The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-04-06
M i s O ella @ O III 8.
Smiths Luck.

Christmas is the time for presents; that
is universally acknowledged thing. But
what to send maiden aunt, who if well
pleased with me, could some day make me
a rich man, l could not think. She was
an old lady, long past vanity, and had any
quantity of rings and pins and bracelets
that she never wore put away in boxes.
Besides, | could not afford to give jewelry
to any one. She never read anything but
the Bible, and all her relations had sent
her bibles until she could have barricaded
her little front garden with them and had
some left over. She delighted in only one
thing, and that was saving money and
she always spoke of useless gifts as rub.
blsh; but whose made her no gifts at
Christmas time, she banished from her half
yearly tea drinking, where only black tea, a
little toast, and some baked dried apples re-
called the guests and in which they came
only to be snubbed and to be tried.
What should give Aunt Bunnybones
AS l asked myself the question 4 man
brushed past me with a fine turkey swing
ing by its yellow legs from his hand.
81 know what I'll do" | said. "rll
give Aunt Bunnyboncs turkey. 1t will
save her the expense of Christmas dinner,
and as she is worth half million, that is
the greatest favor l could do her."
Accordingly l rushed to the poulterers
and purchased the brd-a fine, fat-breast.
ed creature, tender as a spring chicken,
and purchasing also new basket, carried
it home to my boarding house, intending
to leave it at the door of my aunt's house
after dinner. Meanwhile, put the basket
on hall chair, the contents carefully coy
cred with white paper. AS l did so,
Smith, fellow boarder, who roomed with
me, came in at the hall door with another
basket, almost similar to mine, in his hand.
White paper was also tucked over the con-
tents of his basket.
"Christmas presents suppose, Smith ?"
l said, nodding at him.
eyes," said he, in a queer way-you
never could tell whether Smith was Joking
or in earnest" yes, I've dearly beloved
cousin whom l desire to please Going to
give him something
But we knew it was first come first served
at Mrs. Furguson's, and we hurried down
stairs, first carefully remarkng where we
put our baskets at least did know.
We swallowed our dinner, such as it
was, and he got drought first and left the
table before l did. When l got up stairs
he was gone, basket and all, and somebody
had had the impudence to NEEDLE with nv
basket and set it on the floor. However,
the paper was undisturbed, and | hastily
scrubbed on one of my visiting cards
Compliments of the season; from yours
affectionately," and pinned it to the handle.
Then l hurried down the street, and
after the walk of half an hour or so, reach
ed my aunt's door, handed the basket to
the old woman who cooked and did the
general housework for the establishment,
remarked that hoped it would be tender,
and departed.
My present was off my mind went to
one place of amusement that evening and
tried to forget what Christmas Eve was to
bachelor miles from home, in strange
clearinghouse, and with small salary
that made everything but food and boots
an extravaganza and l returned rather
late.
AS | passed Smiths hall bed room, on
my way up to mine, heard him shouting
with laughter inside. What could have
happened to make him so merry, could
not think.
OF course my aunt did not send me her
thanks. did not expect it, But she al
ways remarked, just before New Years
day, that she should not provide refresh
ments, but if anybody cared to sue a poor
old woman they could call"
SO when New Years day came, dressed
myself in my best, and, at the proper hour
walked to my aunt's house and rang the
bell.
Old Bridget opened it-stared at me-
gave sort OF yell, and appeared to be
about to slam the door in my face; but |
walked past her, and straight into the par.
lor, where SAT my aunt in state, surrounded
by all the masculine members of the family
who had any hope of legacy.
The instant she saw me, the comparatively
bland expression she had assumed, changed
to one of fury; she arose from her seat, and
brandishing long black fan which she
always held on state occasions, screamed
at the top of her voice:
Its Peter Spriggins-put him out
how dared any one to let him in Oh, you
wretch oh, you brute Somebody beat
him-somebody put him out Oh oh
how dare he come here2"