Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-10-16
AUNT JULIA'S VISIT.

Pay the postman! pay the postman :"
ssDg the one / loved best on earth, as he
held dainty envelope just above my reach.
Please and sprang upon a chair, and
then upon the sofa, in my fruitless endeavor
ts reach the coveted prize.
EItertion exclaimed, as he stopped
tS receive the kiss / was but too willing to
give, as his fee. From Aunt Julia and
she accepts our invitation, and will remain
three weeks. ] am so glad! but dear, dear (!
everything must be in prime order. She
will take NE to task if the least thing is
smis8.
BY husband laughed pleasantly as he
went out, He had only left the Office to
bring me the letter-so kind and thoughtful
OF him
Aunt julia was my father maiden sister,
and had been his housekeeper since my
mother death, now eleven years. She WAS
past forty, but still fine looking, and what
men call strong minded woman. She had
but few intimate friends; but those loved
her dearly, and i was one of that number,
and had been since the day she had taken me
on her lap, "a mOtherless girl of nine years, and
drawing me close to her bosom, whispered,
You have lost one of the best of mothers,
Nelly; but [ will try and ELL her place to
you, so far as [ am able
And she had kept her word. | had
brother and sister younger, and we all alike
shared her love and Kindness
My husband was a lawyer, several years
older than [, and when the engagement was
made known to her, she shook her head, and
said, Il am sorry your choice has fallen there.
| have nothing against Frank Worthington,
as man-indeed, esteem him highly-but
he is too old Tor you.
But am growing older every day, Aunt
Julia, replied laughing.
True, but you are mere child now, COM
pared with him-not fitted to become the
are already formed. You will have no dis
with him, until you will never have all opin-
ion Of your own
Her remarks troubled me little but my
father would hear nothing of it, and | had
now been married and in my pretty village
home three months, and thought myself just
the happicst wife in the world. And now
Aunt Julia, my almost mother, was coming
10 make her first visit And L would make
1t SO pleasant for her. Perhaps could thus
repay moiety of all she had done for me.
And hustled about from room to room. to
See that not straw, shred, mar or stain
could offend her eye Our one servant was
the best of Bridgets, and the kitchen was
her pride. Ihad no fears there. The guest
chamber was always in order, and its messy
carpet and light furniture were similar to
our own at home Still, / looked for some
thing to change. Even my own and hus-
band wardrobe were carefully examined,
see that no treacherous stitch, frayed edge,
OF missing button, should rise up in judg-
hent against me. My gloves were laid
smoothly in their box, collars between paper,
ana handacrchiets folded nicely, just as she
had taught me to arrange them.
When everything was done, whispered
70 myself, she viii look so pleased, and say,
What nice little housekeeper you are,
teiIy And when she came, as she did at
Me specihed time, it was even so, and was
Pieased as a child at her praise.
ihe second evening after her arrival, we
aad few friends to tea, and was proud to
nesf her converse with the gentlemen OF the
pat!y' She was thoroughly posted on every
ssun}ect introduced, and fancied that my
husband deferred to her more than to any
other lady present.
Inc next morning, as we sat alone In my, :,
.oon' she said, abruptly, ''Do you know you
1 spoIiing your husband, Nely?''
looked up in wonder and CONSERVATION,
"V surprised to speak
lou should not allow him to speak to
you as he does. -
i. Why, Aunt Julia he never spoke un-
andy to me in his life
IL, Very likely. But he treats you like a
'' and will seen lose all admiration for