Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-07-11
SWANSDOWN VILLA.

We are not rich, but we are better of than
people think us, which is my idea of comfort
Live in n some what queter style than your
income might allow, and you have a margin
Ostentation is very nice thing for people
who like it, but it necessiiates pulling at your
expenditure to make ends meet and then
if the income tax is doubled or another child
comes, you are worried and perpexed. We
have two children and an aunt, and desire no
increase to our family. On the aunt-side we
are pretty safe on the child-side we hope
for the best, but there is no knowing. The
rising generation is very perverse, and crops
up occasionally in the most unexpected way
Aunt Sarah has lived with us ever since the
second year of our marriage, when she had
the misfortune to lose her Fido and being of
an affectionate disposition, bound to love
something, she fixed on our baby as a fit OBJ
ject for attachment. She has her two rooms
and her own maid, and can be as independ-
ent AS she pleases. OF course the fact makes
no difference in our feelings toward her or in
our desire for her comfort, but | may men
ton incidentally that her money is entirely at
her own disposal, and that she has good
deal of it. She is only my aunt by marriage,
and l am quite as fond of her as l could be
of blood relation, perhaps more so, for
since it is notorious that a man loves his wife
better than himself. (or ought to-. it seems to
follow by analogy that he must also prefer
her family to his own, especially any mem
Der of it to whom he feels grateful for what
she will very probably do for him or for his
children some day.
Aunt Sarah liked our home. 1t was close
to London yet n park where fresh, almost
country air could be breathed was within a
short walk. Water too, was visible from the
drawing room windows and as the happiest
portion of her life had been spent on the
banks of the Severn, she was partial to water
and liked to watch the vessels passing to and
fro 1t is true that our substitute for a river
was but the canal in Regents Park, but still
it pleased her and probably we should new
er have left the suburb of Art if we had not
been pretty nearly blown out of it by the fa-
nous gunpowder explosion which created
such u panic early one morning few years
ago. When the powder barge blew up it
shattered our windows and Aunt Sarah's
nerves.
When my wife had assured herself that the
children were safe, she went to Aunt Sarah's
room, and presently her voice rose in wild
alarm "Charles Charles Aunt Sarah's
gone" was much shocked, thinking she
alluded to a fatal effect. And you must go
after her directly"
This was even a harder blow, for fanoied
my spouse had been frightened out of her
yes; the hall-door is open; she must
lm,, run out into the road. Oh, do follow
her ut once !"
ubeyed without delay, though my costume
was grotcsque and insufficient; and taking,
fortunately, the right turning, came present
lv upon the poor old lady, who was standing
bewildertd at II street corner, with bed can
die in her hand. l knew her by instinct, or
| shnuld never have recognized her in her
night attire. which consisted of variety of
wraps and the most portentous night-cap
that imagination can conjure up. 1t was
sou, minutes before l could coax her back !;
aud ~ hen at length she took my arm and al
lowed me TO lead her away, the spectacle we
pr, :, Ited must have been curious.
The effect of this event upon Aunt Sarah's
H. ryrs was so serious that she could not bear
to remain in the same neighborhood. 1t was
in vain that l related to her the precaution of
that legendary mathematician who, happen
ing to be ON board a frigate during naval
action, thrust his head into the first shot-hole,
aud remained in that position, like a nautical
ostrich, till the firing was over, having made
n rapid calculation of the enormous odds
against two balls striking the hull in precise
ly the same spot. She only replied that he
was q very wicked man to tempt Providence,
and for her part she would stay with the
Weadles at Tunbridge Wells, until we could
get settled in a less explosive neighborhood
Now Mrs. Weadle was another niece, an
innocent woman enough by nature, but mar
ried to a designing husband, who moulded
her plastic character as he willed. They had
often invited Aunt Sarah to stay with them,
and professed strong attachment TO her ;
but ii is my sad suspicion that they were act
uated by mercenary motives alone. 1t was
much to be feared that they might ingratiate
tba,nselves unduly in the course of long visit
and their son might be foisted into that place
held by our little Sarah in the will and affec-
tions of our aged relative. 1t was true that
Aunt Sarah preferred girls to boys; that the
only child the Weadles had was masculine
while both of ours were feminine aud that
she mad taken particular fancy to the little
girl who was named after her. But history
biography, and science combine to teach us
that ladies are occasionally tickle; Aunt Sa-
rah might be converted to boys in general,
and the Weadle youth in particular.