Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-06-12
AUNT SALLY,S MUFF.

man having the assurance to ask her to ex-
change 1t for his own, would have been a rare
companion for Cummings in his tiger hunts in
the jungles Of Africa At least, no one in the
village Of B would dare To ouestion his
manhood
She was one Of those who seemed to have
been born an old maid in perspective. Before
she arrived at her teens, she used to stone the
boys, with malignant delight; and ere she
was out OF them. her contempt for the opposite
Sex was stFikingly manifest, that all prudent
young men, if accidentally walking upon the
same side walk to avoid a meeting, would very
quietly cross to the other side and allow her
the whole Of it.
Yet she was privileged person, and people
would smile at an ill-natured remark from her
ss though IL were a compliment. Even the
young minister Of the parish treated her with
marked respect although he was certain to
have his last sermon wonderfully criticised, in
answer to his kind inquiry regarding her
health. The secret Of all this might have been
written In three words-she was rich; and even
the clergyman was worldly minded enough to
desire to be on good terms with who was
the largest contributor to his support.
Aunt sally, as the villagers universally called
her, had received the bulk Of her property
from deceased aunt, which her shrewd bust
ness qualities had enabled her to invest so
advantageously that she increased in wealth
as she did IN years, and, like many other rich
people well advanced in life, had scores of af-
teetonate young relatives, who each hoped to
obtain large slice of the cake of real estate
which would be cut up in the event of her de-
csase. Her cold gray eyes were too shrewd not
70 see through their eager attentions to the
very selishness Of their source
One nephew, however did not belong to this
class of schemers. On the contrary the old
lady was very often the victim of his Jokes and
he would dispute with her just for the fun of
having hot argument Yet for any real SER
anax 0ffo .,,lv, L
one else. She had even loaned him sum
suf1eient to stock fine store. but still this
Frederick 20 often annoyed and yexcd her that
public Opinion-extendng no further, of course,
than the limits of this village-was equally di-
vided as to whether he would be the fayorite
heir or be cut of with shilling.
One evening, upon the meeting Of the parish
sewing circle at the house Of the clergyman,
this nephew perpetrated n joke upon his aunt
the result of which he never forgot. She, un-
like most maiden ladies, considered these gath
erings sort Of fashionable nuisance, but usual
ly was present in order to indulge in her
sarcastic remarks. Her nephew was there os-
tsnsibly to wait upon his aunt, but the fair
Lucy, daughter OF the worthy practitioner, Dr.
Blood, particularly allured him with her charms
Did 1t ever occur to you, girls" said the
old lady, " what you are here fOr?''
To be sure, aunt answered one of her
nieees, :. simply to make clothing for the poor
heathen"
Where may these objects of your great pity
residel''
20, in Siam, Burmah, and other like places. -
Indeed. Well, heavy woollen shirts are
very servicable garments, upon my word, for
the people living under tropical sun. They
wall oubtless be very grateful for clothing SO
suited to their climate
Well done, aunt. ;" exclaimed Frederick
good shot and no mistake. But these cir
clss are grand affairs, after ALL
Granl Affairs indael for youny man 70 GOV
soft things, and silly girls to listen to them
Grand Affairs to dispense the accumulated
gossip Of q month Grand affairs for scandal
moving, and for everything but the purpose
they profess -
And Aunt Sally looked about her with
triumphant glance, as though her charges were
unanswerable.
In fact, too many felt the justice of her rebuke
TO measure words with her. Even Frederick
agreed SO much with her in the abstract that
ne was content to remain silent. Having
achieved such a moral victory, the lady con-
tinue1 in unwontsd good humor during the
rest Of the evening
When the party broke up, as Frederick was
taking leave OF his young friends, with his
aunt upon one arm and the fair Lucy upon the
other, the old lady suddenly remembered that
she had left her muf
oh. never mind, aunt" said the young
man will get it and send it up to you in
the morning"
g But do mind, Fred. Strong, for it is not
my way to leave things about in this manner
But where can ii be- Icertainly left il with
ny bonnet and cloak"
- Where can it be!' echoed all her affection
ate nieces, diving into sundry places in their
eagerness to assist in the search.
Somebody must have taken a." cried one
That is impossible" answered another,
L" for aunt's muf is unlike all others"
- That is as true" said Fred, lau Ching, ''as
barrel is unlike two gallon keg." And he
gave Lucy u mischievOus glance, which she in
terpreted 70 mean that he knew the where
abouts Of the missing article better than any
one else.
1t certainly is not with any of the ladies'
things said one Of the young relations.
u, plague upon you all ?'' was tho kind re-
ply; 81 must hunt it up myself, suppose"
Deacon Gray, you have not taken aunt's
muf by mistake, have you. :" asked Fred, ma
liciously.
That functionary drew himself up stifiy as
though the imputatiOn was unworthy Of an an
swer, and stepped aside.
"Well, / never W exclaimed one Of the young
ladies.
Who could have done it ?" added another
= Be silent-Hiil you ~ cried the irritable
maiden; or tell me where l can find it."
Why, il is in Deacon Gray's hat, pressed in
80 tightly that We cannot remove it,
20, fe upon you, aunt, Such a hint and
the deacon only a recent widOWer"' exclaimed
he laugning nephew.
Aunt Sally seized her muf but the hat al
hered most afectiOnately to il. BY an angry
wrench il was liberated. and the unoffending
hat hev across the entry, projected by the Wig
OrOus foot of the incensed maiden. When it ar
rived At the terminus Of its short journey, il
had assumed a most questionable shape, and its
condition might certainly have been termed
" shocking bad"
l will pay you for this, young man"
Don't trouble yourself, dear aunt. So far
as am concerned, you are entirely welcome.
You will perhaps tell me that you have had
no hand in this matter -
No, will tell you no falsehOod about it,
but intended it as joke upon our stiff dea-
con- as much or more than upon yourself.
- At best il is but an i'll trick You have play
ed upon me, and now mark my words You
shall have reason To remember this muff to the
latest days Of your existence"