Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-05-12
Draf nn1le 1efferp,
And the Little Old Maid,
BY BOT LEE.

Never was such commotion known in
the annals of domestic moppcry and broom
cry and scrubbery and dustcry. All good
housewives know how to turn a house up
side down, and the dwelling into which we
are about to introduce our readers was Just
in that agreeable predicamcnt. The cur.
tains were down and the carpets up: the
fires were out and the sweeps were in the
floors were wet and the cisterns dry every
thing was out of its place, in the cndeavor
to put every thing into it /; and the whole
household was in disorder while being put
in order; and because an old uncle was
coming.
All the little and great Pokenhams were
mustered, and marshalIed, and drilled
Mrs. Pokcnham took upon herself the ca.
pacity Of drill sergeant.
Now, girls, no quarrelling, no contra
dction, no hufiing, no sculilng-your old
uncle's coming. Now, boys, no lighting,
no frolcking, no game making, mind and
put the best side out, and behave decently |;
your old uncle's coming. And now, where $
Fanny CARR She is always out Of the
way when she ought to be in it, and in it
when she ought to be out of it, Can't any
of you find Fanny CARR want to give
her some hints and orders, because my old
uncle's coming
A little, plain, understood old maid, some
where about four feet four inches and a
half in height, about six stone six pounds
six ounces in weight, and a complexion
something between saffron and stonc-bue,
and dressed in garb of forgotten date, was
presently poked out Of corner by the
young Pokenhams.
Fanny Carr, said Mrs. Pokcnham
have you done those few trf1ing things
that desired ? Have you seen fresh liner
put on the best bed ?
; yes, ma'am.'
'And have you cured the chimney -boart
Of its rafting =
yes, ma am
= 'And the windows from shaking y
sYes, ma am
'And did you see that the boot jack ant
slippers were placed ready TO his feet ;
!, YES, ma am
'And Mr.. Pokenham's last new dressin!
gown to his hands9'
Yes, ma am
4 'And did you see that the coffee wa
d properly cleared p
yes, ma am
T. 'And the chicken and bottle of wine al
ready to be brought up =
yes, ma am
'You know my uncle's coming
Has any body told any body that M,
unclc's coming?'
e Not a soul of us = exclaimed omnes.
That's right. Why, if it were ono
known, we should have all the world an
= his wife here in less than no time. Ih
Schudamores would be racketing and fro
: licking here, and Christopher and Kate mir
l. cling, and carneying, and blarncying an
= they'd try with witness to get my old VI
: Gle from me-
They'd get troublesome customer
said Miss Pokenham the first.
e. 'Yes; but one hope will pay wei
20 Now, girls, if you dare to show any Of yol
quizzings. and huilings, and black look
you'll spoil all (; and we shall lose all o,
, old uncle's share in the Bank Of Englan
IS, As for you, Jane, if you fall into that O
trick you have got ofturnng up your no.
at every bod y-and you, Margaret Of cuI
= ing up your lip at every thing-and yo
boys, Of badgering and bantering and wo
rying, why, we shall just be throwing awe
all uncle Jeif's bank. stock and landed c
tates and we may as well have them, {
= we have as much right to them as any boz
else.'
f. | wish you may get them,' said mast
" Daniel.
Most rare Daniel said master HUI
phrey, | wish may
- Thanks to the little sister of the primiti
old maid, Fanny Carr, every thing was
!. readiness; the carpets were all down, a
the curtains were all up; the floors we
dry and the fires were lit the covers we
estripped from the hest chairs, the SC