The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-07-06
M i 8 q Q Ill a n @ O u 8.
ONE AUNT TOO MANY.

l tlonS. uaVc noSlS OF tHcnl III all places
have ever lived or visited | am one Of
eighteen children, my father was one o.
twenty-five, and my mother had twelve
sisters.
AS am closely occupied by business
and have a very imperlectly developed So
cial nature, it is not very strange that
know only some dozen or two of my near
est kith and kin.
| Perhaps | am more acquainted with my
grandmother on my mothers side than
with half of my other relatives, for often
visited the old lady when was II schoolboy,
and have met her occasionally since, which
is more than [ can say of many of the 9th
ers. So much for my family.
| 1t was on q dark, drcary, dull, damp,
| dirty, dismal day in November that l left
my Office to 90 home to dinner, at about 4
O'Clock, and walked up Broadway, specu-
lating on the possibility of collecting some
money from a slippery creditor.
AS meditated thus, | allowed my eyes
| to rest upon the pavement n short distance
| ahead. AS Ineared Canal street something
| which came within the range of my sight
| attracted little more attention than / had
bestowed upon the ilagstones.
The objcct-or rather objects-which
awokc me from my financial reverie were
two small CATERS, long, narrow, close-ft-
ting, high-heeled and daintily handled-if
one may use the expresson-by the wear
er Above their tops were plainly visible
pair of slim and elegantly turned ankles,
encased in smooth-titting white stockings
making altogether about as nice a "run-
ming gear" as ever carried pretty woman
up Broadway.
Mentally blessing the wet weather, al
lowed myself to take an observation on the
figure that surmounted the ankles and
CATERS, and to make various conjectures as
to what sort of face she might have-for
her back was toward me-
The figure was little, light, airy one,
with slim waist-all in blacksmith
little bonnet, like rose, just stuck on the
back of the head, allowing glimpse Of
the soft brown hair, too profuse and wavy
to be confined in such tiny head dress.
followed on behind the girl in black
for block or two, admring the pert,
piquant swing of her draperies, and the
brisk 'tap-tap, tap-tap" of the little gaiter
heels. The density of the crowd prevented
me from catching up with her, until | got
to Broom street, when smart shower
came on, and found my umbrella exceed
ingly convenient.
The young lady stopped under an avn
ing. As | approached had a good chance
to see the face l had specialized about. 1t
was regular oval face, with straight
nose, small mouth, and expressive brown
eyes. Not beautiful face-but just q
good, sensible, jolly little face, quite re-
Nnlr o. To ,,,,1, g %
about, or, perhaps, to kiss.
With that native gallantry that has al
ways distinguished me, l could do no less
than offer to hail an omnibus for the lady,
although knew perfectly we'll that there
wouldn't be vacant scat in one for some
time to come.
"Thank you, sir" said the nymph, ~
want Madison avenue and Forty second
street stage, but | am afraid l cannot find
room in one"
Therefore said, in polite, and, l flat
ter myself, highly respectable manner, that
if she would accept share of my umbrella,
| should be delighted, etc. Which offer,
after some little hesitation, she accepted,
and off we started.
The further we walked, and the more
talk we had, the better l liked her, so 10y
the time we arrived at 24th street discov-
cred that she was refined, educated, good.
natured, kindly girl, with no nonsense
about her.
In brief, liked her pretty well.
* 81 81 IS
Three days after this entered Miss Pau
lima Carlington's boudoir to make one of
those free-and- easy morning calls which
are only permitted to young men who are
supposed to be engaged" to the young
lady upon whom they call.
Miss Darlington was lounging in a fau-
teuil, dressed in a purple dressing-gown
with scarlet facings reading novel. She
looked languidy up as / entered.
"Ah, good morning. You are quite a
stranger"
"Since Friday" l said, advancing and
respectfully kissing her white iewclled
hand.
"And here it is Tuesday-nearly four
days since you have thought of me-"
"Pardon me, have thought of you in
cessantly."
ESPECIALLY on Saturday afternoon
| Now, sir, who was that lady in black, to
| whom you were so necessarily attentive in
the rain on Saturday. You are right in
blushing, sir; you have displeased me-
Who was she 2"
| ~ do not know-that is, did not then
at least not till she gave me her card"
| "You seem very much confused. ask
| ed you who she was"
| 'Her name is Constance Farley"
"Why didn't you say so at once"
"But, my dear Pauline, L"
| "No excuse, sir"
"But you are unjust"
sam 2"
81 think So"
"Then you had better abandon me, and
go to Miss Farley, or to some other crea-
ture."
l tried to pacify her all could, but she
grew worse and worse. She upbraided me
with being false to HEREWITH having tam
pered with her feelings, and worked her
self up into such state of indignation
that began to get a little vexed in turn.
The upshot Of the matter was that she
said was monster, and l said she was
too unreasonable to be needed, flounced
out of the room in u passion, and l coolly
took my hat and left, vowing inwardly
that would never return until she Sent
for me.
AS turned the corner, towards Madison
Square, who should l meet but Constance
Farley, smiling and pretty as ever-dress
ed with the same neatness and taste.
The contrast between the proud, intoler
ant woman l had just left, and this cheer
full, n-shining little being was so grea
that stopped and entered into converse
ton with her. She charmed me more ant
more, and when we parted received al
invitation to call upon her.
1t is, perhaps, needless to state that die
call, and had very pleasant time. Thel