The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-03-17
UNCLES AND AUN1'S.
BY S. L. NJ,

BY s. L. NJ.
My maternal grandfather resided in an old
fashioned dwelling, situated at about q mile
from the sea- coast He had several children all
married, who with their families generally
spent part of every summer under his hOspita-
ble roof. Sometimes two or three thus would
be assembled, and then the walls of the old
mansion would witness many scene of merri-
ment.
My mother had since her marriage resided at
great distance from the paternal roof, and it
was not until was about fifteen years old that
made one at the summer reunion. l had heard
my elder sister describe the old mansion, its
wide halls, grand staircases and deep oriel win
dows, and its 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 tho
beautiful had read of in works of romance
It was with very joyful spirits started on my
Journey to the scene Of my many 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 observing my new relatives, most of whom
were entire strangers to me. The characters
and dispositions of those around me always af-
uncles and cousins by whom was now sur
rounded presented a wide field for reflection.
My Aunt Jane first attracted me by her easy,
assured manners, and her bright, Intelligent ex-
preston. l sooD observed that everybody paid
her marked attention, and that her opinion was
often consulted and her advice called for.
There was something fascinating in her digni-
fed, confident manners, which quite won the re-
spect of my young, timid mind; but it was not
many weeks before her true character was ex-
posed to ne. In many respects it was very
1audable one; she was a good wife and pat
ideas upon education, which she fully carried
into practice. It would be q profitable lesson
to many mothers could they learn her method
of teaching and disciplining her children. She
was, moreover, woman of excellent educa-
ton and varied accomplishments; but there
was one great fault in her character which
dimmed all her requirements and good quail
tiles. 1t was selfishness-a very common
fault, truly, but seldom so prominent as
in my aunt's character. She received attention
from all around-for she demanded it, though
in such way that you could hardly doubt that
it was not voluntary on your part. She was
woman of the world, and seemed fully to un-
derstand herself and everybody around her.
But though she succeeded in exacting attention
from all, especially from strangers, 1 believed
that no one really loved her but her affectionate
old father, her husband and children, who GER
tainly would have loved her more had she been
less selfish. She had four daughters with whose
education she had taken unwearied pains, and
who, as far as mental requirements went GER
tainly did credit to her exertions But it was
Ou tIlc1r dCCOuut NY duuL CIllelly u1SpldyoO
her selfshness. If they gave evidence of any
superiority over their cousins, even her tact
and self command could not conceal her salts
faction.
But what most annoyed me was her habit of
relieving herself of their charge. If possible,
nieces and nepbews, 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
tOublesome little one that she might enjoy her
owe walk in quiet, we felt as if our good nature
was imposed upon, and when we could we stole
out unperceived to avoid the troublesome
charge. Sometimes she had headache and
could not join in the dancing and merrlment in
the large saloon, where we met every evening,
one of us to sit and read to her. never consider
ing at how great sacrifice She never re-
quired her own daughters to do this unless no
one else could be prevailed upon.
But it would be impossible to enumerate all
her selfish actions; each day brought new ex-
amples. 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 appeared the lovelier
as it was daily contrasted with the seltishness
would be agreeable to herself; the comfort of
others was her constant attention. She did not
seek admiration and Difference as did her less
anliable sister, but the homage she did not
ask was paid, for no one could be long under
her influence without loving her Though in
delicate health, she never complained, but the
slightest indisposition of others aroused her
sympathy and attention.
The dispositions of my two aunts gave rise to
many new reflections in my young mind l
saw that the selfish person in his attempts to
gain all, loses more than he gains; and learned
to think that if we be careful to do justice to
others, Heaven will see that justice is done to
Ny Aunt Mary's husband called my incon-
siderate uncle, though he deserved the title sell
fish as well as Aunt Jane, from whom he only
differed in that she gained attention by her
upon every one, especially his wife and child
rem, to wait upon hin1-and he did this at all
times WHEN he had nothing to do but sit still
and be served. s'Wife, run up stairs and get my
hat;" 'Here Sue, give me that book-pu
down your drawing and cut the leaves for me-
where left Them In some such way each
one who came near him might expect to be sa
luted And his children were not little ones
who had nothing better to do, but were all
grown up, and being Industrious and always
| usefully employed, it was inconsidlerate and
selfish thus to call upon them. In fact he
seemed to think that wife, children, nieces and
nephews were good for nothing but to minister
to his caprices. But no one could be better
companion than he in his best moods, which
unfortunately were very rare.
Isometimes thought his Indifference to the
comfort Of others proceeded rather from
| thoughtlessness than nl-nature Perhaps his
mother was fond foolish woman, who minis
tered to her spoilt boys imaginary and capri
icous wants at the risk Of making him trouble
some companion in after days
Happily Uncle George my Us selfish annts a t4 nus g.
the house. Whenever he appeared he was
heartily welcomed for he had universal SYM
pathy-he would listen approvingly to the m1l-
sic Of one, inspect the drawings of another,
kindly criticise the compositions of another. and
for all have kind words and delicate attentions.
IN 1,ouo cpo1,o