The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-05-30
THE FIRST AND THE LAST OF HER.

There were all enjoying the breeze that
swept through the wide parlors that summer
evening. it had been so no: OF late. The
month was NAV. the place was Philadelphia,
and-I am almost afraid to say tDis-it was
the Centennial time. But don't be alarmed,
nv reader; | am not going to describe the
great exposi ton, nor tell anything about 1t,
nor shall give any information concerning
rs of either this or the last century. only
intend to relate an incident that happened
10 take place then and there.
The people enjoying the breeze were
family by the name of Fenton. and consisted
of a father and mother, two grown-up
daughters, one grown-up son, and little
girl.
Mrs. Fenton had just been saying that she
supposed they would soon be overrun with
visitors coming to spend few days and see
the Centennial.
sWell, let them come" said Mr.. Fenton,
heartilyoas he turned his paper inside out.
81 don'tknow one that wouldn't be glad to
see."
"Nor l." returned Mrs. Fenton. "There's
sister Kate!-who could be more delightful
than she is?'
'Oh, Aunt Kate is perfectly splendidT'
chorused the young people.
"And there's Uncle Phil and Auat Emily"
said Mabel, the eldest girl.
"And cousin Joe and his wife," added
"And John and his family" put in Mr..
Fenton.
"Oh, if you go to counting. up, you'll
never get through" said Tom the son and
heir. but 1 say! haven't we any objec-
tionable connections at all? Isn't there some
old duffer who'll turn up just at the wrong
momentP'
"No, haven't any," said Mr.. Fenton.
MOO" said Mrs. FentOn, rubbing her
forehead thoughtfully. "StOpl l think /
remember one OF course-Cousin Jerushal
/ wonder didn't think before. But don't
know that she is Objectionable; the fact is, |
don't know anything about her. She's lived
way up in Vermont all her life. she is a
niece of grandfathers, at least she ought to
be. il she isn't married or dead. Her name
is Observation-Disclosures Hevington. l al
ways thought it such a pity to spoil such
fine name as Hevington with Jerusha. L
hope she won't come Pm sure she must be
perfectly awfulA
The two young ladies had been looking at
their mother in blank silence ever since
she had mentioned the unpleasant relation.
Tom had gone off in a fit of laughter, so
that Mr.. Fenton was the only one that
spoke:
make the best of it, and treat her as well as
we know how"
'Oh, of course" said Mrs. Fenton.
Tom here looked at his watch and started
up, exclaiming that he should be late, he
had an appointment, and bolted off. prom
Using to be home early. Then Mr.. Fenton
settled down for a nap; Mrs. Fenton buried
herself in Lorna Doone, and the girls yawred
over their japanese canvas, fearing a dull
evening.
The air gently fiuttered the lace curtains,
the mellow light shone down from the many
globed chandelier uDon the fresh white mat
ting. the linen draped furniture, the pic
Nrr Hofo fuo ha laH in
their pretty evening dresses, and the old
gentleman snoring away behind his newspa-
per; all was quiet as could be when a vio-
lent pull at the door bell made them all
nearly jump out of their skins.
who on earth is that?" asked Mr.. Fen
ton, bouncing up.
Mrs Fenton dropped her book and gave a
scared look in the hall.
Il suppose it's Mr.. Vanderpool," said
Mabel
"Oh, no, he never rings like that" said
Florence.
door by this time, and loud voice was
heard enquiring, docs Mr.. Fenton-Mr.
Samuel Fenton-live here"
Eyes, nam he does" old James answered
respectfully.
''Wa1, then, guess I'll walk right in-I
seen the folks through the winder," and, ap
parently before the old servant could stop
her, the owner of the voice did walk right
into" the parlor-a tall, strong featured
woman with iron gray hair, clad in a bril-
liantly lowered dress that a bullying hoop
skirt showed to advantage, and a shawl oil
vivid red and yellow plaid. A bonnet Of
the shape called poke was on her head, and
from it dangIed thick green veil. She
wore gray cotton gloves and one hand firm
ly grasped a lumpy carpet bag, the other &
fat umbrella. She looked comfortable and
common from tip to toe. She peered at the
group through her steel bowed spectacles
and tucking her umbrella under the carpet
bag arm, she extended her hand. "Wa'al
now, s'pose yer don't know me- I'm Jer
rusha Hevington-yer cousin, Jerusha Hev
ington."
The stricken family were dumb. Mr.. Fen
ton was the first TO recover. He took the
profered hand, shook it warmly. and led the
lady to chair, begging her to be seated; b,
could not say that she was welcome. but h,
tried to make her feel as if she were and sit
ting down beside her, asked her some friend
ly questions about the journey, and tn,
girls, q little conscience smitten, offered tS
take her things.
'Wssl, guess won't just now, thanl
yer: I've got TO go and see about my trunl
in minute: had it left in a grocery stor
just around the corner. The young man wa
awful pleasant when told him | was one o
your folks; he seems to set heap by you.
Good gracious!' thought Florence, will
ashudder. II wonder II she has been goinI
all through the city advertising her relation
fwsal Samuel" began Miss Jerusha
'yer've got two fine, likely gals; they't
oughter help their mar a sight in dom house
work and SIGH. lt must take a poweru
heap o. work to keepa them fussin's clear,