The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-06-09
AUNT SALLY'S MUFF.

Aun, Sally, as the village usually called
her, had received the bulk Of her property
from her deceased aunt, which her shrewd
business qualities had enabled her to inves,
so advsntageously that she increased ia
wealth rs she did in years. and like many
other rich people we'll advanced in life, bad
scores Of affectionate young relatives. HeI
cold grey eyes were too shrewed not to see
thro' their eager attentions to the very sell
fishness Of their source. tath H ''i
One nephew, however, did not belong to
this class Of sheemers. On the contrary, the
old lady was very often the victim of hia jokes
and he would dispute with her just for the
fun of having hot argument. Yet, for any
real service, s 9 would apply to him oftnel
than to any one else. She had even lent a
sum sufficient 10 stock fine store, but still
this Frederick so often annoyed and vexed
her, that public opinion was pretty equally
divided as to whether he would be the favor.
ite heir or cut off with a shining.
One evening upon the meeting Of the par.
ish sewing circle at the house Of the clergy
man, this nephew perperirated joke apon
his aunt the result of which she never forgot.
She unlike many maiden laides, considered
these gath ,rings sort Of fashionable nuisance
but usually was present for the sake of in
dulging in her sarcastic ren arks. Her neph-
ow was there ostensbly to wait upon bis
aunt, but tho fair Lucy, daughter of the
worthy practitioner DR.. Blood, particularly
alluded him with her charms.
The evening passed off pleasantly, aud
when tie party roke up, as Frederick was
taking leave of his friends, with his aunt on
one arm, and Lucy upon the other, the old
lady suddenly remembered that she had left
her mutf.
ooh, never mind, aunt" said the young
man, :" 1 will get it and send it to you 10 the
morning"
:" But do mind, Fred Strong, for it is not
my way 10 leave things about in this manner.
But whore Can it be? | certainly left it
with my bonnet and cloak"
Search was Immediately made, and after a
while it was found stuffed into the Deacon s
30, ie upon you, aunt! Sucn niu,, ...i
the deacon only recent widower" exclaim-
ed her laughing nephew.
Aunt Sally seized ber muff, but tho hat
adhered most affectionately to it. BY an
angry wrench it was liberated and the unof.
Tending hat flew across the entry, projected by
the increased maiden. When it arrived at
at the terminus OF its short journey, it had
assumed a most questionable shape, and its
condition might certainly have been termed
" shocking bad"
81 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 had
10 hand 10 this matter!'
"No, will tell you no falsehood about il I;
hut intended it as a joke upon our stiff dea
con, as II uch or more than yourself"
"At best it is but an i'll trick you have
played upon me, and now mark my words,
you shall have reason 10 remember this muff
to The latest days Of your existence"
"As you please, aunt as you take it so
seriously; but didn't think silly joke would
have thus offended you.
Time passed on, and young Strong prosper
ed famously in his business. He had amass-
ed sufficient means to be able to repay his
aunt the sum she had lent him, but she de-
clined receiving it, alleging that she preferred
to havo it remain on interest. In the mean
time he bad persuaded the gentle Loucy TO
share his fortunes. AS for Aunt Sally, a
singular mania seemed to possess her. In
the matter Of real estate, stocks, &C., she had
become perfect alchemist, turning al to
gold.
The neigbbors looked on and wondered,
but none ventured to demonstrate with her.
She was often seen TO visit tie office OF Squire
A., and it was rumored that she was
making final arrangements for the bestowal
Of her property after her decease. The affair
Of the muff was not forgotten, and it was cur
rent with the good villagers that Fred would
have to pay dearly for his joke.
One morning the village was all in action.
During the night the spirit Of the redoubtable
lady had taken lis flight. She was found
dead in her armchair, and died as che had
lived alone. She lad alarmed no one during
the night, nor had she suffered previous i'll.
ness. Curiosity, of course, was intense upon
the eul ject Of her will, and it was produced as
soon as decency would allow. All her con.
nections were present, and their eager, hope
ful, anxious countenances would have furnish.
ed raro subject for the pencil of tho artist.
The reading of the will proceeded until it was
finished, except siugle codicil. Each Of he'
relatives, excepting hor nephew, had been re.
membered-some to a greater extent than
Others, but none considerably.
At all events one third of her fortune bad
been dispensed, and the codecie only remain
ed All eyes were turned TO Frederick
Strong as the lucky one after all. But what
was their surprise when they found it only
made him tho recipient Of her old sable muH
and contents. The word "contents" agair
excited their curiosity, aud, to satisfy them
the article was produced, and found only Il
contain simple paper sewed upon the lining
When detached and opened, in the bolt
hand. writing Of Aunt Sally, were found these
words: s.t...,.- ---t.,..r.sr.e
"Dear Nephew: You will doubtless ap
preciate this, the last joke shall ever b
guilty Of, as / appreciated yours on certain
time you will remember. God bless you and
yours. Farewell"
Frederick declared that he was satisfied
The old lady had fairly retorted upon him
and he certainly deserved nothing better a
her hands. o ~ b8Iu )lW IC1 1Ffrte
But what had become Of Aunt Sally
money! That was the mystery, and it be
came wonder to the worthy villagers, wht
discussed it on every occasion. She wa.
known 10 have large sums Of money at tb,
various banks, but all this her anxious relative
aecei tanned was drawn but few days befor
H. lu.tt, C.,,..o A cone,tf Al