Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-02
MY AUNT PENELOPE.

We had been married about two years,
Jerome and / and think we had con-
trived to be about as happy as married
couples generally are.
Jerome wasn't rich, but had good
salary in his uncle's shipping office. and
bad learned the lesson OF economy, and
contrived to get along nicely with only
one girl. To be sure Aunt Penelope
helped US; but, after all, though she was
good soul, and meant well, was more
in the way than otherwise.
We had gone to housekeeping on
second floor in Camden. 1t was very
nice place, although Aunt Penelope. de-
clared, from tho first, that q second floor
wasn't genteel.
ut is more genteel than running in
debt for q full house that you can't af-
ford" said Jerome and so | didn't care,
though some OF my school friends who
had married rising young lawyers and
doctors. left of visiting me. And you
may be sure | didn't miss them much af-
ter baby came, like q little blue-eyed
sunbeam, to fill my heart and hands with
those delicious cares 50 sweet TO moth
er's soul.
Aunt Penelope Was always thinking OF
plans. MY friend, Mrs. Outerbride,
owns the sweetest country place up the
river" said Aunt Penelope to me one
day in O confidential manner.
"My friend. Mrs. Outerbride, is
going TO France, and has requested
me most politely TO reside at Outerbridge
cottage during her absence, and look al
ter things little. And when | men
toned that was devoted TO my niece
and her baby, and she was kind enough
TO saw that it would mske no difference
ii you came there, toO-for FIVE months,
from the 1st OF May to lst OF October.
And what a splendid thing 1t would be
Tor the baby to have five months in the
country"
Ny eyes glittered at the prospect. The
first tooth had already begun to CLEAN
like pearl in his rosy gum, and dread
cd the hot. sultry air OF summer Tor
little Bertie's sake.
Yes" said /. doubtiully. but Je-
rome ?"
"Its only twent-fve min nutes by train" "
said Aunt Penelope. "He can come at
every evening"
The more Aunt Penelope and | dis
oussed this subject, the more feasible and
delightful it appeared to US. We could
reve in couptry milk, velvet-mown
lawns. and fresh batter. Baby's peran1-
bulator could roll over grsveled walks ;
Jerome could hear the nightingales sing
of summer twilight, and watch the
moon reflected in the streams; and Aunt
Penelope and | could be for the once fine
ladies, at the head OF q great establish
meut, for all the 0uterbride servants
we're to remaiu on until the return OF
their mistress. Veritably it seemed de-
lightful idea
When Jerome came home | could
hardly wait to give him his first cup OF
tea before unfolded the story of Outer.
bridge Cottage, on the Hudson. Aunt
Penelope, sitting graciously by, feeling
like The fairy grandmother who had done
il all with one wbisk of her enchanted
wand.
"Wellr quoth l resllessly, when had
, finished the recital.
"Wel!" said Jerome, who by thi:
time had the baby on his lap. and wa:
tickling its plump ribs.
"Ol course we'll gor
"Of course we won't" said this i'm
practicable husband OF mine.
jerome
Amyw
"But why not ?n
r .'In the first place, because I've no ides
of your turning housekeeper for any ole
= woman who wants to enjoy herself il
, France and foist of her household cares
on somebody else. In the second place
3. like to make my own arrangements
; instead OF having them made for me y
y At this Aunt Penelope bridled LITTLE
and tossed her head.
looked. with eyes full of tears, at ny
. husband.
= Jerome cried |, "now you are un
), reasonable. 1t would be such fin,
thing for baby"
al don't see but that baby is doin.
we'll enough" retorted Jerome. l d.
not approve of your plans. Amy. lie
-. Aunt Penelope accept the position,
she pleases. am able to furnish hom
for my own wife,"
"a home! Yesr' cried out / indig
r nantly, sin fiat, without as much back
i yard as one could bleach q table.clot
'mw