Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-12
Gales and Sketthes.
AUNT ROXY'S WILL.
How the Course of True Love Did Once Run Smooth
at Last.

The Widow Champion had come over to
take tea with Aunt Roxy, and the twain
were sitting in cheerful state before the
sitting groom fire. Mrs. Champion had on
her very best black silk apron, and she
wore, moreover, very extraordinary cap,
which always came in box, and went in
a box, and during the interegnum tow
cred sublimely upon Mrs, Champions
head, and was tied in two-bow knot. be-
meath Mrs. Champions double chin
well, Cousin Eunice," began Aunt
Roxy, as she settled her spectacles for n
long talk. "is there any news in tine neigh
borhood P"
"Well, not anything partickelar as
know Of" replied the widow, in a consci-
entious tone, all the time sticking her nee
die into the goose-quill sheath which re-
posed on her right side. Conversation be-
tween these two sped briskly enough
when once started. But as Aunt Roxy
maintained that she was too sensible to
waste her breath on commonplaces of the
weather, there were usually few silences
to begin with. Presently she inquired:
Its time o general health in the
town, ism. it ?"
"Well, it is, and then again it isn't, as
you may say. Jane Minis children was
took down with the measles last week,
and then, Uncle Zimri amt but Just alive
'Tain't no ways likely that he'll hold out
much longer"
"Well, for my part" up spoke Aunt
Roxy, lin convinced that man that uses
as much tobacco as Uncle Zimri, can't ex-
pect to live out half his days
"He's eighty years old" replied the wild
ow, IAN eff that amt livin' out half a
mans days, don't know what you would
call doin' it,
"Well, he may be an exception, then j,
but he always was hand to smoke and
chew said Aunt Roxy, with some spirit
80 yes, mebby he was; but then, Rox-
anna, we've all got our faults. an will
say for Uncle Zimri at he's alias Just been
the kindest neighbor't you can find any
where, answered the good woman. sooth-
ingly.
Come, now, Eunice Champion you
need not talk that ways if you was put
ting on poultise! You allus would have
a word for the very evil one himself, | act
ually believe. There"
The truth was, that scarcely greater
contrast could be found than these two
women, lifelong friends as they were.
Mrs. Champion, with her immense, and
well-nigh shapeless body, her round, soft
face, and smooth, silvery hair, was one to
whom children clung, and about whom
even dumb creatures crowded. From the
cat, who lay on the rug, to the dying soul,
whose last look to earth was into Ora ANA
Champions loving eyes, every human be-
ing turned to her for sympathy; while
Aunt Roxy, though her heart was common
ly held to be in the right place, was still,
on account of her tongue. terror to evil
doers, and not always favorite to those
who did well.
They're goin' to settle Mr.. Fisher. the
new minister, s'pose you know" remark
ed the guest, after pause.
II thought like enough. Squire Gibson
he came round here with the subscription
paper t'other day, trying to make me put
down fifty dollars instead of twenty-five,
towards the salary. An / says to him,
says |, Il don't want to be mean, but Old
Parson Taylor lived all his days, an
brought up his family, an sent his boys
through college, an all on six hundred
dollars An now here comes this young
sprig O. divinity. an 10 an behold, he's
got to have twelve hundred. An not Il
wife has he got, neither!' ,"
money amt worth what it used to be in
Parson Taylor's time"
Lawful heart! S if didn't know that.
How every boughten thing costs. An
amt any richer now than was then. No :.
if they are going to pamper this young
man, they've got to do it out of some body's
pocket beside forlorn old creetur like
me, now tell you. A lonely woman, an
co,,1 earth 10 haY "
cried Aunt Roxy.
for talk. But don't we all know that you've
got more money at int'rest n any man in
town, besides your great tarm?"
$50 much the worse taxes!" groaned
the lone woman. but, bout this new
minister. hain't got nothing against him.
He's all well 'nough s fur I've seen, though
must say I've had my doubts bout his or
thodoxy. don't want to find fault-ev-
erybody knows that amt my disposition
but will sayt I've given close attention
fur six Saba days runnin', an l can't, fur
the life of me, tell what his views be on
total depravity. or lection"
Aunt Roxy's face assumed its most fear
full and portentous expression as she an
bounced this frightful conclusion.
80, but, Cousin Roxy, you'd ought'er a
heerd him talk to Uncle Zimr t'other day .
l tell you want nothing but jest fairly
beautiful :"
Dear. well, nothin's eastern talkin!"
"But, everybody agrees that he's the
kindest, gentlest, patientest sort of
man.
What's kindness without savin' faith?
o, tell you I'm afraid, I'm drefful afraid,
that man amt sound"
Dear. yes. but who wants man all
knots ?"
Very well, but we can't have heresy
preached here in this Eastmont pulpit.
and we're commanded to stand firm in the
faith once delivered"
lone, two, three" counted Mrs. Cham
pion. Counting her stitches was the good
woman's invariable resource, when she
wished to put bride on her tongue.
"An' then, Eunice. they do say-t amt
my way to retail gossip; hope I'm above
it, but they do says Mr.. Fisher calls at
Squire Gibson's oftener than minister'd
ought to-"
Miss Roxy lowered her voice to hoarse
whisper. though there was no living Great
ure save the cat, to hear, and her nearest
It'll L,lf ,Y