Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-10-26
miscello1reo
THE OLD MAID AND HER PETS.
BY MRS. C. H. cRIsWELL.

Aunt Maria lived in an old fashioned house in
the country, where nobody ever visited her en-
cept her neghbors, who generally came on bu,i-
ness-,hat is to say, they came to obtain from
her, advice both for bodily and mental ailments.
She was quite physician in her way, and Ger
tanly her remedies were very eficacous. Be-
sides. she was reputed sybil-a true prophecies
for her predictions seldom proved fase-and
many L ove-lorn swain and signing lasSle bent
their footstep at earely morn or late eve, to Aunt
Maria's lonely dwelling.
Now. she was as kind-hearcd and good an
old maid as any one ever knew. All her neigh
bors loved her sincerely. and in return for her
many kind Offices, did all in their power to rem
der her life easy and comfortable
Her chief happiness, and may say delight,
was in her pets, which shall enumerate: three
cats. two Maltese kittens, one parrot, one mon-
KEY. two canaripS six rabbits, two squirrels, one
Gninea pir, Il white rat, and great black New
foundand. That is all | remember-ihere might
have been more-but these will Go to illustrate
my story.
everv dav-and it so happened that stranger
came to dwell in the little village am telling
you of; and in truth, he was the strangest
stranger that ever was seen by the good people
of tha, place. He was tall, thin, middle-aged
man had hump on his back, and was blind ct
one eve-and cf all the countenances you ever
saw, his had the queerest, most grotesque eS-
preston.
Well. dear reader, this strange stranger, who
called himself John strange, settled down very
quietly in little dwelling, about hundred
wards from that of Aunt Maria This good lady
da,ino from the arrival Of said stranger, became
very unsettled in mind and body, people Won
dered what made her look and act SO strange as
she continually did-but although they wonder
ed she wondered great deal more
One night, just after sunset, in the month OF
November, Aunt Maria was alone in her pleasant
sitlinq-room No not exactly alone-for all her
pets surrounded her-the parrot, the canarles,
and the squirrels in their respective cages the
white rat and the Guinea pig sleeping quietly
together in a little box upon shelf, the monkey
plaving with the rabbits in corner, the poodle
sitting in his mistress lap, the cats and kittens
snooing together on the hearth-rug, and the
GREAT Newfoundland squatling before The fire,
His red tongue lolling out with the heat, and
looking very sagacousiy in Aunt Marla's face.
Indeed, it would have made an interesting picture
this "happy family"-even Barnum might
have enved, had he looked on.
There was silence in the room, until some
one gently tapped at the door, Aunt Maria
started, but said, "come in"
A modest, smiling, country lassle then gllded
to the side of the sybil, as the villagers called
her, and, dropping upon her knees, said in fal-
ry voice, "tell me my fortune, please"
The good woman laid her hand caresslngly
on her young head. "Yes, Phebe."
"Oh, no !' screamed the parrot, winkng one
eve "l'll tell your fortune"
"Hush. poll Your hand, Phebe. All! you
have ouarreIled with your jealousy-ah!
have a care-what's this! Phebe! you are
wrong-make up with him and yours shall be q
happy lot. That's all can tell you now leave
mer'
$50 away" cried POLL Phebe, kissing the
SYPHILIS hand departed.
Tap! tap on the window shutter-tnp tap
tap!
"Bow WOW bow WOW, WOW, wow" barked
the big dog. .,,,,
#siIeuce Bepps! be still! cupid!"
Tap! tap! rap! rap! on the door
esprit rappers!" screamed Poll.
Come-in," said Aunt Maria, hesitatingly.,
The door opened, and strange to relate the
stranger John Strange, stood before her,
The dogs growed and barked-the cats and
kittens puffed out their tails and bumped up
their backs as if in derision-the rabbits ND
! tbomsaIves under corner of the carpet-the