Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-03-31


lose my return ticket by steamer, but
I'm sure Mr.. Symington won't grudge
it to me when he hears how I've been
pitched and tumbled about on the
ocean in peril of my life"
And she put on her black brocaded
silk, her new plumed hat, and the seal
dolman, and took the northWard- bound /
train, resolved to present an imposing |
to Aunt Grizzy Gumpton |
when she should reach Wild River !
station
It was very coda dull. bitter, lead |
en- cold-with the ground frozen like |
rock, the streams bound in ice, the sky |
gray and bitter. with an ineffable
gloom. Aunt Grizzel Grumpton lived
in little one-storied house on the top
of an uncompromising hill, where a
solitary cedar tree was twisted around
like corkscrew with the force of the
east wind, and the few lean sheep hud-
died behind the rocks in shiyering
groups, picturesque, but far from COM
Portable. And even after they had
come in sight Of the old building whose
one coat of red paint had long ago
been worn away by the suns and rains
Of well-nigh century, Mrs. Syming
ton had serious doubts whether the
one-horse sleigh in which she was
jerked and joited up the incline would
not be blown sheer away by the rush
Of the tempest before they could reach
their destination.
However, it wasn't. And once in
Aunt Grizzy's cottage things were very
/ g. l.
throated chimney, filled with moss
fringed logs, such as the fancy of city
dwellers is apt to despict in the solitary
farmhouse. People in Maine know
better than that. But there was an inn
mense cook stove, which heated the
room to an atmosphere Of eighty odd
degrees; the cracks in the window
sashes were pasted over with brown
paper, and sand bags were laid on the
top lodges, while double rag carpet
covered the floor, and wood box heap
ed to the very top stood in the angle of
the chimney piece. Aunt GrizZy's
dress was Of blue homespun flannel,
and she wore worsted hood pulled
over her ears, and little plaid shawl
folded over her breast, and she was adj
"Hey?o whenever any one addressed
her.
"My cheeny?p said Aunt Grizzy.
well, I'm free to own that | think a
deal Of that cheney. But don't know,
Niece Arabella, how you came to near
Of il"
1T is an heirloom in our family, Aunt
Grizzel," said Mrs. Symington, exert
ing herself to speak loudly.
''Hey?" asked Aunt Grizzy, with her
hand placed sounding board fashion be
| hind her ear.
Every one must have heard of il, !"
said Mrs. Symington, at the risk Of
breaking blood-vessel in her threat
| Aunt Grizzy's wrinkled face fairly
beamed. "Well, calculate itain't alb.
solutely ugly" said She But still, il
you've really set your heart on it,
Niece Arabella. But it amt unpacked
always put il away this time o year
when there amt no tea parties given.
i "Oh,never mind that, said Mrs. Sym
lngton, her heart leaping within hoi
at this easy conquest Of the fort II
will be all the more convenient for me
to carry it. People always keep such
treasures put away in secret places.
Hey" said Aunt Grizzy, and Mrs
| Symington repeated her words.
"0h, there amt no secret about it p
said Aunt Grizzy, rs she turned the hiss
ing sausages in the pan. "0nly hahn
had time to overhaul it since you've
been here"
Naturally interrupted Mrs. Sym
ington. But ! suppose it i all ingooe
condition r.
"6artinly, sartinly,'' said Aunt Grizzy
You can look at it if you like, Nice,
Arabella"
ooh, that is not necessary, said Mrs
Symington. "But now as to the price
| Aunt Grizzy?"
Il amt one to haggle with my re
lations," said Aunt Grizzy, giving til,
frying pan shake over the blazIn,
sticks. ''Set your own price, Arabella
and if ! don't like il III make bold i
say 50"
"Do you think, Aunt Grizzy," hesitat
cd the city lady, that twenty dol
lars would he Il reasonable compensa
ton for il 2"
well, yes said Aunt Grizzy. Il
never cost me that, because
No, Of course not, hurriedly inter
posed Mrs. Symington, and she pro
dueed the twenty-five dollars, all in GOLD
half eagles, with the exultant feeling .
one who has picked II precious damon,
out Of the dust. But should wish yol
to feel that | had dealt fairly with yol
III i matter like this.
well, | hain't no reason to com
plain, said Aunt Grizzy. Some folk
fancies cheeny. don't. A plates
| plate to me, and a cups Il cup, an,
you're kindly welcome to my set
you've took notion to it,
Mrs. Symington went home the mex
day, through whirlwind Of snow
having been fed upon pork and saus
ages, and sausages and pork, at ever,
meal since her arrival, and retaining
very vivid recollection Of the Marel
winds and tempests.
Il don't think Id so back there again
even for set Of old china" said Mrs
Svmington, rs she seated herself q
the velvet cushions OF the palace-ea
and shrank shiyeringly inside of ne
seal dolman and fleece lined fur gloves
Aunt Gri xel will never die 4 natura
death she'll be blown away. Xix
Mother Hubbard"
But all these petty tribulations wer
forgotten rs 4 thing ont Of mind on tn
brilliant January morning on which. i
front Of the sea-coal fire in her owl
coy drawing room. she unpacked til
coarse wooden box wherein were con
cealed the priceless treasures Of Aun
Grizzv Grumpton's china.
Don't touch them, Slanhope, sal
she, with small shrek Of dismay
Men are 50 dreadful careless. oh
here they are on the top, Ill wrappe
i III seperate pieces If paper
"Eh ?" said Mr.. Symington, standin
, ~ with hammer and screw-drive
brandished iii either hand Are thes
antiques?'
Coed gracious me Z gasped Mr.,
Symington. What can this possibl
+ mean 2"
!, For the china which she unwrappe
, from its coverings Of coarse brow
paper was cheap and common style
, such rs is associated III the mind wit
tea chromos. gaudy Autographs an
with hand Of imitation gold aroun
each piece, and coarse flower spraw
ing below, as if ii had been laid on wit
4 n,ipiatura whitpwaSh hruSh