ed out under the bottom of the gown as if they were trying
to kick backward. But Uncle Braddock never kicked. He was very old and
he had all the different kinds of rheumatism, and walked bent over
nearly at right-angles, supporting himself by a long cane like a
bean-pole, which he grasped in the middle. There was probably no
particular reason why he should bend over so very much, but he seemed to
like to walk in that way, and nobody objected. He was a good old soul,
and Kate was delighted to see him.

"Uncle Braddock!" she cried.

The old man stopped and turned around, almost standing up straight in
his astonishment at seeing the young girl alone in the woods.

"Why, Miss Kate!" he exclaimed, as she came up with him, "what in the
world is you doin' h'yar?"

"I've been gathering sumac," said Kate, as they walked on together, "and
Harry's gone off, and I couldn't wait any longer and I'm just as glad as
I can be to see you, Uncle Braddock, for I was beginning to be afraid,
because its getting dark so fast, and your dressing-gown looked prettier
to me than all the trees when I first caught sight of it. But I think
you ought to have it washed, Uncle Braddock."

"Wash him!" said Uncle Braddock, with a chuckle, as if the suggestion
was a very funny joke; "dat wouldn't do, no how. He'd wash all to bits,
and the pins would stick 'em in the hands. Couldn't wash him, Miss Kate;
it's too late for dat now. Might have washed him before de war, p'raps.
We was stronger, den. But what you getherin sumac for, Miss Kate? If you
white folks goes pickin it all, there won't be none lef' soon fur de
cull'ed people, dat's mighty certain."

"Why, I'm picking it for the colored people," said Kate, "at least for
one colored person."

"Why don't you let 'em pick it the'rselves?" asked the old man.

"Because Aunt Matilda can't do it," said Kate.

"Is dat sumac fur Aunt Matilda?" said Uncle Braddock.

"Yes, it is," said Kate, "and Harry's been gathering some, and we're
going to pick enough to get her all she wants. Harry and I intend to
take care of her now. You know they were going to send her to the
alms-house."

"Well, I declar!" exclaimed the old man. "I neber did hear de like o'
dat afore. Why, you all isn't done bein' tuk care of you'selves." Kate
laughed, and explained their plans, getting quite enthusiastic about it.

"Lem me carry dat bag," said Uncle Braddock. "Oh no!" said Kate, "you're
too old to be carrying bags."

"Jis