Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-03
NO. 2o3.
AUNT MAGRUDERs MANAGEMENT.
By HARRIET PRESCOTT spOFFORD.


as she used to say. that was about all she
did have. She lived with her sister and
her sisters husband, who, finding their
own tussle with the world no easy matter,
were so much occupied with themselves
as to have very little attention to bestow
on Miss POnsonby's matters; and, conse-
quently, Miss Ponsonby, whose income
was the very smallest income that any
one ever had. found it difficult. not to say
impossible, to make both ends meet
Probably her sister and her brother-in-law
felt they did a great deal in giving Miss
Ponsonby home, though certainly in her
attention to the details of that home, her
care of parlor and plants and table and
children, Miss Ponsonby might have been
entitled to wages; but her sisters face
would have been study if anybody had
proposed such thing. So when shoes
were shabby, nobody dreamed of renew
ing them; and when the pipings Of her
dress were worn, it was understood that
Sarah "would manage somehow" and if
she couldn't, as sister Jane remarked in
her conjugal confidence, she would be
only the sooner induced to put an end to
her difficulties, by marrying old Mr.. Ellen
brod, and bringing that cool million into
thO Ouiy uilllOH tHab uho eVcr
came near enough to that family to be
seen. .5a.ets
Sometimes sister Jane gave Miss Pom
sonby spray of flowers or feather that
she was tired of, and at Christmas she gave
her a pocket-handkerchief, but for the
rest she had to turn and twist and dye and
make over. ''She has nothing else to do
with her time" said sister Jane, which
was just SO far true that when sister Jane.
always an invalid di graiza, except when
any pleasure was ON the wind, lay on her
sofa reading novel, Miss Ponsonby was
washing the ehildren's faces, or hearing
their lessons. OR composing their quar-
rels, or filling the vases, or attending to
the castors. Still Miss Ponsonby herself
said she had no end of time.
''No end of time ?' said little Aunt
Magruder, who had lately come for her
annual visit for month at the house,
visit in which she scrupuleusly paid her
board. my dear, that is just grazing the
edge of profanity-any body'd suppose
you never meant to die" -
81 never meant to say die" answered
Miss Ponsonby; and she tilted her old
aunt's face back by the chin to kiss the
mouth that had known no sweeter kisses
for many years.
You poor child. !" said Aunt Magru-
der, composing her cap, "if had for
tune you should have it. I|dont see
how it happens that all the Ponsonbys,
far and near, are-well--are poor. A man
who is prosperous has only to marry into
our family to have everything 60 by skies
and sevens."
II KNOW said Miss Ponsonby, quietly.
1T is because we are a set of idiots.'
Idiots !" said Aunt Magruder, bridling.
Yes. indeed. We ARE always maintain
ing our dignity instead Of letting our dig
nifty maintain u.s." she said boldly.
"Well, really, my dear, I don't see
that"
'I'll show you. could make a very
nice addition to my yearly two and three
pence if | could go out to the music schol-
ars could have, but sister Jane had hy-
steric at the idea of my being seen by the
neighbors to 60 out to regular occupa-
ton every morning. Then could earn
for myself at least a couple of handsome
new suits every year by doing embroidery
for Madame De Styles, but sister Jane was
very angry when l proposed it, and
said if such humility got wind it would
ruin James business. And when spoke
of taking in fine sewing she said could
only get it from our acquaintances and
friends, and she would rather go without
forever than have that; but the trouble is,
you see, it isn't sister Jane that has to 60
without" .4sN
'Not she ~
but she says tina, so long as James
gives me home, I've no right to turn his
house into workshop sister Jane talks
very plainly. I'm sure don't know what
to do. | only know there's one thing
won't do"
Pride is like rust; it eats up iron that
does nothing, our old pastor used to say.
remember he told me once that the idler
should blush at his uselessness in the world
and that the producer-that is, anybody
who works-is the only one who has
right to hold his head up; and shouldn't
be a bit surprised if he We're squirting at
the Ponsonby's pride"
We'll. | suppose it's in us, though want
and trial have left ony the inextinguish-
able spark in me. Isuppose it's Ponsonby
pride that makes me want new dress for
the Breuner christening party. for must
go but then the fact is, l can't 60 any
way if don't have one, for havn't any
thing literally SO nice as an alpaca, and
It's TO be dreSsy thing"
BLESS me, thought everybody had
best dress always
II haven't. Every dress have in the
world is by putting together the remnants
of couple of James after she has taken
every bit of wear out of them that she can
possibly get. My bes: would do for a
travelling dress possibly, nothing more.
And l never take journeys" svs6
but can't you borrow one of James fer
the occasion My child, I'm famous
manager
"Oh. Aunt Magruder. Can 1 borrow
the hangngs of the tabernacle |? Which
one would you borrow? The gray silk
she is going to wear herself. Do you sup
pose she is going to lend her sacred we'd
ding-dress, that she had dyed blue And
as for her brown satin, wouldn Z she saw il
was unsuitable for an unmarried person
though, goodness knows. I'm getting
along. And if l spoke of borrowing her
black silk, she would never have another
day'S peace with il for fear should sneaE