The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-05-31
SELECTED SKETCH.
A DOUBLE MISTAKE,
A letter for YOU. Aunt Thankful, .

sunshine, flashed into the room where Mise
Thankful Moore sat knitting--a pretty, girl.
ish face, with saucy dimple in either cheek
and merry sparkle in the laughing eyes
mammoth blue-ehecked apron, much too
large for her, quite enveloped her slender
form, and both sleeves were fastered up
above the elbows, displaying two plump,
snowy arms, the sight of which would send
thrills of envy to the heart of any ballroom
belle. f
clay 1t on the table, child, and go back
to your mornings work " t
"Who do you suppose it's from 2" ques-
toned the girl, turning the letter over, and
viewing the superscription curiously.
"Pll see soon's ever I've knit TO the seam
needle. make it pint never to lay things
! aside ALI iaaa nadsais, mates What hap
pens"
The girl colored consciously
"Oh, that everlasting seam needle be-
heve sometimes You knit past 1t just to keep
me waiting' aH
Harriet"
Miss Thankful never used this name in
addressing her niece except when extremely
displeased. Slowly and carefully she folded
her work, sticking the needles firmly and Sc
curely into the ball; then wiping her specta-
cles an unnecessary length of time on her
spotless apron, abe adjusted them in their
proper position across her nose, and took up
the letter
Meanwhile, Harriet had flown back to the
kitchen, where she gave vent to her impa-
tience by making a great Gathering among
the breakfast dishes.
"She's the dearest old auntie in the
world ~ she said "but she does try me so
with her awful precision. She'd like to have
me spend the rest of my life in the unvary
ing routine of the old family clock on the
mantel yonder. But can't; I'm too full of
life and activity. want something new,
and dearly as love her, I'd like a change
once in while. Aunt Thankful and the
old clock are exactly alike. The tick, tick,
tick of the clock, and the click, click, click
of her knitting needles, are about the only
sounds hear, except the occasional racket 1
make just by way of variation. The clock
is perfect model of accuracy and prompt
ness SO is she. They never make o mis-
take or go wrong"
In the next room, Miss Thankful Moore
had taken the letter from the envelope, and
had read it through twice before comment
ing upon it. Then dropping it into her lap,
her face assumed thoughtful expression,
her eyes took on a dreamy look; and no
wonder, for she was gazing far back into the
past-full forty years.
Strange, strange I" she murTnured, med
itatively, that Mehetable should have writ
TO me after all these years. She's moved to
Brambleville quite lately, and wants to re-
| new our acquaintance, she says. Only TWEEN
ty-five miles from here, an The cars run
right past her house, an mine, too. Seems
most like bein' neighbors. She's widow,
poor thing an her children are all dead an
gone bu, Nell Well, well haven't been
called upon to pass through them Affections,
an reckon, ON the hull, as how I'm about
as contented as most o. women o. my age.
I'm right glad that she hasn't any boys.
Her Nell must be quite girl. Mehetable's
every bit as old as am, an Nell's her
youngest, she said. wouldn't wonder II
she's about Harrie's age. Dear me how
that girl does fret. She's so lonesome /
don't knows l blame her either. I was
young an clipper once myself Mehetable
writ an invite for me to come and spend a
week or two with her, couldn't think Of
leaving home for SO long q time. Things
would go to rack an ruin If did But it
would be real treat for Harrie, an could
run down an stay couple o. days when
she's ready to come home. II Mehetable's
as glib talker az she used to be, we can
talk up the past forty years in two days, an
not half try. It's blessed thing that she q
only got daughter. II she had grown-up
sons, I'd never think Of lettin' Harrie go
for she is pretty, there's no denyin' that.
Yes, I'll answer Mehetabls's letter right of,
an ask her if Harrie may come for . week
or two. It'll be change for her, an, like
| as not, she'll be more contented after she
gets home again"
! "a letter for you, mother, and the very
superscription Is as good as photo. of the
writer. ! can imagine prim, digniHed
| spinster of uncertain age, to whom the least
shadow of indeccrum is an objectionable
| sin. Mrs Mehetable Morton! Why, little
mother Hetty, your very name looks unnat-
ural it is so painfully precise. / wonder II
she, accepted Your invitation to make us
visit. I hope not. for wen have to drop all
pet names while she's hers. She'll Meheta-
BILE you and Nelson me- wouldn't wonder
but that she considers it altogether too famil-
lar to address people by their given names,
and we will be at once promoted to Mr. and
| Mrs.
Do let me take the letter, Nell I'm 30
anxious to read what she has written. She
used to be my dearest friend, years ago,
when we were little girls. I haven't seen
her for a great many years. All, just as I
thought She can't leave home for any
length of time but she writes that Peters
child--Peter was her brother, two or tnres
years younger than herself-is with her.
She thinks that the child is lonely, and needs
change quite badly. If it win not be Q
bother to US, she will send Harrie down for
week or two, and she will come at the end
of that time and make short visit"
Mel puckered up his lips, and gave vent to
long, expressive whistle.
"A little boys next thing to an old maid.
What win we do with the small tornado,
mother?"
"Oh, Mel youth have to amuse him in
some way AS for me, rather like the idea
of having child about me once more. I've