Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-08
AMT JEMIMA'S EAR.TRUMPET.

stock Of Yourself Just for foolish within,
I suppose you must; but don't pronose
10 make such fool of myself" and the
speaker curled her lip scornfully. "How
will YOU feel when you have to shout an
explanation of everything you see through
that horrible old ear-trumpet?"
"Oh, Maud, don't talk so. Aunt Je-
NINA is good and kind, if she is old
fashioned, and / could never forgive my
self if should treat her unkindly. She
has no daughters to love her, and we will
lose nothing by giving her little of the
love she so much Graves"
oDo as you please. | only hope for
your sake that you won't meet any of the
Mortimers, and, thank goodness! Harry
Morton is still in Europe, so you will not
meet him"
az do not think that will lose the re-
spect of any intelligent person by show
ing a little kindness to a dear, good, old,
lady-like auntie, even if her dress is not Of
as late style and as costly material as
Madam Grundy's."
At this moment the subject Of this
dialogue entered the room, and Bessie
arose TO accompany her on her shopping
tour. They were an oddly-assorted pair:
the tall, straight, military looking old
lady, in her homespun gown, her Bay
State shawl, thick leather shoes and blue
warn mittens; and the dainty little lady,
sweet as a rosebud, in her crimson cash
mere dress and wraps of velvet and fur
Aunt Jemima was maiden aunt OF
Mr.. Goodwin, Bessie's father, and had
come to the city of G.. to visit her nephew
and do her yearly shopping-for she lived
hundred miles away, up among the Yer
mont hills, and only visited the city once
a year Mr.. G. and Bessie always well
coined her warmly and treated her kindly
but Mrs. G. and Maud-the eldest daugh-
ter-vere coldly polite, and only endured
the visits of the old lady from a hope that
they might be remembered in her will,
for she possessed snug little farm and a
productive dairy, and rumOr said that the
money made by the sale OF her butter and
cheese was stored up in the village bank
until it had come to goodly sum.
While we have been telling you all this
Aunt Jemima and Bessie have reached a
fashionable dry goods store on Main street,
and after taking survey OF the "gim-
cracksn-as she is pleased to call them
in the window the old lady followed Bes.
sic into the store. A polite clerk came
forward and smilingly inquired what they
wished 10 look at.
Greyson," said Bessie; but auntie here
wishes to make some purchases"
Yes" said Aunt Jemima, "I've come
all the way from the Green Mountains, and,
as don't Git to come every day, / calcu-
late to buy right smart chance of goods.
If you do well by me shouldn't wonder
if / buy goods to the amount OF twenty
five dollars. ! guess you don't sell such a
bill Of goods as that every day, young man. T"
And then she began the selection of the
goods, two or three pieces OF prints for
her next summers dresses, some chintZ
for curtains, pair of table-linens and a
dozen napkins. Not that they are of any
use" she explained, when she called for
the napkins; "but the folks up where
live have got to trying to ape the city folks,
and might as we'll be like the rest"
"Now what next!" said the clerk, after
all these articles were selected.
II want piece of your best black silk
to make new sleeves in my silk gown.
I've had that gown ever since brother
Nathan's youngest child was born, and
that will be eighteen years come next har-
vest. 1t was an amaZin' good piece. i
think this will match it," selecting the
best piece on the counter. "Let me have
two yards of this and now count ii up and
let me see how much / owe you"
| will send the package around to Mr..
Goldwin's, and ii will be there as soon as
you will, said the clerk.
La, no; III just take it under my arm
I've carried weightier load than that
many day" And then she insisted on
shaking hands with Mr.. Greyson. She
felt kinder acquainted with him, and he
was proper-mannered young man" As
she passed out of the store she remarked
to Bessie that she must call on Mr.. Ohm
stead's family. II promised never 10
come to the city without going to see them
and don't know but may stop for din
ner--if you are not in hurry TO get home
wish you would stop with me, for
could never find my way back again ifyor
were TO leave me-"
oh, stop, by all means, auntic. l shall
be delighted to see Mrs. Olmstead, and
have not been there for so long. She Ii
such dear, good woman, always so cheer
full and happy, that it does me good TO sec
her.
Mr.. and Mrs. Olmstead were both a
home, and evinced as much pleasure il
meeting Aunt Jemima as If she had beer