The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-07-25
Aunt Sally's Muf:'
BT c. NJ. KENDALL.

Bf c. NJ. KENDALL.
Miss Sally Strong was peculiar woman.
For sixty years she had retained her name,
which exactly suited her hardy nature and
the man having the assurance to ask her to
exchange it for his own would have been
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
question his manhood.
She was one of those who seemed to have
been born an old maid in perspective. Be-
fore 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 SO strik;ngly manifest, that
all prudent Young men, if accidentally walk
ing upon the same sidewalk, to avoid a meet
ing. would very quietly cross to the other
side and allow her the whole Of it.
Yet she was privileged person, and peo-
pie would smile at an ill-natured remark
from her. as though it were compliment
Even the Young minister ofthe parish treated
her with marked respect. although he was
certain to have his last sermon wofullv
criticised. in answer to his kind inquiry re-
gartiirs 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 one who was the largest
contributor to his support.
Aunt Sally. as the villagers universally
pcrty from deceased aunt which her shrewd
business qualities had enabled her to inves:
so advantagcousl.. that she Increased IN
wealth as she did in years. ard. like many
other rich people well advanced in life. had
scores of alicctionate Young relatives. who
each hoped TO obtain large slice OF the cake
ofrcal estate which would DC cut up in the
event Of her dccease. Her cold grey ewes
were too >hrcwd not to see through their
eager attentions to the very selishness Of
their source.
One nephew. however, did not belong rp
this class of schcmcrs. On the contrary. the
old lady was very often tac victim of his
jokes. and he would dispute with her just
for the fun of having hot argument. Yet
for any real service. she would oftencr apply
to him than to any one else. She had even
loaned him sum sufficient to stock a fine
store. but still this Frederick so often annoy
ed and vexcd her that public opinion-cxtend-
ing no further. OF course. than the limits of
the villagc-was about equally divided as to
whether he would be the kivorite heir or be
cut of with shilling
One evening. upon the meeting Of the
parish sewing circle at the house of the sser-
s.man. this nephew perpc,rated joke upon
his aunt. the result of which he never forgot.
She unlike most maiden ladies', considered
these gatherings sort OF fashionable nuisance,
hUt usually WAS present in order to indulge
in her sarcastic remarks. Her nephew was
there, ostensibly to wait upon hi, aunt, but
the fair Lucy. daughter of the worthy
practitioner, DIR. Blood. particularly allurcd
him with her charms.
Did it ever occur to ycu girls said tho
old lady, what YOU are here for -
! 40 be sure. aunt" answered one of her
nicees, simply to make clothing for the poor
hcathcn''
Where may these objects Of your great
pity reside ~
"0, in Siam, Burmah, and other like
places"
Indeed. Well, heavy wollcn shirts are
very serviceable garments, upon my word,
for people living under tropical sum- They
will donbsless Be VET, grateful clothing, so
suited to 'he;r climate
"Wdl done, aunt :" exclaimed Frederick.
~ good shot, and no mistake But these
circles are grand AFFAIRS, after all"
Grand affairs, indeed, Cor Young men to-
say soft things. and silly girls to listen to
them! Grand affairs to dispense the ar
cumulatcd gossip Of month, Grand affair.
for scandal moving. and for everything but
the purpose they profess"
And Aunt Sally looked about her with a
triumphant ( lance. as though her charges
were unarswcrablc.
In fact, too many felt the Justice of her re-
bukc to measure words with her. Even
Frederick agreed so much with her in the
abstract that he was content to remain silent.
Having achieved such moral victory, the
lady continued in unwonted good humor
during the rest Of the evening.
When the party broke up, and 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 re.
membcred that she had left her muff.
"O,ncver mind, aunt" said the Young man
Il will get it and send it up to YOU in the
morning"
but do mind, Fred Strong, for it is no,
my way to leave things about in this manner
But where can it be? l certainly left i,
with my bonnet and cloak"
i Where can it be? echoed all her afFcctien