Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-09-26
NOT FOND or DRESS.

Many years ago, in quiet town,
where | often had occasion to visit, l
meta quaint specimen Of humanity,
in the form of an uncle's second wife
When | became old enough to notice
her peculiarities, was curious enough
to question my mother on the subject.
She wore plain dresses, a long, straight
apron, and no collar. Her hair was
drawn as plainly as possible She had
dark skin, coarse features, and | thought
her a very disagreeable person; for she
was constantly scolding the children.
My curiosity was more than usually
excited after one syent IN particular,
and noticed that she
used remarkably good language which
to me did not seem to correspond with
her general appearance. When I az
rived home, / asked my mother what
kind of woman Aunt Anna was.
why 7" said she.
Why, she puzzles me 50. She
dresses so ridiculous and yet she seems
to know how to be lady"
Eyes, she does" said my mother.
"But | do not think that she takes the
right course"
''Why what is the matter with her ?"
said l.
She has never told her history. I
have heard that she was once q teacher
and that now she has chest of fine
clothes but away which She never
uses.
why, mother! then | know she has
had some great trouble, and if | was
not afraid of her, l would ask her to
tell me her history"
hardly think she would tell you,
for she IS very reticent."
To every one, mother, except
Cousin Mary. She seems to like her
better than anyone else; now don't you
believe that if Mary and / should tease
her that she would tell US about her
self"
Perhaps she would. l think she
likes you both; | have heard her say
so, said mother.
Sometime, then, when Mary and
are both there, ann going to get Mary
% ask her; it will dono harm will it,
mother
"No, | think not. When your
uucle's wife died, lie was left with four
small children, and his father and
lIlOlil1I NNIC VI lllGC OlOl. AAS llG lldu IllG
charge of them and the farm, he felt
self under the necessity ofsuppIying her
place Us soon as possible. He visited
friends IN n distant town, and while
there engaged himself to Il lady of
superior education it was said, and in
six months from the time his wife died,
lie was married. Your grandmother
did not like her at first; she
thought her proud. But she seemed to
treat her kindly, and she get over her
dislike in 4 measure, yet she was never
very well pleased with her. [ have
often been there and found her crying;
and when | asked her the trouble, she
only said, Anna has such work with
the Children and she was so ignorant
about house-wOrk, things were in a con-
slant broil all the time"
At the time our story commences
amt had been there several years, and
had three children of her own. Most
of uncle's children were away, Her
children were saucy, Jmruly, and neg
lccted | thought.
The washing for the family was gen
orally done by herself: but the clothes,
when dry, were brought in and piled,
without folding or ironing, and there
lay until needed for use.
She scolded most of the time, except
when the children were asleep; then she
would seat herself by the fireplace, her
pipe in her mouth, her elbows upon her
knees, and IN this position she appear
ed to be thinking
| asked her one evening what made
her take so much tea, and She answered,
Its all the comfort have"
[ told her l should think that was
poor comfort.
"Oh, well, she said, elf you knew
YOU would not wonder"
Uncle, | noticed, had very little to
say. ] thought him the most unsocial
man [ ever met with. Perhaps he was
naturally so; but | scarcely dared to
speak to him.
The next time that l visited my
grandparents, | found my cousin Mary
there, and asked her if she had ever
heard Aunt Annals history.
NO" she said: "but l have been
ready this long time to ask her to tell
me-"
"Well, Mary, after she gets the chill
drcn off to bed tonight, let's so in and
ask her. l have noticed she is more
willing to talk at such times"
"Well, we will, said Mary.
Aunt had had an unusually hard
days work, and she was cross, but we
determined to try her. We waited I'M
til all was still, then went and seated
ourselves in the kitchen, determined to
win her favor if possible; though our
hearts beat in doubt and fear.
At last Mary ventured to say "Aunty
believe you have had trouble some
time in Your life, haven't your
q Yes. Is that any of your business"
That was not very encouraging 10 two
impatient girls, We thought; but we
didn't like to give up so, and | said,
Aunt, | am sorry you are SO tired; |
wanted YOU 10 tell us a story"
a story what do l care for stories?
/ want to rest"
"Well, will you tell us one tomorrow
night, if we will help you about your
work. 50 that you will not be tlred?'
said Mary.
"Whv, yes, if l can find one that will
suit YOU" said she.
"Wen, you can, for we only want the
story of your own life" said |.
"That is the hardest story of all 10
tell; but in hopes that it may do you
girls some good, perhaps may consent
to do so. You will be the first ones who
have ever heard me allude to it."
We went into the kitchen the next
morning, and helped her to bake, and
took the clothes from the drawers and