Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-11-05

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her health, that they so often propounded the
question. She always took it in good part,
however, thinking, no doubt, that they regar-
ded her of much consequence. and felt deep
interest in her welfare. This was so crafty
ing to her self-esteem. that she never felt
! herself annoyed by these numerous inquiries
after her health
J Ere proceed to the finale of my story,
would beg space to relate little incident
which happened at my grandfathers house
one evening, by which myself and some 9TH
or of the younger ones were much irighten-
ed Hearing knock at the 'end door, my
grandfather requested female cousin OF
mine, older than myself, TO 60 to the door
She accordingly went, but had scarcely open
ed it. before she shrieked out and came rush
ing back to the front room.
%, grandfather says she, do go to the
door and see what it is do 60, do go-such
a sight
The old gentleman seemed not in the least
moved, but we younger ones trembled, and
were sore afraid. He quickly and boldly
went to the door, and there, in the darkness
of evening, stood the form of Aunt Judy, in
cloak and hood.
How do you do, Aunt Judyl said my hon
ored parent.
why, cl-ev-er-ly, doctor--how do you dol
The old lady during her brief tarry that
eve, appeared as though she felt aggrieved
that any one should be frightened at her per-
sonal appearance.
Now we come to the grand finale,
OF this, our frozen tomcod tale.
Aunt Judy had closed another days labor
at the house of Mr.. O-d, about a mile
from her house. She had packed up her
duds,' and was about to leave, when Mr..
Cd. who had been out upon the ice du-
ring the evening, presented her with some
nice large tomcods. They were frozen stiff
as poker and carefully wrapped up in a
paper.
Aunt Judy thankfully received the fish,
while her mouth actually watered in antici
patton of the delicious breakfast in store for
her the next morning.
Having snugly deposited her icy gift in
her enormous pocket. she babe the hospita-
BILE family good night hoping they would
all be 'cl-ev-er-ly' when she should meet
them again. and departed.
1t was bitter cold night, and when about
half way home, Aunt Judy was compelled
to call at the house ola friend to warm up
! little.
For the wind was high, the air was cold,
And Judy she was somewhat old.
She keenly felt the cutting frost,
And mourned her youthful vigor lost.
Without stopping to knock, aunty intro
duced herself at once to the happy family
circle, and was most cordially welcomed to
the comforts of the room. A cheering fire
was blazing in the huge fireplace, sending
its grateful light and warmth all over the
room Aunt Judy planted herself at once
in 'close proximity to the welcome fire, with
her pocket side neares: it. As she felt its
benign influence throughout her chilled and
aged frame, her nerves relaxed their tension,
and drowsiness naturally came creeping
over her. And there she sat in a kind of
halt unconscious state. her eyes closed, and
her head gently inclining towards one shout
der, while
Her hood flung back upon the chair.
Revealed her hoary head of hair
From her drowsiness she was occasionally
aroused by some one in the room who did
not seem inclined to let her have much peace.
She would for moment arouse to reply to
some impcrtinent question, but would as
quickly relapse again.
But the warmth which made Aunt Judy
sleepy, operated vice versa on the congeal-
ed deposits in her long pocket. She thought
she felt something rubbing against her dress
on the pocket side, and supposing 1t To be
some cat or dog, and feeling in that peculiar
mood which cannot endure any disturbance,
she struck quick and heavy blow at the
supposed ANIMAL exclaiming at the same, IN
her own peculiarly shrill, passionate, author
itative tone, 'ge; out!' SO loud and so unex-
pected withal was this ejaculation, that all in
the room instantly sprang from their seats,
spontaneously excaming:
why, Aunt Judy, what is the matterF
Why says she, looking about her to see
if she had not annihilated some animal. Il
wish the plaguy cats and dogs would keep
away from me- always hated EN-
Cats and dogs replied all, with one voice,
there has not been cat or dog in the room
this whole evening".
well, then, | must have been dreaming,
that's all said Aunt Judy, in determined
manner.
She had now got fairly walked up and
was OF the point of rcsumng her cloak and
departing, when she again felt the imagina-
ry quadruped against her side
Why. there il is again. cried she, clap
ping her hand against her dress, what is II
what can it be' Has rat got under my
dress, or into my pocket!. The old lady
now began to look wild, and jumping upon
her feet, she exclaimed: 10, dear, what shall
do! what shall dol Help! help
Aunt Judy in her severe agitation and
fear, danced around the room with the most
surprising agility for one of her age, upset
ting chairs, running against the table, etc,
etc. She felt the something still alive and
kicking in her long pocket, but did not dare
to put her hand in. | know not how long
she would have frantically danced about the
room, if one of the Goods had not in tit OF
desperation reported himself upon the floor.
why, what have we hereF cried all, with
ono voice, who had, during the melee, been
endcavoring to calm Judy's troubled spirit
Its tomcod-it's tomcod!