The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-04-06

dare you come here after insulting Aunt
Bunnybones as you did 2"
Such an uncalled for thing" Said
Uncle Pratt.
so ungentlemanly, said Cousin Albert,
the exquisite Of the family.
Yes" said Bridget, appearing at the
door, " the undacentest thing to do to two
lone women-ah, the vagabond."
What have done 2" / asked in amaze
ment.
The present you sent u.s." said Bridget
"Oh you avil crayther, to do the like to a
dacent ould lady like your aunt-and she
and me both in fits and its legs sticking
up rs stiff, aud its horrid eyes wide open.''
"Do you mean my Christmas present ~
"Your Ohris-maS pres ent ?" shrieked my
once sent you white cravat of poor dear
MIR. Bunny bones, to make up into little
ones eyes, and gave you slate the day
you went to school-to insult me sop
stared at her in amazement.
" 1t was a very inexpensive present." I
said" the merest nothing; but l don't
see how it could be considered an insult.
Wasn't it fresh ~
fresn j. crled my aunt.
Fresh !" cried Bridget. "Saints above
us knows it was fresh enough"
Didn't it cook we'll 2" | said. 81 do
wish some one would explain. Couldn't
you eat it What is the matter 2"
Cook" cried Biddy. Are we Chinese
to be cooking the like of that p
" Put him out" said my aunt, "or will
myself"
- will go, aunt, said I, but this is the
most amazing thing l ever heard Of"
had no time to say anything more.
My aunt charged upon me with the long.
brass-handled shovel that always adorned
the parlor CRATE, and fled precipitately.
l could not in the least understand the af-
fair, and it made me very unhappy.
l went home at once. | was not in
condition to pay other calls, and went
to my own room as soon as | got there.
Five minutes after l heard tap at the
door and called "Come in," and in came
Smith, in full evening dress.
:" want to tell you something, Sprig-
gins" said Smith. "The greatest Joke.
I'm invited out to dine, and I've got the
invitation i'll the queerest way. | expect
I'm in for lark OF some kind. Christmas
eve, you know, had basket in the hall,
and told you it was present for my
cousin. He's fellow I've always hated
a snob, you know horrid little wretch
and he's lately married and gone to house
keeping. So got friend of mine, q med-
ical student, to kill Il cat for me- had it all
trussed up, put it i'll basket and sent it
to him with my card and compliments, as
a christmas present. Didn't know but he'd
want to tinght or something; but here is
an invitation to dinner-at six tonight.
Pm going; but suppose I'll have to pay
for it. He's cooked the cat or something.
He says p. S.-Thanks for your appropri-
ate present. Eth, what do you think looks
all proper and polite; but must be lark"
l looked at Smith moment, and then
understood all-aU
mo, Smith," said l, after pause.
" You sent him turkey, and he takes it
kindly of YOU"
"A turkey! no, tell you it was cat"
said Smith.
"Smith," said |, we changed baskets.
sent your cat to my respected aunt. I've
just been turned out of the house for it.
You sent my turkey to your cousin you're
invited to dinner i'll consequence
Jerusalem !" said Smith
He went to dinner to his cousins, how
ever, and his cousin being an influential
person, gave him fine place in some office
or other, and started him finely in the
world. The next day he did me the JUS
tice to call on my aunt and explain. She
was very gracious to him, aud sent me her
formal forgiveness, but she somehow could
not get over feeling as if had done it all
the same, and | needn't call again. Smith
she asked to call often, and he did. She
often declared that lie was the most pleas
ant young man she ever met, and one day,
being quite old enough to be his grand
mother, married him. After this she only
lived year, and dying left him sole heir
to her half million. | sometimes dine with
him, and it is Il joke of his to ask me
whether prefer turkey or cat, and it is
not pleasant joke to me, for it was his
cat that brought me my i'll fortune, and my
turkey had brought him his good luck.