The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-07-29


and in smoothing it, she said, I'm IRON
ing Pocahontas' bonnet, and the ruffing
is a good deal stiff.
''She tried to dress herself one morn,
| aud got her clothes badly mixed up,
which she expressed thus: 20, mamma,
Tn upside oft. - Youths Companion.
Three Arm.ChairS.
"Come, Victor" said boy about II
years old to younger brother, "let us
run to the gate and watch for auntie."
The ground was covered with several
inches of snow, and hand in hand the
| lads started across the lawn, ankle-deep,
avoiding tie regular pathway. The
gate was on the side Of q public road
leading to the city, few miles distant.
The place, although enjoying splendid
facilities for communication in summer
by means of pleasure boats, was only ac-
cessible by stage in winter. The boys
took their position in the middle of the
road. gazing intently as far as their eyes
would reach. The younger lad got down
on all tours, thinking the position would
assist his vision, when Fred, always on
the alert for fun, turned a summersault,
and both rolled together in the snow.
| The feat was signal for reinforcement
from the house, and bevy of brothers
and cousins were soon jostling and
snow-balling each other to their hearts
content. Even the large house-dog tri,
umphantly gamboled over the promiscu
GUS heap. Fred, slight and spry, Olsen
tangled himself from the crowd and
jumped on the back of Rover, and away
went the dog with the speed of rein
deer, leaving the rider sprawling In the
snow. A cheer from the boys went ring
| ing through the air.
"Catch Rover, Fred" echoed Edgar,
who was delighted at his discontinue.
The fallen rider soon regained his feet,
and sent SNOWFALL whizzing past the
others ear, and in the midst Of the con-
hict the exp ected stage pulled up, and
| the boys with glowing cheeks rushed to
welcome Aunt Mary. She was a tall
lady with a high-bred face, blue eyes
and cheeks like blush rose, wearing a
dark olive, camel.hair suit, jacket and
muff to correspond, and small bonnet
| with wing and plush garniture. Never
| did lady have a merrier body guard,
and never did door swing open to re-
ceive a guest with broader hospitality,
The wide hall was beautifully festooned,
and there hung motto formed of ever
green's with the words in red berries
Peace and joy with you abide
| Through the joyous Chri tmas-tde.
All the appointments throughout the
old home were in harmony with the
motto, and the outer world with its
snow-crest was emblamatic of the purity
within.
The newly-arrived guest dropped her
wrappings, and her niece, little girl
with large, blue eyes and round,
dimpled face, Gre wned with golden
curls, led the lady by the hand to the
tea-table; after partaking of the delight
fnl and refreshing beverage and its &C
compartments, the family repaired to
the parlor where an open CRATE threw
out its pleasant heat with hearty
cheerfulness.
Archie, the eldest boy, politely rolled
forward the large armchair, and invited
his aunt to the seat of honor. The lady
| bowed a gracious acceptance, and, when
seated, her nephew leaned over the
| chair and said, caressingly: "Some-
body told us story in this chair one
| year ago." There was regular futteI
| and drawing closer of the children t.
the armchair. "Please tell me story,
auntie," said Victor.
"What kind of story" inquired the
lady.
'sAny kind" said Edgar, 81 know
auntie has plenty of stories.
"Auntie can make her own selee-
tion." said Archie.
"Life is so real, my dear children,
that there is no occasion to deal in the
visionary, and shall confne myself to
incident rather than fiction"
Please proceed, auntie, for truth is
stranger than fiction" remarked Edgar.
'fEd9ar's getting matter of fact, d" was
Archie's reioinder.
I'm fulfllment of my promise, and by
way of prelude" said the lady, "this
chair reminds me of one L sat IN few
weeks ago"
odd it have a crest on the back like
this one?" asked Edgar,
'tThe chair has been called by its
owner His splendid ebon throne 1t
was the gift of the children OF Cam
bridge to the poet Longfellow, on his
I'D birthday, and made from the wood OF
the Village Blacksmith S chestnut tree. ,"
Thisannouncement brought the young
est of the group to their feet. On invi-
tation to be reseated, they cheerfully
obeyed, when the lady continued:
81 had the pleasure of finding Mr..
Longfellow at home one afternoon went
to Cambridge. His residence has no
pretensions. It is charmingly located in
a picturesque neighborhood. The house
is large and roomy, and built after the
manner of old fashioned mansions 1t is
approached by lawn, and there are
some fine old trees on the place. The
interior is a poem-a psalm-and the
owner benediction. The walls and
halls are graced with paintings and busts
of such men as Washington, Sumner,
Emerson, Taylor, FELTON,, Hawthorn, and
one picture Of his lovely daughters when
children. There are delightful pieces of
bric-a-brac, each bit of poetry il itself;
there are cases of books and old-time
clocks, and up the wide, white stairs, one
stands and points and beckons with its
hands.
"The inkstand of the poet Coleridge
is used by Mr.. Longfellow, and is among
hismost treasured relics. He was pleased
tn draw attention tn the aDaTtnoenfs onca