The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-03-11
for nothing in the world suited Aunt E,
so much as to have q stranger to talk to
and besides the self-graii6cstion il afforded

~ AAeSu 10 w AAse euAu6eE W tdik 10
and besides the selfgrsti6cstion it afforded
her. sh. tsa'i, Ha, p".-es>--. a. a l.
oFheSoiehi heart, and her hospitality Was ui,-
bounded. But whoever par,ook of It's boun-
thulness, if they were strangers to her, were
invariably obliged to endure a sharp run
ming fire of skillfully-put questions, till the old
lady was satisfied, and she had ascertained not
only who they were, but their occupation, their
present business, and their family prdigree-
for she was, in fact, walking stable of de-
cent " of every body she knew. The gentle
man seated BY the table, and Aunt E. by
the stove, busily engaged with her knitting.
the latter began:
"You are from IL presume (This
was town some ten miles distant.
"No," returned the gentleman, q l reside
in c."
"Do tell" said Aunt E.. "Then you
must be acquainted with the Joneses Sam
Jones? He married niece of old Squire
Patters0his, who lives only about three miles
from here. She was the squires youngest
sister's-B1indy Patterson taird child
Blindy married Eben Peabody, and he was
the son of old Isaac Peabody, what fit in the
Revolution war. And then Ben Peabody
was related to the Salem Peabody, and third
or fourth cousin to that Peabody that went
to England and got so 'mazin' rich"
The gentleman assured her that he was
we'll acquainted with Mr.. Jones, and fire.
quently had business transactions with him.
"Yon in the same bizness as Mr.. Jones ?"
queried Aunt E.
"No, l think moi" said the gentleman look
ing little amused.
Mr.. Jones 10 a shoemaker continued
Aunt E, somewhat nervously. "Then
YOU amt in that bizness ?" said she, evident
ly pondering deeply as to what way she
should commence fresh assault. The gen.
her dilemma, politely.ha
ed her his card, which read, "Jason jerks,
General Commission Merchant"
"Ah!" said Aunt E.. reHectively-not
quite understanding what q General Com
mission Merchant could be. "My brother
john" she continued, "had commission as
Fife Major in the Lafayette Blues; but
never thought he bought it, and know he
told me Cap'n Stone gave it to him, and"
A merry twinkle in Nh. jerks eyes arrest
ed her attention, and it was evident that the
attempt to suppress his risibles was some
what painful; but he Immediately explained
to the good lody the nature of the duties of
a commission merchant much to Aunt
E-'s relief. "For example," said Mr..
Jenks, in conclusion, al am now on my way
to P, to contrsc. quantity of plam5a-
60, to supply large firm in New York, for
doing which shall get certain per cent up
on the cost Of the whole, which will be my
commission for transacting the business
Aunt E-is eyes dilated to their utmost
capacity; she appeared breaihless, and al
most thunders,ruck with astonishment.
"What on arth," she exclaimed, as soon
as she found sufficient breath for the pur-
pose, can anybody on q large farm in New
York want Of that terrible lgnlidgo9 Why
I've had il myself these SIX years, and suffer-
ed more than tongue can tell; and I'd give
my best yoke of oxen to get I'D of the pes
Ky thinsl"
Ii, q, it 10 said, laughter promotes diges.
ton, If is TO be presumed Mr.. Jenks felt 70
from that dinner At least
Harpsr's Drdrer.