Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-13

NO. 273.
Gales ano Skettbes.
AUNT ROxY'S WILL.

The Widow Champion had come over
to take tea with aunt Roxy, and the twain
were sitting in cheerful state before the
sitting-room fire. Mrs. Champion had on
her best silk apron, and she wore, more
over, a very extraordinary cap, which al
ways came in box, and went in box,
and during the interregnum lowered SUBJ
timely upon Mrs. Champions head. and
was tied in two-bow knot, beneath Mrs.
Champions double chin.
"Well, Cousin Eunice," began aunt
Roxy, as she settled her spectacles for n
long talk, sis there any news in the neigh
borhood ?n
"Well, not anything partickelar as l
know ot,'' replied the widow, in con-
scientious tone, all the time sticking her
needle into the goosequill sheath which
reposed on her right side. Conversation
between these two sped briskly enough
when once started. But as aunt Roxy
maintained that she was too sensible to
waste her breath on commonplaces of the
weather, there were usually few silences
to begin with. Presently she inquired: !:
'It's time O. general health in the
town. isn't it ?"
''Well, it is, and then agin it isn't. as
you may say. Jane Minis children was
took down with the measles last week, and
then. uncle Zimr amt but Just alive
'Tant no ways likely that he'll hold out
much longer.''
well, for my part" up spoke aunt
Roxy, I'm convinced that man who
uses as much tobacco as uncle Zmri can't
expect to live out half his days, don't
know what you call doin' it,
"Well, he may be an exception then;
but he always was a master hand to smoke
and chew" said aunt Roxy, with some
spirit.
"Oh yes, mebby he was; but then,
| Roxanna, we've all got our faults, an, l
will say for uncle Zimri at he's allus Just
been 'ust the kindest neighbor t you can
| find anywhere answered the good wo-
man. soothinSly.
"Come, now, Eunice Champion! you
need not talk that ways if you was putt
ting on poultice! You alus would have
a word to say for everybody. You would
have a word for the very evil one himself,
actually believe! Therer'
| The truth was. that scarcely greater
contrast could be found than these two
women, lifelong friends though they were.
Mrs. Champion, with her immense, and
well-nigh shapeless body. her round. soft
face. and smooth, silvery hair, was one
to whom children clung, and about whom
even dumb creatures crowded. From the
cat who lay on the rug. to the dying soul
whose last look on earth was INTO Graz
Champions loving eyes, every human be-
ing turned to her for sympathy; while
aunt Roxy though her heart was COM
monty held to be in the right place, was
still, on account OF her tongue, a terror to
evil doors, and not always favorite with
those who did we'll.
They are goin' to settle Mr.. Fisher,
the new minister, s'pose you know, IRE
marked the guest, after pause.
thought like enough. Squire Gibson
he came round here with the subscription
paper t'other day, trying to make me put
down fifty dollars instead of twenty-five,
towards the salary. An says to him,
saws |, Il don't want to be mean, but Old
Parson Taylor lived all his days, an
brought up his family. an sent his boys
through college. an all on six hundred
dollars An now here comes this young
sprg o. divinity. an 10 an behold, he's
got to have twelve hundred An not
wife or child has he got, neitherp"
"No, but he may, both; an besides,
money amt worth what it used to be in
parson Taylor's time.''
Lawful heart! s if didn't know that.
How every boughten thing costs An /
amt any richer now than was then. No!
if they are going to pamper this young
man, they've got to do it out of some
body's pocket beside forlorn old creetur
like me, now tell you! A lonely woman,
an not Il soul upon earth to protect her."
cried aunt Roxy.
BLESS me, cousin Roxanna, that'll do
for talk But don't we all know that you
have got more money at int'rest n any
man in town, besides your great farmr'
$50 much the worse taxes!" groaned
the lone woman. but, bout this new
minister. | hain't got nothing against
him. He's all well .nought's fur s I've
seen. though | must say I've had my
doubts bout his orthodoxy. don't want
to find fault-everybodv knows that amt
my dlsposition-but will say t I've given
close attention for six Sabba' days runt
min, an can't, for the life of me, tell
whether his views be on total depravity
or lection"
80, but, cousin Roxy, you'd ought'er n
heerd him talk to uncle Zimri t'other day!
tell you t want nothing but just fairly
beautiful
Dear, we'll. nothin's EASTERN talkin' ~
"But, everybody agrees that he's the
kindest, gentlest, patientest sort Of
man.
whats kindness without savin' faith ?
o, tell YOU I'm afraid, I'm drefful afraid
that man amt sound.'
"Dear, yes! but who wants a man all
knots ?'
Every well, but we can't have heresy
preached here in this Eastmont pulpit,
and we're commanded to stand firm in the
faith once delivered
Zone, two. three" counted Mrs Cham
pion. Counting her stitches was the good
woman's invarable resource, when she
wished to put bride on hertongue.
AN then, Eunice. they do say-'t amt
my way to retail gossip; | hope i'm above
it, but they do say IS Mr.. Fisher calls at
Squire Gibson's oftener than a minister'd
ought to-"
Miss Roxy lowered her voice to hoarse
whisper, though there was no living