The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-02-09

MY cheeny" said Aunt Grizzly.
"Well, I'm free to own that I think O
deal of that cheeny. But don't know,
Niece Arabella, how you came 10 hear OF
it,
cit 10 an heirloom in our family,
Aunt Grizzel," said Mrs. Symington,
exerting herself to speak loudly.
Hey? said Aunt Grizzy, with her
hand placed sounding-board fashion
behind her ear.
Every one must have heard of it,"
said Mrs. Symington, at the risk of
breaking blood-vessel in her throat.
Aunt Grizzy's wrinkled face fairly
beamed. Well, I calculate it amt
absolutely ugly" said she. "But still,
if you've really set your heart on it,
Niece Arabella- But it amt unpacked.
always putt it away this time O. year when
there amt no tea parties given"
Oh, never mind that" said Mrs.
Synington, her heart leaping within her
at this easy conquest of the fort. It
will be all the more convenient for me
to carry it. People always keep such
treasures put away in secret places"
" Hey ?" said Aunt Grizzly, and Mrs.
Symington repeated her words.
-" Oh, there amt no secret about it I"
said Aunt Grizzy, as she turned the hiss
ing sausages in the pan. " Only hain't
had time to overhaul it since you've
been here"
"Naturally2" interrupted Mrs. SYM
ington. "But l suppose it is oil in
good condition ?"
Sartinly, sartinly," said Aunt
Grizzly. "You can look at it yourself
if you like, Niece Arabella."
sob, that is not at all necessary"
said Mrs Symington. "But now as to
the price, Aunt Grizzy2"
81 amt one to haggle with my rela-
tions," said Aunt Grizzy, giving the f,y-
ing pan shake over the blazing sticks.
"Set your own price, Arabella, and if
don't like it I'll make bold to say So"
DO you think, Aunt Grizzy," hesi
tated the city lady, "that twenty-five
dollars would be reasonable compen-
sation for it ?"
"Well, yes," said Aunt Grizzy. "It
never cost me that, because"
"No, 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 a 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, l hain't no reason to COM
plain" said Aunt Grizzy. "Some folks
fancies cheeny. don't. A plates
plate to me, and q cups cup, and
you're kindly welcome to my set if
you've took notion to it."
Mrs. Symington went home the next
day, through wbirlwind of snow, hav.
ing been fed upon pork and sausages,
sausages and pork, at every meal since
her arrival, and retaining a very vivid
recollection of the Maine winds and
tempests.
" l 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 ece.lined fur gloves,
Aunt Gfizzel will never die natural
death; she'll be blown away, like
Mother Hubbard"
Bnt all these petty tribulations were
forgotten as thing out of mind on the
brilliant January morning on which, in
frolt of the sea-coal fire in her own
cozy drawing-rOom, she unpacked the
coarse wooden box wherein were con-
cealed the priceless treasures. of Aunt
Grizzy Grumpton's china.
Don't touch them, Stanhope," said
she. with small 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 a hammer and screw-driver
brandished in either hand. care these
-antiques"
Good gracious mel" gasped Mrs.
"What can this possibly
mean? z"
For the china which she unwrapped
from its coverings of coarse brown pa
per was cheap and common style.
such as is associated in the mind with
tea chromos, gaudy autographs and
statesmen of the Hebraic persus sion-
white, with band of imitation gold
around each piece, and coarse flower
sprawling below, as if it had been laid
on with miniature whitewash brush.
"This is never my Grandmother
Grumpton's old china" said Mrs.
bursting into tears, and
pushing the hideous atrocities away
with force which cracked two plates.
"pll write to Aunt Grizzy at once, and
this misunderstanding shall be cleared
up."
In the course of time an answer came
from Wild River, stiffiy written in pale
ink, and conveying in its tout ensemble
the general impression that Aunt Grizzly
had wrestled with it as if it had been q
fit of the Asiatic cholera.
DEAR NEIoE" lit said),-"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 Babcock bro't from Calcutta in
the Year 1896, 1 Gave it to his Neice
Helen Hosmer two Yeres ago for Pare
Of Gold Spectackles and a Fur Muff,
being SO Cracked and Old-fashioned
that it wasn't worth no more. But lam
told that she puts 1t on Ebbony Shelves
in her Best Parlor. But Helen never
was more than Half Witted, and your
Set witch you took home with you is
worth a Deal the most Money. So
you have the Best Bargain. With love,
remain, Your Aunt to Command,
"GRIzzEL GRUMPToN."
"Ahl' said MIR. Symington. who had
been listening intently to the contents