sewing with her busy fingers, seldom idle in this
large family in the days when all the sewing was done at home
by hand. William read aloud to us, and when at his best he
was most entertaining. His knowledge of authors and his
apt quotations from them, his store of amusing anecdotes and
illustrations, not only entertained but instructed us as well.
The others were gay of heart and some were quick at repartee.