Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-03-26
NV Aunt Penelope.

MARRIED. PEOPLE OF LIMITED MEANS
AND GREAT POSSIBILITIES.
We had been married not quite two
years, Jerome and [ and l think we
had contrived to be about as happy as
married couples generally are.
Jerome wasn't rich, but he had good
salary in his uncle's shipping office, and
I learned the lesson of economy, and
contrived to get along nicely, with one
girl. To be sure, Aunt Penelope helped
us but after all, Aunt Penelope, though
was more in the way than otherwise.
We had gone to housekeeping on sec
ond floor in Camden. It was very
nice place, although Aunt Penelope de-
clared from the first that a second floor
wasn't genteel.
"It's more genteel than running in
debt for whole house that you can't
afford" said Jerome; and so I didn't
care, although some ofmy school friends
who had married rising young lawyers
and doctors, left off visiting me. And
YOU may be sure I 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. 10 o. %A-ASFef
My friend, Mrs. Outerbridge, owns the
sweetest country place up the river, and
Aunt Penelope said to me one day, in
confidential and patronizing tone:
my friend, Mrs. Outerbridge, is going
to France, and has requested me most
politely to reside at Outerbridge cottage
during her absence and look after things
little. And when I mentioned that I
was devoted to my neice and her baby she
was kind enough to say that it would
make no difference if you came there too
for five months from the first of May
until the first of October. And what a
splendid thing it would be for 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 its rosy gums, and / dread
ed the hot air ofsummer for little Bertie's
sake.
romeW
ats only twenty-five minutes by
train" said Aunt Penelope. "He can
come down every evening""
The more Aunt Penelope and dis
cussed this subject the more feasible and
delightful it appeared to us. We could
revel in the country milk, velvet mown
lawns, and fresh butter. Baby's per-
ambulator could roll over gravelled
walks; Jerome could hear the night
ingales sing of a summer twilight, and
watch the moon reflected in the stream,
and Aunt Penelope and could be for
once fine ladies at the head of great
establishment, for all the Outerbridge
servants were to remain Cd until the re-
turn oftheif mistress. Vertically if SEEM
ed a delightful ideal. aas.
When jerome came home [ could
hardly wait to give him the first cup of
tea before I unfolded the story of Outer
bridge cottage on the Hudson. Aunt
Penelope sitting graciously by feeling
like the fairy godmother who had done
it all with one whisk of her enchanted
wand.
"Well?" quoth I, restlessly, when I
had finished the recital.
"Well.u said Jerome, who by this time
had the baby on his lap and was tickling
his plump ribs. azae4lH
ysOf course We'll go!n
"Of course we won't" said this imprac-
ticable husband of mine.
"Jerome!n
Amy ~ -s5
"But' why not ?" ~ sa5-4
I'm the first place because I've no idea
of your turning housekeeper for any old
woman who wants to enjoy herself in
France, and foist off her household cares
on somebody else. In the second place
1 like to make my own arrangements,
instead of having them made for mel
AT this Aunt Penelope bridled and
Looked with ewes f,,n Of tao &c . NIX,
husband. s a',s,s ,..'s.'i q. 5..54',s
tsJeronae. " cried T snow vo,, ara nm
reasonable. II would he sncb f;na
thing for the babv.u -.
ri don't see but that the babv is doing
well enough retorted Jerone ar de
NOT annrove IF vonr n1ans ~, ~
Aunt Penelope accent anv nosition she
pleases. T am able to f1rnish . honae
for my own wife, = - .' >,'-'',
IA home! Yes.u cried Indignantly
Gin a flat. withnut 40 rnucb> Of q hat
ward as enc conId bleach q tahIa. Cloth
inn, -@' 800 - N-N ~.
"You have contrived to exist in II for
tu,c ,, Sn;5 T ~ - - ~
seemed to me the most heartIess indif.
ference.
I began to cry. Aunt Penelope rose
satin CAP ribbons. '''eA> . : so '''' :
II shall certainly accept nv friend
Mrs Outerbridge's kind offer y said She
with dignity. "Of course. Amy, YOU.
will do as you please. And I am going
up stairs to pack up Mrs OI7teyhridres
is anxious for me to come as soon as
possible. And, of course, Amy, You will
remember that shall always be glad to
receive you and your family as guests at
Outerbridge cottage" @
I looked imploringly at Jerome.
MAY we 60, dear? I am so heart
hungry for apple blossoms, and green
grass, and butter. cups ~ pleaded /. i 3
"Of course, if you wish it.'' is
And will you come, too? ?"
But Jerome shook his head.
my evenings for the present must be
spent in town." said he: 1I have some
extra work to do for Uncle Joseph, which