The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-04-02
MY AUNT PENELOPE.


years, Jerome and | and think We
had con.rived TO be about as happy as
married couples usually are.
Jerome wasn't rich, but had a good
salary in his unc!e's shipping Office, and
| had learned the lesson Of economy,
and contrivcd to get along nicely with
only one girl To be sure, Aunt Pene>
lope helped US; but, after all, Aunt
Penelope, though she was good soul,
and meant well, was more in the way
than otherwise.
We had gone to housekeeping on a
second floor in Camden. 1t was very
nice place, although Aun. Penelope de-
clarcd from the first that secoud floor
wasn't scutecl.
1T is more gcnteel than running in
debt for whole house that you can t
afford" said Jerome and SO | didn't
care. although some Of my school
friends, who had married rising young
lawyers and doctors, left off visiting une.
Aud you may be sure l didn't miss them
much after BABY came, like little blue,
eyed sunbeam, to fill my heart and
hands with those delicious cares that
are so sweet to a mothers soul.
Aunt Penelope was always thinking
of plans.
"My friend, Mrs. Outcrbridse, owns
the sweetest country place up the river,
said Aunt Penelope to me one day IN a
confidential and patronizing tone.
My friend, Mrs Outerbridge, is 60
ing to France, and has requested me
most politely to reside at Outerbrldee
Cottage during her absence, and look
after things a little. And when mem
toned that | was devoted to my niece
and her baby, she was kind enough to
say that it would make no difference II
YOU came there too-for five months.
from the lst of May to the lst of Octo'
Der. And what a splendid thing ii
would be for the baby to have hvc
months in the country
NV eyes glittered at the prospect
The first tooth had already begun t(
clcam like a pearl in his rosy gum, and
| dreaded the hot, sultry air Of summer
for little Bertie's sake.
Eyes" said l doubifully. "But Je
rome ."
ats only twenty-five minutes b!
train" said Aunt Penelope. "llc cal
come out every evening
The more Aunt Penelope and | dis
cussed this subject, the more feasible
and delightful it appeared to US. W.
could revcl 10 country milk, velvet
mown clawns, and fresh butter. Baby
pcrambulator could roll over gravele'
walks jerome could hear the night;n
gales sing of a summer twilight, an'
witch the moon, reflected in th
streams and Aunt Penelope and
could bc for the once fine ladies. at th'
head of a great establishment, for al
the Outerbridge servants were to remsl'
on uatil the return of their mistress
Veritably it seemed delightful idea
When Jerome came home | couI'
hardly wait to give him his first cup o
tea before | uufoldcd the story of Out
erbridgc Cottage, on the Hudson, Aun
Penelope, sitting sraclously b., iechn:
ike fairy godmother who had dom
it all with one whisk Of her enchanted
waai.
"Wcll ?" quoth l, restlcssly, when
had finished tho recital.
"Well ~ said Jerome, who by thi
time had the baby on his lap, and wa
tickling It's plump ribs.
"Of course we'll 90"
"Of course we won't said this in
practicable husband Of mine.
"Jeromc :"
Amy"
"But why not ~
"In the first place. because I've n
idea of your turning housekeeper ic
any old woman who wants to enjoy heI
self in France and foist off her house
hold cares on somebody else. In tn
, second place, | like TO make my ow
arran rements, instead Of having thel
: made for me ~
At this Aunt Penelope bridled a lii
tie and tossed her head.
lnnked with eyes full Of tears, ;