he capacious brick oven was heated no less than four times during the
day, and the savory odor from the numerous dishes taken therefrom
bespoke a plentiful repast for the apple-parers. I was kept from school
that day to take part in the grand preparations going forward. Aunt made
me quite happy that morning by saying "I was a right smart handy boy,
and could help along amazingly" if I would stay from school. I would
have done much more than this for the few words of commendation bestowed
upon me by my aunt, who was usually so hard to please. Neat as was her
daily household arrangements, on this day every corner of the old house
passed under a most searching review; and dust before unnoticed was
brought to light in a most alarming manner, and as my aunt passed
through the house on her tour of investigation, the very walls, with
their closets and three-cornered cupboards, seemed to shrink back with
apprehension, not knowing where she might make the next discovery of
hidden dust or litter. I was so much elated by her encouraging words in
the morning that I set to work with a right good will; but before the
preparations were all completed I found that an apple-paring bee at
Uncle Nathan's was no trivial matter, and involved a large amount of
labour. The brass knobs on all the doors, as well as the large brass
andirons in the parlor, had to be polished till they shone like
burnished gold and this with other countless tasks all fell on me; but
the longest and most laborious day comes to a close, and so did this
sixth of October, and tired enough were we all long before night came.
Poor old grandma really entertained the idea that she was of much
assistance, and remained up for an hour or so beyond her usual time of
retiring, "to help things along," as she said. With all my aunts sharp,
crusty ways, one could not but respect her, when they noticed with what
forbearance she treated every whim and fancy of her aged mother, and
upon this occasion when she advised the old lady to retire to rest, and
she replied, "that she must sit up to hurry things along," she did not
press the matter but allowed her to take her own way. The important
evening arrived, and with it a merry company of both old and young who
filled the large kitchen and dining-room to overflowing. All were in the
best of spirits, and working and talking progressed about equally. Each
one was furnished with a knife sharpened for the purpose, and a basket
of apples allot