The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-12-30

| Sniffen, the tall servant-man, whom they
| kept because he was $50 much more
genteel than maid," brought in let
| ter.
"It's from Aunt Tabby," cried Mrs
Velveton, and she made haste to open it.
Out fell cheque for five hundred dol
lars, made payable to the order of We
META Velveton, and signed "Tabitha
Clark" Audrey picked it up with a
shrek of delight and. surprise.
The old darling!n she cried. It's
present for us, of course-a New
Year PRESENT.
. Nothing of the sortr' said Mrs. Vel
veton, with gradually elongating Wis
age. I" Listen to what she says, girls.
any DEAR NIECE VELvEToN: This is to
inform you that l have received tidings that
my grandniece and y ur cousin, Mabel Wilton,
has been lief an orphan at No - Norto
Street, Williams burg, aud that she is in great
want. | inclose a cheque for five hundred
dollars, in order that you may find her out and
purchase for her a respectable wearing on tit
and sewing machine. The residue of the
money, after the above Investments have bee
made, is to pay her eXpen es at your boa ding
house for such time as it may suffice. Pray
let me know when the money is all spe t. BY
able to both you d her. So no more at
present from Your Aunt
TABITHA CLARK"
CRANBERRY COTTAGE, Casford, Conn,
December lS.
"Flinty- old miserl'' cried
Audrey.
"OVr clearinghouse, indeedr' said
Muriel, looking satrically around at the
elegant drawing-room, where Sntfen
was just lighting the chandeliers wax
candles.
mabel WiItonr' thoughtfully re-
peated Mrs. Velveton, II don't know
nor care anything about her. A factory
girl, | suppo5e-or something of that
sort. I'll tell you what, girls, I've an
idea, I've a good mind to take the
money, and buy your dresses for New
Years. 1t really seems to have come to
us quite providentially. And then,
when New Years Day is over, can 90
to Williamsburg or Hoboken, or where
ever it is, and take your cousin a few
dollars and give hera little good advice,
and perhaps rent Il sewing-machine for
her for q month or two. Then the no.
ton of bringing her here, you see, is
simply preposterousn'
"Of course!" said Audrey,
10 be sure" chimed in Muriel.
The new dresses were purchased, and
Madame Elisette herself composed
them to the satisfaction of even the
Misses Velyeton. And Soprini received
crtrje blanche to set the table, and Vau-
DOR had the flower order, and Mrs
Velveton congratulated herself that
nothing was wanting.
New Years Day came, cold and clear,
and glittering with sparkling snow be-
low and heaven OF glorious blue above.
Ting Ealing" went the bell before
SniAen had buttoned on his new livery
coat
"Our first call" said Audrey, giving
erpale-blue train a shake-out "What |
antediluvian can it possibly be, to come
at this time?"
I'm sure | can't imagine" said
Muriel, posing her face into the regula-
ton delighted smile.
And in walked little, old woman, in
a snuff anlored suit and round spec
tacles, followed by Il tall, pale girl. in
shabby black.
Aunt Tabitha"' cried Mrs. Velveton.
who, in a d 3'0l'ets dye5s OF black satin |
and ruby necklace, hal iustswept into
the room.
YES said the old woman. looking
keeny around her-.'ves, YOU are right, |
Nenetia Aunt Tabitha and Mabel vii !
ton! How came | here? Why, Mabel,
in her loneliness and trouble, came out
to Cranberry Farm and appealed to me.
10 my amalement, she had never even
heard OF her cousins, the Velvetons.
The check was duly cashed, as NV
banker notified ne. But I said ia nv
self; Poor Venotia! clearinghouse
keeping is a grinding business. Ill 90
myself and see what the trouble is |
Upon my word, you i've in royal STYLE
here. With a man-sevant and mo-
quette carpets, and frocrs should saw
cost as much as fifty dollars apiece!
How many boarderS do you&eep? And
what do they pay you a weekp''
Mrs. Velveton burst into teas. The |
bitter sarcasm of aunt Tabby's Voice. the
hooking light of her eyes, were abso-
l9tely uncomfortable, especially as the
eiaoorately-costumed guests were be- |
S''iS W btllNt, anu SltEGu III dln1Le- J.
ment at the little, old, snuff-colored
woman and her tall, pale companion,
whose dresses were such a contrast to
tne blue dGnlTSSe and court trains OF the
Misses Velveton.
81 see,n said the old dame, crisply.
NO Venetia, don't begin to
make excuses. You have told
me lies enough already. | don't
want to be deceived any more.
You have deliberately robbed the orphan
and the fatherless to add to your VULGAR.
ostentation. You are such a fine ladY .'3
with low courtesy, 'that you are no
longer in need of your old aunts hard
earned savings; so | shall adopt Mabel
Wilton in your stead. young ladies.
And wish you Happy New Year, and
many OF 'em, for you will never see me
again!'
And so the old lady went away, with
Mabel Wilton in her train
Muriel and Audrey smiled and sim
pered through all that weary day: and
the next day; the doors Of the Velyeton
mansion were closed.
They finally had left town. Left their
debts-left their creditors-left all the
hollow, false, unreal castle of social
position which they had reared so
patiently around them, all these struo-
cling, ambitious, unprincipled years.
With Aunt Tabby's financial snnnlies
HsTaI L. -