Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1881-03-23
UNCLEs AND AUSTS.
BY s. !. NJ.


from the sea coast. He had several children all
married, who with their families generally
spent part of every summer under his hospita-
BILE roof. Sometimes two or three thus would
be assembled, and then the walls of the old
mansion would witness many scene Of merr1-
ment
My mother had since her marriage resided at
q great distance from the paternal roof, and it
was not until was about fifteen years old that
/ made one at the summer reunion. had heard
nv elder sister describe the old mansion, it's
wide halls, grand staircases and deep oriel win
dows, and it's spacious grounds and vine clad
arbors, where she had pleasant tete-a-tetes with
her favorite cousins, and my girish 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 on my
journey to the scene of my many day dreams.
The first few days after my arrival 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
forded me much amusement, and the aunts,
uncles aud cousins by whom l was now sur
rounded presented wide field for reflection.
NY Aunt Jane first attracted me by her easy,
assured manners, and her bright, intelligent ex-
preston. soon observed that everybody paid
uor IQark6u aGCouuOu, anu tudt uef Op1IllOu Wd9
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 me. In many respects it was q very
laudable one; she was good wife and pat
tern of a mother, for she had some very sound
ideas upon education, which she fully carried
into practice. It would be profitable lesson
to many mothers could they learn her method
of teaching and disciplining her children. She
was, moreover, q woman of excellent educa-
ton and varied accomplishments; but there
was one great fault in her character which
ities It was selishness-a very common
fault, truly, but seldom so prominent as
in my aunts 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 a
derstand herself and everybody around her.
But though she succeeded in exactng attention
from all, especially from strangers, believed
that no one really loved her but her affectonate
old father, her husband and children, who GER
tainly would have loved her more had she been
education she had taken unwearied pains, and
who, as far as mental requirements went, Ger
tainly did credit to her exeruons: But it was
on their account that my aunt chiefly displayed
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,
to throw the burden on others, if we, her elder
nieces and nepbews, we're about to take quiet
ramble in the woods or on the beach, she was
sure to say; Kate. dear" or "Lucy, love, do
n much ~ A. fret NJ vun ui11inO hit
when we found that she charged us with the
Troublesome 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 mer,rnent in
the large saloon, where VI. met every evening,
and then she would not scruple to call upon
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.
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 loyelier
as it was daily contrasted with the selishness
of Aunt Jane. She never considered what
would be agreeable to herself; the comfort of
others 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 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. {
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
us.
My Aunt Marys 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 him-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;" ssHere Sue, give me that book-put
down your drawing andicut 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 inconsiderate and
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.
sometimes thought his indifference to the
thoughtlessness than ill-nature. Perhaps his
mother was fond, foolish woman, who minis
tered to her spoilt boys imaginary and capri
locus wants at the risk of making him trouble