Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-05-06
The Piano-Tuner's Story.

y
fools, and that is the best [ can find to
say about you' said aunt George.
Her name was Miss Georgiana An
derson, but the sweet abreviation
Georgia was never used to her; as soon
might one think of venturing on unfa-
miliarities with bishop! Everybody
called her "Aunt George p and, as she
walked with a measured, heavy tread
like grenadier, the name didn't seem
at all inappropriate.
She was Lizzie's aunt George-not
mine. And she had brought Lizzie up,
in her queer downright fashion, never
giving her a kiss or a caress, or an en-
dearing word, yet withal being kind to
her after her own way.
| wish | could describe Lizzie Ander-
son to you as she really was. A little
dimpled, blue eyed creature with her long
shady lashes, and shy way of looking
at you, like a child; girl whose voice
was low and fute-sweet, and who moved
about quietly, noiselessly, like sweet
spring wind, rustling the flowers
And only eig ghteen, too that was what
aggravated aunt George most of all.
81 wasn't married until l was five and
thirty p said aunt George; ''but you
young people can't be contented with
out rushing headlong iuto the vortex. It
would be different if you were rich but
dear me p and she rubbed her nose per-
plexedly, "Joe is nothing on earth but a
poor piano tuner, and you haven't one
solitary penny of your own, Lizzie -
'We shall be very economical. aunt
George" Lizzie answered, cheerfully.
'And you'll have to be- said the old
lady grimly.
1t is my intention to be perfectly frank
with the reader. | shall not disguise
from him the fact that | had, in our
confidential talks, asked Lizzie if she
thought aunt George would do anything
for us in pecuniary way.
'Oh, dear, no'' Lizzie had answered,
shaking her brown curls in the most de-
cided fashion. ''She always told me nev-
er to expect anything from her; and be-
sides that, Joe, she has really nothing
to give me-"
And there was no getting over these
two important facts taken either sepa-
rately or together.
There is one comfort, Lizzie" said
stoutly; ''we are young and strong and
brave hearted, and we'll not ask aid
of anybody"
''Of course we won't. Joe,' said Liz
zie, her blue eyes sparkling like dew
wet violets at sunrise
| did wish, once or twice, that my
business had been something more lu-
crative than piano tuning but it was
what | had been brought up to, and
had pretty good run of custom on the
whole and, as Lizzie said, ga little will
60 long way when you are careful oil
it."
you'll see, Joe," she added blithely
''that shall make a splendid house
keeper %
We had just fifty pounds to furnish
our little second floor with /; but l assure
you our two rooms looked delightfully."-
cosey, with the red and green carpet
and neat stained furniture. Lizzie said
it looked exactly like dolls house, and
perhaps she was not far wrong.
"Such a pair of fools!" reiterated aunt
George in prophetic mood ''but there
is one comforting thought-it won't las
long
"Why shouldn't it aunt George p
asked Lizzie, coloring and smiling II
that pretty way of hers.
"Humph " said aunt George. Il
you come to that, why don't the sunshin,
last forever?''
$50 it might, if there were no clouds,
she answered softly.
.'Ah, child" said aunt George, sYo,
are young now, SO enjoy it as much a
you can. We can't be young twice over
more's the pity !"
So we were married quietly as becom'
our humble estate and moderate expecta
tions, and went to spend few days i
the country, where [ had sister livin
on breezy, old fashioned farm. D
you think Lizzie and | will ever forge
those days, even if we should live to b
as old as Methuselah?
1t was a bright November evenin
when we came to the doll house
where the red merino draperies glove
warmly in the ruddy shine of the fir,
and the tea kettle merrily sang out il
homely way of welcome.
Lizzie said | softly, ''are you gla
to come home p
And she answered, more with ht
eyes than with her lips, .Oh, so glad
for We are going to be very happy her
| know it just as well as if | could ST
all the years stretched out before me c
a map.
My little prophet of good
, Our first year was very blissful, esp
: cially after the baby came to make OIL
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