The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-11-25
Aunt Malinda.


Lanes kitchen.
Just see here he added pointing to a
large rent in the knee Of his trousers, me
and Will Brown were playing tag and |
fell down and tore this
why don't you run home aud get
your mother to mend it, Johnny she
said, as she did her best to bring together
the several parts.
oh, cause mother amt to home, She
is gonc to the society for clothing desti-
tute children.
Destitute children ? said Mrs. Lane,
as she surveyed her nephew from head to
foot IF you don't come under that class
then never child did. Why, my dear
you are all rags and tatters,
Il know it aunt, responded the boy
moodily, but it amt my fault. Mother
says she has no time to mend clothes, and
if she did they would be just as bad the
next day, so what's the use Father said
last night that | looked like little hea.
then, and he almost wished | was for
mother would think | was worth looking
after little
Have you had your supper, Johnny I?
You look hungry
No., said the boy casting longing
look at generous piece of pumpkin pie
his aunt was cutting mother left some
cold victuals on the table for father and
me but
We'll, interrupted the good woman,
placing the pie upon plate and adding
to it couple of doughnuts she was fry.
ing and slice Of cheese, you take this
and mind you don't leave q bit of it.
John lost no time in obeying his aunt's
peremptory but by no means unpleasant
injunction, and the contents of the plate
rapidly disappeared before the energetic
assault.
Il declare, exclaimed Mrs. Lane, as
taking up the rolling pin she resumed hel
labor, III it isn't a shame for Nancy tc
neglect him; l am actually ashamed oi
him and his mother an active member oI
half dozen societies, AS for Brother
John, he's clean discouraged and don't
wonder at it. l don't believe he comes
to warm supper ouce week. It's my
belief that its a woman's business first tc
look after the comforts of her family and
then if she has time to do for others, well
and good. Charity ought to begin at
home, if she don't stay there
There's Aunt Nancy now just coming
into the gate, said her daughter Betsey
as, looking up from the apples she was
pairing, she chanced to glance out Of the
window.
Indignant as she was, it was not in
good natured Mrs. Lanes heart to refuse
a kindly greeting to her sister.iu.law who
was evidently too full of her concerns to
have noticed any lack of cordialitv had
there been any.
flow do you DO, Sister Lane? How
do you do Betsey p she said seating her.
self in the first chair she came to as il
quito exhausted though her keen bright
eyes looked as sharp as ever. Always
cooking, do declare All! spending SO
much time in caring for the poor perish.
ing body
Folks cant live without eating, re-
sponded Mrs. Lane, a little tartly at thi.
remark called to mind what she consider
ed her sisters remissness in the care o.
her family. Lcastways, have not lounC
out the other way Of living
You always did make nice doughnuts
Melinda, said Mrs. Shaw composed
helping herself to one.
These are as light as honey comb,
she added as she proceeded to dispose o
it with evident satisfaction. Il dom
know when l have made any kind of pas
try. Prof. Spare who lectured here las
winter said that they were very unhealthy
entirely destroying the digestive appara
tus.'
Yes, | know responded Mrs. Lam
dryly; husband invited him over to tel
one day, and l could perceive he had NJ
particular objection to my pies and cakes
remember thinking that if that was hi
ordinary way of eating should not lik
to be the ono to cook for him. And 10
folks say what they may, never will be
lieve that plain light pastry, eaten moder
ately every hurt anybody. let m
children have it, aud they arc as heart
aud robust set Of boys and girls as 20
can find anywhere as | am sure the
wouldn't be if they were fed on cold hal
cooked vituals given to them any way an
just as it happened
1T isn't always the noisest and frcshe!
children that are the healthiest,' sal
Mrs. Shaw, helping herself to anothe
doughnut. Now / think of it | am Gel
tain can see pimple on Betscy's nos
"a sure proof of over eating and job
Thomas is not nigh so strong as my OH
ny who is not more than year or SO th
oldest. But ! guess I'll do my erran
and be going. | called to tell you "
are going to have fair for the benefit
the oppressed Poles. I'm on the commi
tee of arrangement, and really hoI
sister Lane, that you will take hold an
do everything in your power to forwal
this noble aud praiseworthy object
No, thank you,' returned her sister-i
law i think l can fiud objects of chari
nearer than Poland
But there is society Of which "
are a member what think l should lii
to join,' she returned after a momen
thought-'the one for providing for al
clothing destitute and neglected children
Mrs. Shaw's countenance frightened
We shall be delighted, she exclaime
The initiation fec is only two dollars,t
gether with the weekly payment. eig
cents
i believe l paid the initiation
about one year ago, when it was first c
b, ganized. l did it checrlully, thou
what | then considered to be duties nei
! er home, prevented my doing more.
! will pay it over again. however, only
must have the privilege of bringing il
destitute child with me. 1 often SET
little hnv roaming about tho streets VIII