The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-09
G5e storp GelIer.
AUNTY ATKINSON.

A rather tall, not very erect figure came
with cheerful step, and more than cheerful
smile, towards the pleasant portico where sat
two ladies busy with their work until now.
The squirc's lady had arisen, and her portly
figure nearly covered the small grayish win
dow, and its Provence rosebush that grew in
q huge pot underneath. The other also
stood with knit brows, and iussily adjusting
her knitting needles, looking now and then
at Aunty Atkinson with less rigid frown,
until at length she held out her meager
hand that was clasped with pleasant
warmth in that of the handsome looking
lady.
Now you've come to spend the afternoon,
know exclaimed the squire's lady, poking
ner fat hsnd<ueag the BOWS Of her visitors
green calash, and rapidly untieing them.
sit right down in this big easy chair I've
been wanting good long talk with you,
this great while. Kitty she continued, de-
posting the calash in the hands of the SER
want girl, .tcll John to have the table car
ricd in the arbor, and well take snpper
there. It's so pleasant, she continued, turn
ing to aunty. ito take tea outdoors in such
balmy air Us this
Il really didn't intend to stay said aunty,
with her twinkling smile: .but since you
seem bent upon it, why will. couldn't
find pleasan,er place that know
1t did not take long to set three tongues
going; there was plenty to talk about
Aunty's sons and aunty's daughter, the
souire's rheumatic and the little pet lamb
that died yesterday and was buried under
the peach tree in the garden, aunty's daush-
ter so soon to change her name and station.
Don't you feel bad to have her taken
from your quericd Miss Frctt, drawing her
solemn countcnance to the utmost limits OF
sympathizing sorrow.
.Oh don't know as do, very replied
aunty, with that ever merry twinkle: she
loves tho man she is going to marry, aud he
loves her. He has enough to keep her in
comfort, even elegance; and if the poor
thing gets along without her mothers trials
l shall be very thankful. If troubles come,
why, she must meet them as have.
The squiro's lady cast triumphant glance
toward Miss Fret the latter smiled incredu-
lously, as she asked Pray what do you
call trouble, Aunty Atkinson ?
The worst trouble, and the hardest to get
over, is the loss Of kindred replied aunty,
smiling serenely, in return to Miss Frett's
little show of sarcasm. Il have lost many
friends , she added, in a lower voice. her
ewes instinctivcly turned towards heaven,
.bu. (this thought makes me happy and con-
tented to stay,) | am every day drawing
nearer to those love, who have only gone
before
Quick springing tears obscured the merry
twinkle for u. moment, but as suddenly the
smile shone through.
we were wondering, said the squires
lady, 'if you ever had sorrow OF that kind
Miss Frett and I {; that was just before you
came. she said mo- with confidence. and the
reason was, because you were so sunshiny and
happy looking. Now. do tell us il you have
had trouble-anything deep aud abidingT
.Not abiding said aunty softly, Don't
YOU know the Scotch have saying, that the
morning blinks sometimes on heavy clouds,
but shuts at cen on clear starry night =
And so trouble endureth but night, but JOY
come,h in the morning. Thus with my heavy
afiic.ious-they could ovenhadow my bless
ings only for little while. Now shall |
give You an outline Of my historyT
DO cried tho squire's lady delishtedly'
nodding ut the same time to respectable
man-servant in reply to some mute gestures :
the nod meant, YES, Cole, put the silver on
sunty is distinguished visitor The man
and his snow.white apron disappeared, and
Miss Frctt leaned her eyes over her hooked
nose, that she might look narrator and nara