The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-03-31
Hey ?" said Aunt Grizzly, and Mrs.

Oh, there amt no secret about IL +
said Aunt Grizzy, as she turned the hiss
ing sausages in the pan. Only hahn
had time to overhaul it since you'y,
been here"
Naturally" interrupted Mrs. Sym
ington. "But 1 suppose it is oil II
good condition p
"sartinly, sartinly," said Aun,
Grizzy. "You can look at it yourself
ii you like, Niece Arabella."
"Oh. that is not at all necessary, y
said Mrs Symington. "But now as to
the price, Aunt Grizzy2"
"I amt one to haggle with nv rela.
tions," said Aunt Grizzly, giving the fry.
ing pan shake over the blazing sticks.
"Set your own price, Arabella, and il !
don't like it I'll make bold to say so."
"Do you think, Aunt Grizzly" hesi-
tated the city lady, "that twenty-five
dollars would be reasonable compen-
sation for it ?"
"well, yes" said Aunt Grizzly. "It
never cost me that, because"
mo, Of course not" hurriedly inter-
posed Mrs. Symington, and she pro-
duced the twenty-five dollars, ali in
gold half eagles. with the exultant feel
ing OF one who has picked precious
diamond out OF the dust. I" But
should wish you to feel that I had dealt
fairly with you in matter like this"
"Well, / hain't no reason to COM
plain" said Aunt Grizzly. "Some folks
fancies cheeny. don't. A plates a
plate to me, and cups cup, and
you're kindly welcome to my set il
you've took notion to it."
Mrs. Symington went home the next
day, through whirlwind OF snow, hav.
ing been fed upon pork and sausages,
sausages and pork, at every meal since
her arrival, and retaining very vivid
recollection Of the Maine winds and
tempests.
II don't think I'd go back there
again, even for set of old china" said
Mrs. Symington, as she seated herself
on the velvet cushions Of the palace-car
and shrank shiveringly inside Of her
seal dolman and fleece lined fur gloves.
"Aunt Grizzel will never die a natural
death; she'll be blown away, like
Mother Hubbard"
But all these petty tribulations were
forgotten as thing out Of mind on the
brilliant January morning on which, in
frolt of the sea-coal fie in her own
cozy drawing-room, she unpacked the
coarse wooden box wherein were con-
cealed the priceless treasures Of Aunt
Grizzly Grumpton's china.
Don't touch them, Stanhope," said
she, with snail shrek OF dismay.
"Men are so dreadful careless. Oh,
here they are on the top, all wrapped
in separate pieces OF paper"
Eh ?" said Mr.. Symington, stand
ing by with hammer and screw-driver
brandished in either hand. "Are these
-antiquesT
"Good gracious mel" gasped Mrs.
Symington. "Whnt can this possibly
meanf"
For the china which she unwrapped
from. Ire novarinqs of- ooa-sa brown ma,
such as is associated in the mind with
tea chromos, gaudy Autographs and
salcsmen of the Hebraic persuf sion
white, with band of imitation gold
around each piece, and coarse flower
sprawling below, as if it had been laid
on with q miniature whitewash brush.
"This is never my Grandmother
Grumpton's old china" said Mrs.
Symington, bursting into tears, and
pushing the hideous atrocities away
with force which cracked two plates.
"l'll write to Aunt Grizzly at once, and
this Misunderstanding shall be cleared
up"
In the course OF time an answer came
from Wild River, stifiiy written in pale
ink, and conveying in its tout ensemble
the general impression that Aunt Grizzy
had wrestled with it as If it had been a
fit of the Asiatic cholera.
"DEAR NEIcE" liz Eaid).-" With
Love and duty / take up my Pen to in
form You that the China is all right
Bot from Smelly & Pipkin. in Boston,
last November, at Eight (sS) the Set,
to be transported at my own Dammage
As for my Mothers old Set, witch
Captain Bsbcock bro't from Calcutta in
the Year 1906. Gave it 10 his Neics
Helen Hosmer two Yeres ago for Pare
OF Gold Spectackles and IL Fur Muff.
being SO Cracked und Old-fashioned
that it wasn't worth no more. But lam
told that she puts il on Ebbony Shelves
in her Best Parlor. But Helen neve,
was more than Half-Witted and youi
Set witch you took home with you ID
worth O Deal the most Money. Sc
you have the Best Bargain. With love
/ remain, Your Aunt to Command,
"GRIzzEL GRUMPToN."
"Ahl" said Mr.. Symington, who had
been listening intently to the contents
OF this much blotted and besmeared
piece OF manuscript, sealed with Aunt
Grizzy's thimble top, and still retaining
q subtle odor of fried sausages and grid
die cakes. ga seal dolman at thret
hundred dollars, a thirteen-dollar hat
O pair Of fifteen-dollar fur gloves, 9
ffty-dollar journey and a twenty-five
dollar investment, all for set OF chini
which you can buy anywhere on tht
Bowery or Grand street for ten dollars
How does that look, my dear, as viewed
in the light of political economyp"
And Mrs. Symington answered only
by her tears.
"There, there, Bella, don't fret" said
her husband, kindly. "Let the thing
go for what it is worth. Forget it,"
"But can't help If .fretting," sobbed
Mrs. Symington. "One thing is quite
certain, however, never will be such
q fool again. I will MT spend another
cent for ceramics until I have econo-
mized enough to pay for this outrageous
swindle."
Gently, my dear, gently" said hel
husband. Now you are going too far
Aunt Grizzel was honest enough. You
said you wanted her china, and she sold
you her china ut your own terms"
But didn't mean this china" SAID
Mrs. Symington.
"How was she to know what yor
meantf" said Mr.. Symington. "Chins
Is china, and to me one piece is as good
as another"
And Mrs. Symington was too broker
down and spiritless even to argue ths
point with him.-Bazar.