The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-04-15
UNCLEs AND AUsTs.
By s. L. NJ.

every summer under his hosplta bic roof.
Sometimes two or three thus would be
assembled. and then the walls of the old
mansion would witness many scene of
merriment.
My mother had since her marriage re-
sided at great distance from the pa
ternal roof, and it was not until was
about fifteen years old that I made one
at the summer reunion. I had heard
my elder sister describe the old mansion,
its wide halls, grand staircases and deep
oriel windows, and It's spacious grounds
and vine-clad arbors, where she had
pleasant tete-a-tetes with her favorite
cousins, and my girlish Imagination
pictured the spot as the realization of all
the beautiful I had read of in works of
romance.
It was with very joyful spirits started
day-dreams. The first few days after my
arrival I spent in exploring the house
and its vicinity, and when that novelty
was over began to interest myself in
my new relatives, most of whom were en-
tire strangers to me. The characters
and dispositions of those around me al
ways afforded me much amusement and
the aunts, uncles and cousins by whom
was now surrounded presented wide
field for reflection.
My Aunt Jane first attracted me by her
easy, assured manners. and her bright,
intelligent expression. I soon observed
that every body paid her marked atten-
ton, and that her opinion was often con-
suited and her advice called for. There
was something fascinating in her digni-
fed, confident manners, which quite won
the respect of my young, timid mind;
but it was not many weeks before her
true character was exposed to me. In
many respects it was very laudable
one; she was good wife and pattern
of mother, for she had some very
sound ideas upon education, which she
fully carried into practice. It would be
a profitable lesson to many mothers
could they learn her method of teaching
and disciplining her children. She was,
moreover, a woman of excellent educa-
tion and varied accomplishments; but
there was one great fault in her cLarac-
ter which dimmed all her requirements
and good qualities. It was selfish
ness-a very common fault, truly,
but seldom so prominent as
in my aunt's character. She received
attention from all around-for she de-
manded it though in such way that you
could hardly, under the circumstance,
doubt that it was not voluntary on your
part. She was woman of the world,
and seemed fully to understand herself
and everybody around her. But though
she succeeded in exacting attention from
all, especially from strangers, I .beliey-
ed that no one really loved her, but her
affectionate old father, her husband and
children, who certainly would have.
loved her more had she been less selfish.
She had four daughters with whose edu-
cation she had taken unwearied pains
and who, as far as mental requirements
went, certainly did credit to, her exer-
sions. But it was on their account that
my aunt chiefly displayed her selfish
ness. IF they gave evidence of any SUI
perity over their cousins, even her tact
and self-command could not conceal her
But what most annoyed me was her
habit of relieving herself OF their charge.
IF possible, to throw the burden on
others, if we, her elder nieces and
nephews, were about to take quiet
ramble in the woods or on the beach, she
was sure to say, "Kate, dear, or Lucy,
love, do take little Emma with you; she
wants to walk so much" At first we
were very willing, but when we found
that she charged us with the trouble
some little enc that she might en-
joy her own walk in quiet, we felt as if
our good nature was imposed upon, and
when we co I'D we stole out unperceived
to avoid the troublesome charge.
Sometimes she had a headache aud
could not join in the dancing and merri-
ment in the large saloon, where we met
every evening, and then she would not
scruple to call upon one of us to sit and
read to her, never considering at how
great sacrifice. She never required
her own daughters to do this unless no
one else could be prevailed upon.
But it would be impossible to enumer-
ate !. all her selfish actions; each day
brought new examples. No one came
near her who was not called upon to do
her some service, though she never
dreamt of putting herself out to serve
anyone else.
Very different was my obliging Aunt
Mary whose generous disposition ap-
peared the lovlier as il was daily con-
trasted with the selfishness of Aunt Jane.
She never considered what would be
agreeable to herself; the comfort OF 9th
ers was her constant attention. She did
not seek admiration and Difference as did
her less amiable sister, but the homage
she did not ask was paid, for no one
could be long under her influence with
out loving her. Though in delicate
health, she never complained, bnt the
slightest indisposition of others aroused
her sympathy and attention.
i The dispositions of my two aunts gave
rise to many new reflections in my young
mind. I saw that the selfish person IL
his attempts to gain all, loses more than
he gains; and I learned to think that if
we be careful to do justice to others,
Heaven will see that justice is done to
MS.
Ny Aunt Mary's husband 7 called my
inconsiderate uncle, though he deserved
the title selfish as well as Aunt Jane,
from whom he only differed in that she
gained attention by her .fawning man
ners; he did not scruple to call upon
every one, especially his wife and chill
dren, to wait upon him, and he did this
ct ali times when he had nothing to do
but sit still and be served. wife, run
up stairs and get my hat. Here, Sue,
cive me that book-put down your draw
ing and cnt the leaves for me. Look
for my gloves, James--I don't know:
whore left them. In some such way
each one who come near him might ex-
pect to be saluted. And his children
were not little ones who had nothing
bettsr to do. but were ell grown up. and