AUNTIE FRENCH

THESE sketches would not be complete without a story of "Auntie French." That is what everyone called her.

The French family came from Boston to California, traveling around "The Horn." They finally settled on a farm on High Prairie.

Mr. French was a carpenter, so they had a really nice house compared with others of the neighborhood. And Auntie had the most wonderful treasures — real china dishes, kept in a cupboard in the living room. On very special occasions she would set the table before the fire place in the living room, taking the precious china from the cupboard, piece by piece, handling them carefully.

Then she pieced such beautiful quilts, occupying her nimble fingers during the hours when she was alone in the house. She gave a quilt to almost every girl whom she knew.

She always had some treasure in the deep pocket of her full skirt, and would delight the children with some slight gift. And any gift was appreciated in those hard times. Once she gave me a handful of ribbon and lace, and said,

"For your dolly." I was overcome with admiration.

She and my mother were devoted friends, and as her family of boys were grown, and she could get away from home without in them too much, she of tell came to visit us and would stay several days.

Auntie believed in being prepared for emergencies, and had the clothes she wished to be buried in, laid away, all in readiness. It was her wish that Mother should be with her when she died. Mother knew where everything in the house was kept.

At last Mother was told that Auntie was seriously ill, and hastened to the French home on the hill. Aunty was indeed ill, and in a few days, the "Grim Reaper" came for her.

In those early days, we did not call a mortician whcn a loved one passed on, but friends and neighbors lovingly performed the last rites.

Mother knew just where to find the clothes that had been laid aside for just this occasion, and so Auntie French was prepared for her last journey. There was no hearse, but the casket was put into a neighbor hack, and carefully covered with one of Auntie's quilts, made by her own hands.

And so passed on one of High Prairie's most colorful, most loved citizens.