New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1861-02-08

CnouSut OF aunt Jane; Dut Gould
see no other way to accommodate Mrs.
Grundy, SO / took down my hat, and
went to Aunt James
Tall, stiff, frigid was Aunt Jane, as
usual. Chilling was my greeting,
withering was the glance cast at my
muddy boots, but my errand was sue.
cessful. Aunt Jane had always CON
tsidered me foolish in living alone, and
she agreed to make my house her home
whilst my ward was with me. Leaving
her with carte blanche for the arrange
ments, I went to court. My ward
danced over my briefs, and I addressed
the presiding judge once as Miss Lee,
once as Miss Fannie. was released
Fat last, and went home.
What sight awaited me! Taking
advantage Of my order to "do IS she
thought proper" Aunt Jane had in
stituted a regular house cleaning in
the middle Of January. As she had
only one day to do it in, she had taken
it all at once. From the garret to the
cellar there was not fire; the furnace
| fire had gone out and there was not
one to make it up; everybody was too
busy. There were women on step-lad-
ders, women under tables, women on
the stairs, women in the closets women
from the front door to the roof. Buck
cts Of water, large cakes Of soap, rags,
brushes, towels, brooms, bottles, empty
and full, books, everything in the most
direful confusion. l wal. standing rue
fully contemplating the scene when l
heard q well-known snifle at my
elbow.
II am so sorry, Mr.. Holiness" said
Mrs. Dodd, "that we couldn't do the
Office; but it was locked, and We could
not find the boy" And at the same
instant l felt a key slipped into my
hand.
Mentally promising Mrs. Dodd an
extra V with her months wages, l said,
"Oh, I've got the key. Aunt Jane,
l expect Miss Lee at m;dnigh*, it is
now five o'clock. May l ask how am
to receive her in this mess?"
"Oh; it will all be done by that time.
We did not take up the carpets; only
covered them, and we will soon get
through"
/ went to the Office. Dodd! Dodd!
Incompatible Dodd! A frc burned
brightly in an open CRATE, cold COLA
ton was spread upon the tables, and
not book out Of place. 1 was scarce
ly seated when my melancholy house
keeper eutered with hot coffee and
''You see, sir, Miss Jane said there
was no time to got your dinner, 50 did
the best could with tho cold tongue
and chicken, and l did manage some
oysters if you will have them" And
she left to return with one Of her most
delicious stews. ........
"1f Mss Lee wants a maid, sir, my
cousin has handy girl about twenty
who would be glad to come"
"Have her here tonight" 1 said
And with a grateful courtesy and
sniffle, Mrs. Dodd left me.
Aunt Jane was as good as her word,
When I left the house to 60 to the
boat it was in its usual order, though
racking headache reminded me Of the
noise and confusion tina: had prevailed
until after ten o'clock.
The boat came up to the wharf the
moment after I arrived there, and Il
went on board to find my ward. /
looked at all the young ladies, and in
stinctively expected to Gee the blue
eyes and fair hair Of my old friend
George. One after another, all those I
singled out were carried off by fathers
or brothers, or had an escort with them
Concluding that Miss Lee had to wait
for her new bonnet, l was leaving the
boat when . tall, elderly gentleman
near me said:-
"Well, Miss Fannie, VIC must try to
find Mr.. Holmes house."
I said, quickly, "Miss Lee?"
1.-THE same, SIR" said the gentleman.
ssMiss Screwem asked me to take
charge of her. Are you friend Of Mr..
Holmes! Fannie, here is the gentle.
man your guardian has sent to meet
you"
Could that tiny little figure beside
him be nay ward! She was mufled up
in furs, woolens, shawls, till she WAS
nearly as broad as she was long, and
xora a heavy brown veil. She did