Smyrna times., 1881-11-23

-
nearest stage station.
" Is this Cousin Hugh's home, ma 2"
said Adelaide, the eldest, discOntentedly.
" 1t amt not hing but shantv !' loudly
proclaimed Alexander GustaVus, the se-
cOnd hope of the family.
There amt no paint on it," said Helen
Louise.
" Lemme get out! lemme get out y
shrieked JulIetta, land play in that lovely
black mud, where the frOg-toad is sit
tingr'
Mrs. johnson sailed in, with o scarlet
face and Il perturbed look.
I'm afraid Cousin Mary" said she.
that we shall Inconvenience you. There
don't seem to be much accommodation
here"
"Oh, there's plenty of room up in the
garnet, such as it is ~ said Mrs Haven,
smiling. "Of course, one expects to lead
gypsy life i'll place like this, and the
lake will be SO nice for the little dears to
play in, If only they are little careful,
for it's very deep; and it's so lucky YOU
are here, Cousin johnson, to help me with
the pies and bread, for I'm not very ex-
perienced hOusekerper, and
Il thought you kept two or three serv-
ants, said Mrs. Johnson, frigidly.
:" have only one young girl lust at
present, said Mrs Haven; land of course
when there's SO much company, there's
great deal to do. Oh, there comes an old
lady with sweet little. yclping dog!'
She glanced out of the open doorway.
Goodness me, if it amt that intOler-
able old Aunt Sadie, with her inevitable
dog" grO&ned Mrs. Johnson, as a fat
elderly lady tOiled up the path, in scarlet
shawl and black-llce hat.
=" Bless me?" said Aunt Sadie, purple
with the heat and dripping with pcrspira-
ton, you don't never mean to say, Niece
Haven, that this cree the place I've
heard tell Of on l.ake-what dye call il -
II IS where we live at present" said
Mrs. Haven, quietly.
M downright sorry / left the tavern
at the railroad" said Aunt Sadie, sadly.
amt used TO these upholstered houses.
and I'm most sure Trip will catch cold"
Uncle jerks was the last to come-a
shrewd, brown-faced old man, in u gray
suit, and keen eyes like an eagle. He
looked around him and seemed to take in
the situation at once.
No servants, eh?" said he. "Well,
it's lucky came. I'm pretty handy to
fetch water, and split kindling, and help
round the house; and you're pretty slim
my dear, to do all the work of this house.
with only young gal to help you. So
Hugh hasn't done real well in business?
Eve little money uninvested myself. and
don't know as | could do better with il
than to lend il to my sisters SON."
Thus he spoke, checrily and kind, while
Mrs. MOntagu Pront famed herself on
the porch, and Cousin Herbert Haller did
battle with the mosquitoes and midgets.
Mrs. Johnson followed her four children
about in ceaseless terror lest they should
be drowned and Aunt Sadie felt her Gog's
pulse and grOaned over the heat.
One night at the cottage settled the
question of ito stay or not to stav," in
the mind of Mrs. Haven's guests.
never slept in such hot place IN nv
lite,' said Mrs. johnson, with sigh.
THE he'd wasn't long enough for me
to stretch myself out in, and the caves
touched my forehead" said Cousin Her.
bert, sadly
"The owls hooted all night in the
woods" said Aunt Sadie, "and kept dear
little Trip barking until he was hoarse."
wouldn't stay here if you would pay
me a thousand dollars u week" said Mrs.
Montagu Prout, thinking of her pink silk
party dresses and twelve-button kid
gloves.
"Well," said Uncle jerks, drily, st
amt just the location should have selec-
ted for summer residence, but amt
going off to leave Hugh and his wife
while can manage to be useful to them
SO the company departed, with various
adieux and insincere protestations Of re-
gard, and only Uncle jerks was left.
And then Mr.. Haven took his cigar out
from between his lips.
Uncle Jenks,' said he, suppose we
go up and see how the earpent rs and
painters are getting along with the con-
servatory up at the house I"
At what house ?" said Uncle jerks
Mine" said Mr.. Haven.
Don't you live hereP" said Uncle
jerks.
Not all the time" said Mr.. Haven.
I'VE only come here to accommodate
such of our relations as merely desire to
make a convenience of us"
Oh!' said Uncle jerks, a slow smile
beginning to break over his shrewd, brown
face,
And Mary Haven confessed that her
husbands advice had proved its own ex-
cellence.
Uncle jerks, the only one of the troop
who really cared two straws for them.
was with them still-the rest had all been
frightened away by the rusticities of the
Lake WOscOmac cottage.
" And | wish them bon voyage!'' said
Mr.. Haven, calmly.
So do l." agreed Mary.