Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-04-30
Ethel's Lesson.

4 Dear Aunt Kate

Dear Aunt Kate
Papa, mamma, and sister Hattie arc on
tomorrow for months tour and rambe
among the green hills Of Vermont, while re-
main willing captive in this old stone domi-
cile This afternoon, while musing In pros
pectivo over the loneliness and frequent attacks
Of Blues ! should Of necessity experience.
during their absence, bright idea struck me,
TO send for you. went directly to mamma,
stated my wishes, and, TO my great joy, she
babe me seize my quill and its necessary APP
purienances, and write for you at once. Please
come Immediately TO
Your hnrum scnrum niece,
EuEL."
Such were the contents of note address.
ed to, and received by, Miss Kate Barclay,
a spinster Of uncertain age, as she was wa
tering her plants, one pleasant morning -
We have said she was spinster, but Nith
that common torn we would not have YOU
associate the picture usually drawn Of that
-we were about to say prosecuted class Of
humanity, but rather sweet, pleasant face,
eyes that reminded one Of summer skies,
and voice which thrilled ones very soul
Kind, loving, social as she was, ike her
adored Master, she went about doing good
with a cheerful smile for the happy one,
tear for the sorrowing aud something more
substantial for the poor and needy; and as
a natural consequence, she was beloved by
all who had the good fortune to know her.
Though Ethel Lugrin, in addressing her
had called her aunt, still she was not any
relation to her or any Of the family
Ethel's grandfather had picked her up one
day when she was a mere child, crying in
the street; he had adopted her as he had
no daughter Of bis own, and ever since that
time Kate had remained with the old
couple though she had always retained her
own name.
On the receipt of Ethels hastily written
note, she resolved to go at once. She felt
that perhaps she might teach her some
good lessons during the months stay, for
she knew too well Ethel's temperament,
her frivolous nature and her habit Of max
ing game Of everything that came under
her notice, and with this decision we leave
her just now, reading Eihels letter to her
old foster mother.
"Oh you dear old aunt Kate. knew
you would come. Here's one, two, three,
four kisses for coming, and that speaks a
good deal | assure you, Auntie, for | hold
my kisses very sacred indeed How are
you, any way? And that dear old bundle
of goodness, my grandmother, how is she ?
Oh, won't we have a jolly time all to our
selves began to think myself com.
plete goose for not going with the rest, but
now am glad I did not, as shall have
an angel in disguise for my constant COM
panion. Ha ha :"
Aud thus Ethel ratified on, never once
stopping to think that she was keeping her
tired aunt standing in the hall, not even
allowing her a moment to reply to her
many questions; but when the delighted
girl did pause, completely out Of breath,
Miss Kate said sweetly, quic, smile play
ing on her lips
"lf you don't object, Ethel, should like
to have seat; am really fatigued.
Riding in the cars always tires me so much.
"Why to be sure. do really hope you
will pardon my want of etiquette, Auntie
but was SO glad to see you that forgot
all about such nuisances as fatigue. But
come right up, please, and | will try to
atone for my stupidity by being very grave
and good all through your visit, aud by
giving you some Of your favorite muffin:
for tea"
Miss Kate smiled again, and followed hel
into cosy room. where she soon changed
her dusty travelling dress for one more
comfortable. When they had returned to
the parlor, Ethel begged that she might be
excused, as she said TO herself "to see how
the Ace of Spades was progressing with tea,
and to tell 'Ked head to 90 to the Post
Office"
Miss Kate had heard Ethel use these
terms, together with many others of simi.
lar nature, during a previous visit; and
taking from her pocket memorandum
book, she wrote them at the top Of blank
page, knowing they would be followed by a
long list of others, and resolving, at the
proper time, to bring them forward as in
suuments in curing her Of that bad habit
of nicknaming.
Ethel soon returned from the kitchen
declaring that Ace had had grand sue.
cess with the mufiins, aud that her guest
would now come aud test their good quail.
ties As they passed to the dining room
Miss Kate innocently inquired il they had
discharged their old servants.
"Oh no, indeed" Ethel replied, with a
slight blush. "Candace is still with US
and Bill reigns king of the stables but
our cook is SO black that | call her the
ace of spades, for fun of course though
she don't like it at all but then you know
dearly love to tease one"
"0h, that indeed" was all tho reply her
aunt made, and Ethel continued her explain
alton. 81 suppose, auntie, you are puzzled
to understand who mean by Red. head.
1t is only Bill, the stable boy You re.
member what a very red head the poor fel.
low possesses, and in consequence | have
given him that very appropriate cognomen
though, like aunt Candace, he does not by
any means relish the compliment"
One afternoon as they were out walking
Ethel startled her aunt by suddenly ex.
claiming, "Oh, there comes Nosey"
who ?" inquired Miss Kate, in aston.
ishment.
"Why, that pale young man coming
down street Do you observe the marvel.
GUS length of his nose? The girls say that
in turning a corner his nasal organ makes
its appearance first lle is known as
Nosey' all over town"
"Is he doing business in the city?"
"Well, yes his business consists n train.
ing the young idea bow to shoot pre-
sumo he has a pretty hard crowd to deal
with. was amused the other day while
passiog knot Of boys to hear one ragged
urehin shout out to another, 'lullo, Jack
where do you go to school 2 while the other
replied,-'Oh 90 to Nosey; where do
you go2'"
ais the young man stranger in the city,
Ethel, or is this his native plaec2"
81 believe he came from Scotland, with
three other young men, about twelve months
ago"
"What burning shame to treat strang-
ers in such an insulting manner. From
that young mau'S appearance, Ethel, |
should judge him to be a gentleman ! am
sorry parents do not teach their children
better"
uNhv Auntin how snLar vou ara ahou,