American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-03-23
MY AUNT KERAMMIK.

1t is perhaps a year ago since drop
ped in to call upon Mrs. X. one even
ing, and found her porting over that
fatal volume, g First Steps in Household
Art 1 say fatal advisedly, for, inno-
cent as the book seemed, it was destined
to poison my peace of mind, and to
cost my poor aunt much pain and mis-
cry in the days to come.
But, happily unconscious as yet of
the trouble in store, my aunt looked up
from her book on my entrance, and ex-
claimed:
g Oh, Frederic, I'm so glad you have
come! want you to read this charm
ing book, and then to tell me what YOU
think of it. What stupid mistakes
have been making all these years-why,
| see now that l did not comprehend the
first principles of Art, not even its all ha-
bet. But will begin at once 1 will
refurnish this house in accordance with
my new ideas, and then, Frederic my
dear, you shall see-what you shall
see."
Somewhat puzzled, began to ques-
ton, but for all answer my aunt thrust
the "First Steps in Household Art''
into my hand, and babe me read and be
convinced.
Dutifully l turned over a page or two,
but l found their contents decidedly
mystifying. Meanwhile my aunt was
running on glibly, in what seemed to
me an unknown tongue. 1 tried my
best to turn the conversation into more
familiar channels, but in vain. Renais-
sance, bric-a-brac, dados, potieres,
Queen Anne mirrors, coves, Eastlake,
Morris wallpapers, decorative Art
the latter pronounced with a capital A
these succeeded each other with start
ling rapidity, until at last l rose to take
leave, feeling almost anxious about my
aunt's sanity.
1t SO happened that 1 was obliged to
leave town early the next day on urgent
business, so 1 did not see her again for
nearly week. But what a surprise
awaited me I stared in helpless
amazement when the door was opened
in answer to my ring, and should have
apologized for getting into the wrong
house, had not Johns smiling visage
treasured me. He alone was unchanged
But what meant all this transformation?
The elegant carpets and curtains had
disappeared; so had the luxurious chairs
and lounges; SO had the superb mir
rors, the valuable pictures-in short, all
the furniture and ornaments of which
my aunt had been SO proud. In their
places beheld ugly old Dutch clocks,
clumsy carved furniture, pOnderous and
grim of aspect, sconces holding candles
whose dim light only made one regret
the gas, and tiny mirrors in queer
frames. Old china plates were suspend
ed all over the walls, Japanese cabinets
stood here and there, and in place of
the polished CRATE with its cannel-coal
fire, an enormous fireplace now yawned
before me, its sides ornamented with
tiles, the tall brass andirons and fender
framing in couple of blazing logs.
The floor was dark and shining, and
terribly slipplery, as I found out in
moment, SO stepped gladly on dingy
rug as an island of refuge. At one side
of the fire, on tall carved oaken 6 set
tie, sat my aunt, looking blissfully con-
tent with her new surroundings.
"Isn't it charming, Frederick" was
her first question. Then: &C found it
all in that delightful book-the one
was reading when you left me last week,
you know, Fred. Did you ever see such
a transformation?
g Never" I replied, with considera-
BILE emphasis; &c but are you quite sure,
my dear Aunt, that you lind yourself
as comfortable as formerly? This ar
ticle of furniture, for e''-touch-
ing the back of the wooden SETTLE is
MT it little, just little, hard and I'M
accommodating? Don't you miss your
delightful easy chairs, now?''
Frederic said my aunt, with
of reproof and surprise in her
Frederic, can you be so iRsen-
sible to the value of true household Art
as to regret the furniture l have discard !
edP All, my dear boy, your words only
prove to me your lamentable want of
cdlture-the dizziness of your aesthetic
perceptions, in fact-and L shall do nv
best to educate you to higher plane in
Art"
My aunt shivered perceptibly as she
and no wonder, for the room |
was really cold.
You are chilly. Let me open the
register; or shall tell John to put some
coal in the furnaceP'' 1 asked, rising
from my seat at once. But Mrs. X.
me, with another SILVER as she
lid so.
Nonsense!" she replied, shortly;
. am quite warm enough; besides, L
nave had the furnace taken out. 1t is
he greatest of modern abomiaations,
md | could not permit it to remain in a
lwelling devoted to artistic furnishing.
IS not this charming wood-ire a de-
ightful substitute?'' and so saying, she
neezed.
SHOW l miss your picturesi" VEN
ured to say next. l felt so disconcert-
ID by the strangeness of all about me
hat l made this remark with real tim
dity. My aunt was more reproachful
han before, as she said:
g Have you noticed the dado and the