Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-12-27


were the Misses Velveton still. Mrs.
Velveton had far outrun her slender In
come; she was hopelessly in debt, and
haunted constantly by the horrible visions
of duns, bills and sheriff's sales; and now
Audrey and Muriel declared that they
must have new dresses for the coming
"New Years Day."
seYou must do with the lemon-colored
glaces, or the white gros grains, said
she. Gas for anything new, it's entirely
out of the question:
s'Then, y said Audrey, quietly, ''we1l
close the house, and direct Sniffen to say
that we're not at home. won't appear
at all if I can't appear like lady?n
Mrs. Velveton looked dismayed. New
Years day was notoriously "Great
Exhibition" day, 50 far as the gentlemen
were concerned. There was always
possibility that Muriel and Audrey might
make an impression upon some 'sgilded
youth on New Years day, which might
happily terminate in matrimony. Sc
Guiding themselves would be social sui
eide, and Mrs. Velveton was just open
ing her mouth to demonstrate, when
Sniffen, the tall servant-man, whom they
kept because he was $50 much more
genteel than maid, !" brought in letter.
eIt's from Aunt Tabby," cried Mrs.
Velveton, and she made haste to open it.
Out fell check for five hundred dol
lars, made payable to the order Of Vene-
tia Velveton, and signed "Tabitha Clark. "
Audrey picked it up with shrek of de-
light and surprise.
'sThe old darlingm she cried cts
present for US, of course-a New Years
presentm
Nothing Of the sort!n said Mrs. Vel
veton, with gradually elongating visage.
''Listen to what she says, girls. I"
seMY DEAR NIECE VELvEToN: This is to
inform you that have received things that
my grandniece and your cousin, Mable VIII
ton, has been left an orphan at No. = Morton
street, Williamsburg, and that she is in great
want. l inclose check for five hundred
dollars, in order that you may find her oHt
and purchase for her a respectable wearing
outfit and sewing machine The residue of
the money, after the above investments have
been made, is to pay her expenses at your
boarding house for such time as it may suf-
fee. Pray let me know when the money is
all spent By this plan, fatter myself that
l can be serviceable to both you and her. So
no more at present from Your aunt,
TABITHA CLARK
Cranberry Cottage, Casford, Conn, De
cember IS.
'Flinty hearted old miser p cried
Audrey.
"Our boarding-house, indeedn said
Muriel, looking satirically around at the
elegant drawing-room, where Sniffen was
just lighting the chandeliers wax can
dies.
Mabel WiltonF' thoughtfully re
peated Mrs. Velveton. "I don't know
nor care anything about her A factory
girl, I suppose-or something of that
sort. I'll tell you what, girls, I've an
idea. I've good mind to take the
money, and buy your dresses for New
Years. It really seems to have come to
us quite providentially. And then,
when New Years Day is over, I can go
to Williamsburgh or Hoboken, or where
ever it is, and take your cousin few
dollars, and give her little good advice,
and perhaps rent a sewing for
her for month or two. The notion of
bringing her here, you see, is simply pre-
posterousr
"Of coursen said Audrey.
o-be-sureln chimed in Muriel.
The new dresses were purchased, and
Madame Elisette herself composed
them " to the satisfaction of even the
Misses Yelveton. And Soprini received
carte blanche to set the table, and Vau-
doir had the flower order, and Mrs Vel
veton congratulated herself that nothing
was wanting.
New Years Day came, cold and clear,
and glittering, with sparkling snow be
low and heaven of glorious blue above.
Ting-a-ling went the bell before Sniff
fen had buttoned on his new livery-coat.
"Our first CALL" said Audrey, giving
her pale-blue train a shake out. "What
antediluvian can it possibly be, to come
at this timer
I'm sure can't imagine" said Mu-
riel, posing her face into the regulati on
delighted -roile.
And in walked little old woman in
snuff-colored suit and round spectacIes,
followed by tall, pale girl, in shabby
black
'sAunt Tabitha cried Mrs. velyeton,
who, in decollete dress of black satin
and ruby necklace, had ust swept into
the room
eyes" said the old woman, looking
keenly around her-''yes, you are right,
Venetia-Aunt Tabitha and Mabel Will
tom How came l here2 Why, Mabel,
in her loneliness and trouble, came out
to Cranberry farm and appealed to me.
I To my amazement she had never even
heard of her cousins, the Velvetons. The
check was duly cashed, as my banker
notified me- But Isaid to myself, Poor
venetia! Boarding house keeping is a
/ grinding business. I'll go myself and
see what the trouble is. Upon my word,
you live in royal style here. With man
servant and moquette carpets, and
frocks | should say cost as much as fifty
dollars apieccl How many boarders do
YOU keep9 And what do they pay you