Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-09-21
MY AUNT PENELOPE.


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 l had learned the
lesson of economy, and coAtrived 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
than otherwise.
We had gone to housekeeping on
second floor in Camden. 1t WAS q very
nice place, although Aunt Penelope de-
clared from the first that second floor
wasn't genteel.
at is more genteel than running in
debt for hsnse that you can't Afford"
said Jerome; and SO l didn't care; though
some of my school friends who had mar
ried rising young lawyers and doctors
left off visiting us. And you may be
sure didn't miss them much after baby
came, like little blue eyed sunbeam, to
Gil my heart and hands with those deli
CiVuS Cdicct ~ SWcoS W ~ ihothVi HfUis
Aunt Penelope was always thinking Of
plans. my friend, Mrs, Outerbridge,
owns the sweetest country place up the
river" said she to me, IN confden tial
manner.
"My friend, Mrs. Outerbridge, is go
ing to France, and has requested me,
most politely, to reside at Outerbridge
Cottage during her absence, and look
after things little: And when | men
toned that was devoted to my niece
and her baby she was kind enough to
say that it made no difference if you came
there too-for five months. And what a
splendid thing it would be for the baby 70
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 l dread
ed the hot, sultry air Of Summer for
little Bertie's sake.
EYES," said 1, doubtfully. "But Je-
rome:"
"It's only twenty-five minutes by
train" said Aunt Penelope. "He can
come out every evening""
The more Aunt Penelope and l dis
cussed this subject, the more feasible and
delightful it appeared TO me. We could
revel in country m lk, velvet mown lawns
and fresh butter. Baby's peram bulatoI
could roll over graveled walks; Jerome
could hear the nigh.ingales sing of a
summer twilight and watch the moon re-
fleet in the streams: and Aunt Penelope
and could be for the once fine ladies, at
the head Of great establishment, for
all the Outerbridge servants were to re-
main until the return of the mistress
Verify it seemed delightful idea.
When jerome came homo L could
hardly wait to give him his first cup OF
tea before unfslded the story Of Outer
bridge Cottage, on the Hudson. Aunt
Penelope, gracously sat By, feeling like
the fairy grandmother who had done il
all with one whisk OF her enchanted wand
"Well !" quoth 1, restlessly, when ]
had finished the recital.
"Well !" said Jerome, who by this
time had the baby on his Jap, and was
tickling its plump ribs.
"Of course we will 60 ~
"Of course we won't !" said this i'm.
practicable husband of mine.
jerome !"
"Amy I"
"But why not?"
"In the first place, because I've no idef
of your turning housekeeper for any Ole
woman who wants to enjoy herself il
France and foist off her household care
ON somebody else. In the second place
prefer to make nay own arrangements
instead of having them made for me =
At this Aunt Penelope brdled little
and tossed her head.
looked, with eyes full of tears, at my
husband.
"Jereme," cried I. "now you are un.
reasonable. 1t would be such fine thing
for baby"
II don u see but that baby is doing
we'll enough, retorted Jerome. 81 don't
approve of your plans, Amy. Let Adnt
Penelope accept the position ifshe pleases
/ am able to furnish homo for my owr
wife,"
"A homer" Yes !" cried I, indignant
ly, "in fat, ithout as much back YARD
as one could bleach tablecloth in I"
"You have managed to exist in it fol
two years." said Jerome, with wha
seemed to me the most heartless indiffer
ence.
l began to cry. Aunt Penelope rose
up with a great rustlng Of black silk ant
lilac satin cap ribbons,
II shall certainly accept my friend
Mrs. Outerbridge's kind OFFER" said she
with dignity. "Ofcourse, Amy, you will
do as you please. And | am going W
stairs now to pack up. Mrs. Outer
bridge is anx ious for me to come as soor
as possib And of course, Amy, you
will remember that / shall always b,
glad to receive you and your family a
my guests at Outerbridge Cottage.
i looked imploringly at Jerome.
"May we go, dear2 I am Heartburn
CRY for apple blossoms, and green gras
and buttercups I" pleaded /.
"Of course; if you wish it."
"AHd will you come, toof"
jerome shook his head.
my evenings for the present must
spent in town." said he. ~ have SOM
extra work to do for Uncle Joseph, whic
will not bear postponing. If you &c
Amv il must bo alone -