The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-12-13
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AUNT POLLY.

"Oh, Harry, you wont forget to go to
the depot to meet Aunt Polly" said Alice
Vane, as she followed her brother-in-law
to the front door steps, and stood, with
the wind blowing her bright hair from
her face, as pretty rosy-cheeked, matron
as one would wish to see.
"No, I'll not forget; but, Alice, how am
to know the old ladyl Does she wear
snuf-color or black?''
"Oh, neither, Harry; big purple cape
and bonnet to match, and she always car
ries O satchel and walks with q gold
headed cane. There, you surely can not
miss her." and Alice Vane's eyes looked
more roguish than ever as she quickly ran
into the house.
"Angels and ministers of grace defend
u.s." thought Harry Vane, as he walked
down the street. "Whatever possessed
Alice to send me to meet this old woman?
Well, it can't be helped suppose, and i
must make the best of it"
"Soon, in spite of the hustle of the city
about him, his thoughts wandered to Ma
rian Lee, the pretty, dimpled-cheeked
country girl whom he had been calling
upon for year, and who yet had not
said the magic word "yes" to his proposal
Why she hesitated, Harry did not know;
yet he resolved to get an answer on his
next visit, or never.
When he reached the depot the train
had Just glided in like long fire-throated
serpent. Harry hastencd on to the plat
form, and looked around for Aunt Polly.
There she was, her bent figure enyeloped
in long purple cape, and hugh bonnet
to match, in which her face was complete
ly hidden; her hands were covered with
gray cotton gloves, brown veil covered
her face, while large umbrella, carried
under the arm, threatened fhe eyes of
whomsoever was rash enough to crowd
her movements in the rear. Harry Vane
then stepped forward chivalrously.
"Mrs. Vane sent me to meet you" he
said. "Allow me to assist you" And he
attempted to take her bandDox and
satchel
mo you don't. neither" was the shrill
reply. II don't trust strangers, and can
carry my own luggage; how do I know
but you're pickpocketi"
"But 1 assure you, madam, that am
moi" said Vane, trying his best not to
laugh. Il am the brother-in-law of your
niece, Alice, and -
."Oh, you be, chg interrupted Aunt
Polly 5Yeu,re Harry, I suppose. I've
often heard niece Ally speak of Harry;
you can carry this box, if you like. Be
keerful of ii, for its got my best bonnet
in it; and here's paper of YARDS I've
brought along, if Allyls children should
be ailin'-and I can carry the rest
aHalloo, VaneI" shouted New York
exquisite, as he caught sight of Harry.
aGallanting Mrs. Noah, I verify believe,
Can't YOU find better business than that?''
HWhat be that feller laughing att" de-
rnanded Aunt Polly. II guess I'm as
good as he is, and maybe little better,
# amt dressed in the height of fashion"
sNever mind, he is not worth noticing" !"
said Vane, pleasantly. Here is the car
riage. Be careful about the steps"
They were at last seated. The carriage
contained other occupants, and Harry en-
dured. without flinching, the scornful
glances cast at his companion. Aunt
Polly proved very sociable, and enter
| tanned him with full account of her
affairs, the trouble she had to get on the
right train, and an impudent fellow In
the cars who wanted her ticket; the loss
of paper Of ginger-cake she had brought
for lunch, and various troubles, which
attracted the attention of their fellow
passengers.
At last Harry deposited Aunt Polly al
Alice Vane's door with feeling of salts.
| faction. The numerous packages and
bundles being counted over twice, and
none missing, Aunt Polly thanked Vane
heartily for his kindness, and said she
would make some herb tea when hi
needed it.
At that moment Alice came to thu
door, and clasping her ancient relative II
her arms. she walked with her into thu
house with such comical look that Har
nv was at loss what to think of it, ano
| finally came to the conclusion that Aun
Polly was something valuable.
aHarry," called out Mrs. Vane, the next
day, as he passed the house, "please step
in . minute. Aunt Polly wishes to see
you"
.Bother Aunt Pollym thought Harry,
as he obeyed the summons. What can
she want to see me about, wonderf"
He entered the parlor and confronted q
pretty, dimpled-cheeked girl of eighteen,
with blue eyes and long, brown curis
Aunt Polly was forgotten as he clasped
her in his arms, exclaiming:
MARIAN Leein
Alice stood by enjoying the scene
when Harry, turning to her, said:
aAlly, why didn't you tell me Marian
was heren
Tell you'll Why, didn't you bring hel
yesterdayi Have you so soon forgotteI
Aunt Pollya"
Harry stood for a moment, lookin
from one to the other of the fair conspirs
{ tors In perplexity, then, as the trut
dawned upon him, he exclaimed;
E ostWell, # this isnr good jokel Br
I doesn't your conscience reproach yo'
5 Ally, for the fib you told me?A
Z eBut told no fib, Harry. Marian, e,
9 plain it to him" -t&if
"Dont look so astounded, Harry" sal
/: Marian, demurely. "Alice really is m
niece; only as her mother, my half-siste
) J; was married before was bonn, she is ju
SIX years older than / am. And q
r sumed that disguise as test of 20,
character, and because ! wished to kno