Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-24
4 NEWSPAPER FILE.

4 NE W SI Al EN- TlLE.
Ii was two days after Aunt Priscillas
funeral and Sue and were sitting to-
rether by the kitchen fire, with that
hush over our spirits still which follows
a death and burial All the afternoon
we had been busy i'll getting the house
to rights, not meddling with the things
which had been hers, and We're now
ours, but by dint of open windows, sun
shine, and furniture busted and rear
ranged, trying to restore TO the rooms
that familiar look which they had lost
during these weeks of anxiety and
trouble A few days more, and we must
face a future which was full of terrors.
Meanwhile custom as well as inclination
accorded IL brief respite in which to
think of her who was gone, and Of each
other, with the clinging fondness of those
whose lives. never before parted, were
about to separate.
Sue sat on Il low stool, her head
against the chimney jamb. 1t was the
chimney of Aunt Priscilla's youth; she
never would alter it-one of the wide
od-fashloned kind, with pot-hooks, and
blazing logs, and a bake-oven at one
side. The soot-backened bricks and
faint red glow made background for
my sisters head, with its great twist of
fair hair, and lily-like slender throat
Sue is very pretty, prettier than any
body | ever saw. | recollected Il pic
turo as | looked at hcr--a picture Of
Cinderella sitting in just such an atti-
tude by the chimney-side. She was
equally picturesque ut that moment; so
far as looks go, equally worthy of a
prince; but, alas. no fairy godmother
was likely to emerge from the apple
room for her benefit. Aunt Pris, who
in small way hid enacted that part to-
ward us, was gone and her big rocking
chair, which we had no heart to sit in,
swung empty i'll its accustomed place
type of a like emptiness which we were
conscious of in other things, and would
feel for long time to come.
Neither of us spoke for while We
were tired and spiritless, and John Slade
was coming presently to talk over things
50 we saved our words.
Dr. Slade-John-wa Sues lover
Their poor little engagement had been
formed two years ago. How many
years it was likely to last, nobody could
guess; but they held on to it bravely
and were content to wait. Pretty soon,
as we sat waiting his step sounded with
out on the gravel, and with little tap
courteous but unnecessary, for the
door was never locked-hc entered, gave
sue a gentle kiss, me another, and sat
down between us in aunty's rocking
chair. 1t was comfort to have him
Io that, The house seemed less forlon
Mt once
Well, children, how has the day
gomez he asked.
Pretty we'll" replied Sue. We
nave been busy, and are tired tonight,
think. I'm glad YOU are come, John
dear, We were getting lonely and dis
NAL, Cree and t.
Lucreua is my name; but Sue and
Aunt Priscilla always called me "Crec."
John adjusted a stick on the embers,
and with one daring poke sent a tongue
"i bright flame upward before he an
>Wcrcd. Then he took Sues hand III
Ms broad palm, and pattlng 1t gently,
"'''' NOW lGb = ldlh ON u illdttNln' " Z
ought to decide what we are to do, we
three"
That three was very comforting to
ne, but John always is comfort. He
was made So Aunt Pris said, And
ne certainly carries out the purpose OF
his creation.
Did your aunt leave any will?' he
went on.
Only this and | brought from be
'"een the leaves of the big Bible, where
We had found it, half sheet of note
paper, on which dear aunty had stated,
IN her own simple form, that she left all
she had to be equally divided between
Aer nieces, Susan and Lucretia PendeX-
,gr. Squire Packard's name and Sarah
BRACKETS. our old washer-woman, We're
written below as witnesses.
Very well, said John That's good
IN law | fancy; or if not, YOU are the
nearest relations, and its yours anyway.
what property did your aunt own be-
>idcS this house,
She had an annuity of two hundred
ana fifty a year; and fifty dollars more
nom some turnpike stock. That's all,
,,Aeept the house and furniture, and
mere i mortgage of three hundred