Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-03-15
The First and the Last Of Her.


that summer evening, it had been so
hot of late. The month was May,
and the place was Philadelphia, and
am almost afraid to say this-it was
the Centennial time. But don't be
alarmed, my reader l am not going
to describe the Great Exposition, nor
tell anything about it, nor shall give
any information concern ing '76 of
either this or the last century. l only
intend to relate an incident that hap
pened to 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, aud little girl.
Mrs. Fenton had just been saying
that she supposed that they would be
over-run with visitors coming to spend
q few days and see the Centennial.
swell, let them comet" said Mr..
Fenton, heartily, IS he turned his pa
per inside out. 81 don't know one
that | wouldn't be glad to see."
"Nor }" returned Mrs Fenton."I
am always 80 thankful that we needn't
be ashamed of any of our relations.
There's sister Kate who could be
more delightful than she is?"
"Oh, Aunt Kate is perfectly splen-
did," chorused the young people,"
"And there's Uncle Phil and Aunt
Emily" said Mabel, the eldest girl.
"And Cousin Joe aud his wife," ad-
ded Florence, the second daughter.
"And John and his family" put in
Mr.. Fenton.
ooh! if yon go to count up you'll
never get it through" said Tom, the
son and heir. But | say! haven,
we any Objectionable connections a,
all q? Isn't there some old duffer who
will turn up just at the wrong mo.
ment ?"
mo, haven't any," said Mr.. Fen
ton.
No o." said Mrs. Fenton, rubbing
her forehead thoughtfally. "Stop ]
think remember one. OF course
Cousin JerushIt wonder / didn't
before. But don't knoD that she is
o jsctlonabie; the fact ia, | don'i
know anything about her. She's lived
way up ia Vermont all her life. She
Is niece of grandfather 8, and is All
old maid at leas: she ought to be il
she isn't married or dead. Her name
is Observation-Disclosures Hevington, !
always thought it such pity to spoil
such fine name as Hevington with
Jerusha. | hope she won't come I'm
sure she must be perfectly awful! :"
The two young ladies had been
looking at their mother in blank ST.
lence ever since she had mentioned
this unpleasant relation; Tom had
gone off in fit OF laughter 80 that
Mr. Fenton was the only one who
spoke:
"Well, il she comes, all we can dc
is to mske the best of it, and treat hel
"a well az we know how"
'Oh. Of course, said Mrs. Fenton.
Tom here looked at his watch, anc
started up, exclaiming that he should
be late, no had an appointment, anC
bolted off, promising to be home early
Then Mr. Fenton settled down for
nap; Mrs. Fenton buried herself IL
Lorna Doone; and the girls yawneC
over their Japanese canvas, fearing {
dull evening.
The air gently fluttered the lace
curtains. the mellow light shown
down from the many. globed chandel
Ter upon the fresh mating the line
draped furniture, the pictures anG
staLuettes, the three ladies in thei1
pretty evening dresses, and the ole
gentleman snoring away behind BIZ
newspaper all was as quiet as coult
be, when 9 violent peal at the door
bell made them all nearly jump out o
their skins.
"Who on earth is that 2' ask et
Mr. Fenton, bouscing up.
Mrs. Fenton dropped her bool
and gave a scared look into the hall
81 suppose it's Mr.. Vanderpool,
said Mabel.
"Oh no, he nerer rings like that,
said Florence.
Their old coIored waiter ha
opened the door by this time, and
loud voice was heard inquirirg, "Doe
Mr.. Fenton-- Mr.. Samuel Fenton -
live here ?"
"Yss, ma'am, he does" old JAIME
answered respectfully.
"WA'al, then, / guess I'll wal
right i'll seen the folks through th
winder )" and apparently before thu
old servant could stop her, the own
or of the voice did "wslk right into
the parlor a tall, strong-feature
woman with iron. gray hair. Sh
peered at the group through he
steel-bowed spectscles, and tuckin
her umbrella under the carpet bs
arm, she extended her band: Wa'a
now, s'pose yer don't know M. In
Jerusha Heviagton-yer cousin Jer
psha Hevington
The stricken family were dumb
Mr.. Fenton was the first to recover
Hs took the proffered hand, shook
warmly, and led the lady to chair
begging her to be seated: he coul
not say that shs was welcome, bu
tried to make her feel as if she ~er,
Mr.. Fenton then came forward, an
sitting down beside her, asked som
friendly questions sbont the journey
and the girls, little consciepc
smitten offered to take her things.
'Ws'al, 1 guess won't jest now
thank yer = Eve got to go and sc
about my trunk in minute; | ha
it left in grocery store jest aroun
the corner The young msn VS.
awful pleasant when | told him VS.
one of your folks-be seems to set
heap by you
"Good graciou,!"lhought Florenc
with o shudder II wonder if sh
has been going all through the cit
advertising her relationship TO US p
"Wa'al, Samuel" began Miss Jel
ushs, 'Yer've got two fine likei
gals F; they'd oughter help their ma
Q sight 10 doing homework an