The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-03-09

bits OF rancy work. an sicn nonsense.
'No-I was up with the sun, and as
happy and busy as bee all day long.
Father had one Of the largest farms in
the county; but help was skurce, an II
there was plenty to eat, there was
plenty of work. too-which amt by no
manner of means the wust thing that
can happen to a gal, or a boy either. I
hope you've brought up your daughter
an my namesake to work. Niece
Eliza"
Mrs. Mushroom was spared the per-
plexity of framing reply to this which
would accord with her aunt's rather
antiquated ideas as to the education Of
youth, bv the conversation being sud-
denly turned into different channel.
The sharp black eyes, that were
wandering around the room, spied q
pretty understanding girl in a remote
corner of the room sewing.
,'Who is that? One of the buttons, I
should say, or else her looks belle her."
1T is Cousin Williams girl" replied
Mrs. Mushroom. ''She hasn't any
home, SO took her out of charity"
cousin Williams gal; come to help
you out of charity?" said Aunt Sarah,
smiling benevolently upon the blushing
girl. ''Very kind of her, am sure"
Just like her father" added Aunt
Sarah, turning to Mrs. Mushroom; che
was always helping somebody. I've
heard your husband say, often and
often, that he didn't know what he
should have done when he first went in
A. 30 20 haA nnt haap 80 ND,xo.,S
William"
Mrs. Mushroom colored at this allu.
sion to what she gladly would have for
gotten, but her friendless dependent
cast grateful glance at the good lady
for this kindly mention Of the father she
loved and mourned.
Aunt Sally made no secret of her OBJ
ject in making this unexpected visit,
which was to get acquainted with her
namesake ana expected heiress.
abe sure and do all you can to please
her." said Mrs. Mushroom to her
daughter. I'VE are the nearest rela-
tives she has. and if you play your cards
well she will be likely to leave you the
greater part of her property. l don't
know what we shall do if she doesn't,
for we have been going beyond our in
come ever since you came out.
So Sarah Belinda did her best to Sc
cure the good opinion of Aunt Sally,
consoling herself for this forced COM
plaisance by ridiculing her peculiarities
of words and manner to her face, which
the old lady's deafness enabled her to
do with impunity.
This exhibition of wit and good
breeding, while it often brought n smile
to her mothers lips, aroused the secret
Indignation of Ellen Dutton, who grew
daily more and more interested in the
kind-hearted though eccentric old lady.
One day Mrs. Mushroom and her
daughter went out to make some calls,
leaving Aunt Sally in the care of Ellen.
On their return they were surprised to
find Mr.. Morton in the parlor, young
man of wealth and position, and for
whom Sarah Belinda had been angling.
though unsuccessfully, for some months.
dear me, mar whispered that
young lady; "what will Mr.. Morton
think to find that we have such vulgar
relations. And he so fastidious and ex-
clusivev'
In the meantime, Mr.. Morton, who
seemed to have had a very pleasant
chat with Aunt Sally and Ellen, rose to
take his leave.
Mrs. Mushroom followed him to the
door.
II am afraid you've been sadly an
noyed,". she said in low confidential
voice. "Aunt Sally, as we call her, is
distant relative. She's good old soul,
but SO odd and quite unused to the
society. that we frequent"
mo apology is needed madam" re-
turned the young man with look of
surprise; ''rve often heard my father
speak of Mrs. Hooker, who was very
kind to him once when he had an attack
of fever. am very glad to meet her."
"a fine young man." said Aunt Sally,
as Mrs. Mushroom returned to the other
end of the room, "and very like his
father"
81 can guess who he comes to see,"
she added, with SLY look at Ellen.
This observation completed the sum
of Sarah Belinda's Immature, especially
as she was conscious that Ellen was
looking unusually pretty; the bright
color in her generally pale cheeks and
sad eyes giving her new beauty.
"Bold-faced thingr' she muttered;
''she and Aunt Sally are just of piece.
1 do wish the old fool would go home; l
haven't taken bit of comfort since she
came.n
Apparently quite oblivious to this
benevolent wish, Aunt Sally began to
admire some lace and white satin rib
bons she had been buying.
81 mean to get some like it; just what
I've been wanting for q cap"
''Just think of heryellow face in any
thing so delicate" said Sarah Belinda
with giggle. ut would look like a
full-blown sunflower."
Aunt Sally happened to be looking
that way rs she said this.
Perhaps her suspicious were aroused.
"What did she sayP" she enquired of
Ellen.
Ellen colored and remained silent.
"Tell her that said it would be vast
1x, baoar,;nor - oai1 Sarah Ral;pHo