The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-06-30
The NeateSt Woman on Record.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

|
it, that liant no call to praise my own fam
ily, there hant so neat woman on the airth
as yer Aunt Betsy !"
Eben Blixford got into his wagon anc
rode off, leaving his nephew, Edward Creigh
ton. deeply impressed by the warmth Of the
invitation that had just been extended tc
him, to visit his relation, at Mapleton.
Edward was about twenty-five years Of
age-senior at Bowdoin-and home on his
summer vacation. He was good hearted,
free and easy fellow, with no very definite
ideas of Wednesday, farther than it con-
sisted in tuczing French novels, and for
hidden cigars under lounge cushions aud
table covers, and sweeping the dirt out OF
the middle of the floor into the corners, on
the approach Of visitors.
/ He supposed that was how his Aunt Bet
sy manageable fellows did that way at
Bowdoin; a very good way it was, be
thought. Saved trouble, and if there was
anything lie particularly disliked, it was
fuss"
Ills mother advised him to except the in
vitation; if she remembered Alright, his Aunt
Betsy was neat woman, & made excellent
butter and cheese And Mapleton was eel
ebrated for wild berries and Astounding
trout brooks.
The latter inducement brought our hero
to a decision Irouting was very much to
his taste in more senses than one; so he threw
a few things together in vaise, and one
fine summer day the train set him down at
Mapeton. He inquired the way to Mr.
Blixford's of q farmer he met by the road,
and received the desired information togeth-
er with the assurance that Mrs Blixford was
a dreadful neat woman"
The Blixford homestead was as prlm as
a hawthorn hedge, nicely painted White gate
and two trim Lombard poplars III the
front yard, could make it. He left the
gate open and went up the neatest gravel
walk to the front door. His rap was not
responded to for long time, but at last the
door was opened little way, and sharp
nosed, thin faced women, i'll scant blue
calico gown, filled the aperture
s'No we don't want to buy anything OF
all" she said CHANGING at Edwards va!lst
/ -'nothing, whatever and mind and shut
the cate after you, as you so out"
i am not a pedler," remarked Edward.
Il am Edward Creighton, and YOU | sup
pose, must be Aunt Betsy,
The land Of goodness! | want to know
Whv how you've growed Wall, you just
run back aud shut the gate, while | go and
get the broom"
She disappeared within, leaving Edward
vaguely wondering what she wanted OF the
broom. He recolected that the particular
utcnsil mentioned, was popularity considered
a woman's Weapon-and-just then MS
Aunt Betsy reappeared.
'.There, you stand right still where you o(
and I'll fix you i'll mint The road i
muddy-and your boots are awful! don't
like to have any durt on the fore room car
pet, it grinds the threads out So we use
tother door altogether
And she brushed his pedal extremlte'
With vigor that threatened, moinentarly
to upset his understanding; filing his eyes
and the whole neighboring region witt
dust.
Come right in after you've used thu
scraper, and mind and step on the lie cloti
it liant so bad to get dirt Off from that ere
as tbs off from wooden carpeclng ana
YOU will throw that>bunch OF leaves away
shall be obliged to you lido hate to have
such things brought into the house! Ihey
make clutter, and so much sweeping
Come right through this way. We don
make practice of sitting in the parlor any,
it is so much work to dust things, and keel
it clean"
She led him through the dingy room des
! titute Of mating, save braided rug IN th'
centre of the floor Everything was scupu
lously neat; the chairs all set back agalns
the WaIl-the table cloth in orthodox square
ness-even the cat that pured OH the WIN
dow had her tail nicely tucked over hel
paws! :,
don't like to have anything laying round
How's your marin ? and your father?
Edward managed to say they were well,
and tilted back his chair after fashion o
his own, putting his feet on the rounds.
"Oh Edward my dear nephew don't pu
vonr feet on.the chair 1t is painted such a
fioht color that it shows the dirt almost al
!, much as white there, I'll wipeit off, an(
, vou'u be careful not to do so again AnC
: If YOU would mind and not put your heaC
against the wall paper--it sies real quick
Fye oot our men folks arnt 50 that They're
: quite decent behaved but had an awfu
stent Of it Why, when | first lived witt
yer Uncle Ebeu, it took me half the time t
! clean up after him he was alus tracking
the floor and leaving his clothes round
:. sonewheres where he hadn't orter Why
once. lie left the milk pail setting on th
; door step aud hung his old barn coat up OF
! the post of the spare room bedstead die
; use to be skart half to death for fear W.
! should git stuck in the dirt
Just then, Cousin Lila came bounding II
red-cheeked, roguish and pretty. She was
! fresh from walk in the woods, and he
! hands full of flowers, and her apron of moss
cs
z .sGood gracious !" cried her nother-spring
J ing up and forcing her from the room y
ever | seed the like 5! Why, you've droppe(
+ three sprinkles Of dirt, and piece OF mos
= on the floor Your enough to try SAINT
: And if you haint tore your apron, too
: place as large as a pea Oh dear, oh dear
+ | do wish | could learn you to be more par
ticuIar You will wear me into the grave )!
Uncle Eben, hale and hearty, came IN t
greet his nephew. He had been ''haylng,
:. and a few straws chung to his jacket ID
sat down in the rocking chair, but was
quickly elected by the neatest woman o.
a record She took out the cushlon-carrle
+ it to the door, but after shaking it vlgor
: ousy, put itin the closet to keep 1t clean
!; This first day was only faint recollection
d or foreshadowing Of the days that followed
T Edward rose every morning with wonde
d as to how he was going to get through tn
/; day and nights, he was afraid to turn owe
to bed, lest be should wrinkle the sheets.
7 He slept without any pillows he woul'
u have slept on the floor, and left the bed t.
! it's solitary state, but the carpet was ligh
t one, and .'siled so easily"
: His valise was repaeked by the Garrett
! hands Of his aunt, in such way ne neye
i succeeded in finding anything he wanted
5 until the necessity for it had ceased to exist
;, and if he left comb, or hair brush on tn
it drawing-table in the morning, he had to 6
e down stairs and ask Aunt Betsy for it, whe
n he wanted it
u Just SO with his hat. She inyariabl
+ool- Il ond mt II au,ay. and whenever