Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-10-25
AUNT PHILENA'S MONEY.

little nests agree" as we are told by tn
poet. In this respect the Jenkinsol
family differed from birds in their littl
nest" upon this balmy Septembe
morning.
Il won't have her in the houser' SAT-
Mrs. Jenkinson, who was a large fe
male, with a light color, swapping blacl
eyes, and lips which were habituall,
compressed until they were made mer
thread.
"Madam," said Mr.. Jenkinson,
little man with head smooth and shin
ing as a billiard-ball, a red nose and i;
stiff moustache. "you will do as orde
youl Who is the master of this hous,
you or me?'
The lady burst into tears.
"JenkinsOn,h she sobbed, 'you are {
brute! To speak SO to your Wv
wife!'
"Well, then, my dear, y said Mr.. Jen
kInson, ''do conduct yourself like {
sensible woman! Extend your hospi
tally in a gracious manner to my
Aunt Philena."
"But-but," sputtered Mrs Jenkin.
son, 81 don't want any Aunt Philenas
here! I've only one spare chamber,
and that / need for Alexandria school
mate, Miss DE Bourgoyne.
s'But what are we to dop" said Mr..
dickinson. '.She has written that she
is coming. Can turn my fathers only
sister out of my house?"
Cant we have her boarded some
where in the neighborhood?" hazarded
Mrs. Jenkinson.
"she is d Jenkinson." said the gentle
man, loftily. "The Jenkinsons never
endure Sights
MA, don't be a foolr' said Miss
Alexandra, drawing her mother cauti-
ously aside. you know perfectly well
thatpa always will have his own way.
Let Aunt Philena come. You can
easily manage matters that she won t
want TO stay very long Put the lumpy
mattress in the guest chamber, and
take down the paper curtain on the
east side, so that the morning light
will shine in; and chain up BacchuS
under the window Bacchus howls all
night; and don't have anything for dim
ner but salt pork and potatoes the
whole time she is here"
Mrs. Jenkinson smiled family.
But, Allie," said she, ''if your pa"
"Hush!' said Alexandra, imperiously;
"I'll manage itr'
And so Aunt Philena arrived ut the
Jenkinson homestead "a little, withered
old woman, with dried-up face ike an
Egyptian mummy, much-worn silk
dress, and frilled cap.
How caiI NIica Dhflana stSn fhis 10
my niece by marriage, is it? What's
her Eliza? Well, Eliza, if you'll
take an old woman's advice you won't
wear such good gowns about the house
every day. And this is your darter, ehP
Alexander? Lands sake alive! What
did you give her boys name for?
She's nice-looking cal enough, but |
don't think gals used to wear strings
o beads about their necks when was
young. And store carpet. too, on the
floor! Hain't ye never any rags that
you could weave up? | could show
Alexander how to manage a loom easy
if"
The heiress of the Jenkinsons bit her
lip.
Alexandra, aunt, if you please" she
vcntured to suggest.
1T used to be Alexander when | was
u "a" said this terrible old woman,
land I'm too old a dog TO learn new
tricks. Where's Hosea? I've came
here especially to see Hosea about the
of my money"
"Eh?' said Mrs. Jenkinson her apa-
thctic face suddenly Frightening into
new interest
Aunt Philena chuckled.
80 you thought | was poor" said
she. "Well, | amt quite beggar,
Eliza, and what little I've got don't
intend to squander in. wildcat bonds
aud watered stocks Hosea used to be
a good business man. Tm goin' to
consult him.
Dear Aunt phiena, do sit down
and have cup of tea before you go to
your room, said Miss Alexandra. hur-
riedly opening the caddy where the
best Young Hyson was kept 'rm
sure you must be dreadfully tired with
that odious railway Journey
Well aSsented Aunt Philena, 81
don't say but what cup of tea would
be refreshing. No sugar, please, and
the least bit of milk. Cake? Well,
jest ittlei'i
II have been thinking" said Mrs.
"that Hosea and me could
just rs well sleep up stairs if you would
prefer the bedroom of the hall, Aunt
Philena. It's very cool and comfort
able this hot weather, and then there
The stairs saved. =
"Well." complacently remarked Miss
Philcna, Il be rather rheumaticky;
and if 'twouldn't be no great incon-
yenience to you, Eliza, | would prefer
TO sleep down stairs.
Alexandra FASTENED to dress the bed
with RULED pillow-cases and the best
linen sheets. Mrs. Jenkinson rushed
ont of the back door to catch chicken
for dinner, and Hosea sat amiably
down to listen to Aunt Phiena's finan-
cial perplexities.
"Ihvestments, eh?n said he, feeling
his long moustache. "Why, Aunt
Philena, didn't know yon had prop
erty to investn'
Folks don't always know every
thing said the old lady, oraculary.
Left to you. eh?' said her nephew.
"Some on it," said Miss Philena;
land some on it I've saved up-here
penny and there penny. And what
little I've got, mean to hold on to-
"Wheae is it now?' insinuatingly
questioned MIR. Jenkinson.
Don't you wished you knew?" said
Aunt Philena. closing one eye, and put
ting her head on one side like an elderly
That's neither here nor
there, Hosea. What | want is an in
vestment."
Government bondsn' suggested her
nephew.
don't pay interest enough" re-
torted Miss Philena, with a grimace.
six per cent. bond and mortgage?"
There's always the possibility of
foreclosing, said Miss Philena. .'Aud
| don't want no real estate on my
hands
"Chesapeak and Ohio Rairoad?"
Il haven't no faith in your railroad
bonds, said Miss Philena, obviously.
adams Express stock?'
"Ain't to be had f"
"Bank shares?N
The premiums is too high, shrewd-
" nodded the little old lady.
"Well, declare | don't know what
to sayr' said the puzzled Mr.. Jenkin-
son. ''P'raps if You could wait a
little
''Oh, yes, III waitr' said MISS Phil
ena; "and you can think 1t over.
P'r'aps the president of the Mullen
stalk Bank, here. may know of some
good investment. But it must be good,
mind you, Hosea. or I'll have nothing