The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-01-18
WOMANS WORK,
Something About Aunt Helen--- Home
Hints and Suggestions.

The summer had vanished, the autumn, with
its dreamy beauties, its royal lavishness OF
color, had come and gone, and yet the most
watchtul eye had been unable to discover any
sign of life in the square, cOmfOrtablC-lOOking
home of the AthertonS. When at last the frostS
had begun to lend Crispness to the air, and
spread a mating of cleaning crystal over the
greenswards, boxes and trunks began to arrive
and were deposited before the lOng-watched
threshold; finally. tho family carriage itself
was driven mp, and one by one the occupants
were seen to descend and pass within the heavy
door, which pitilcssiy closed upon many an
alerJ-cycd ncighbor.
The Atherton home was an inherited family
mansion, and was placed in the middle of as
pretty Il park as ever encirCed q city residence.
The present family consisted of hr. and Mrs.
Ashley Athcrton, two silver haired people,
whose bearing was always stately, but whose
acts were full of gentleness and whose words
were full of charity and kindness. Next
came Aunt Helen, a bTown-haired, sOft-eyed
woman, drifting, as every one knew, away
from the twentes, but how near to the forties
no one knew and no one cared for the spring
tide of life thrObbed in her heart. Her checks
were rounded and dimplcd, and her mouth be-
tokened neither strength nor weakness in eX-
cess. We knew secret about Aunt Helen.
Many time had we seen her, when the busy
days were over, go away to her room, sink into
T,
after hour, the grave eyes having a look
in them, as though she saw into something
which other people did not, or could not see.
Beside her bed hung q little tablet, on which
was traced that beautiful promise: "And lie
shall give his angels charge concerning thee"
aud on her writing table lay a little testament,
Worn and marked, into which she always
looked after these hours of silent thought.
Through these stolen glimpscs we had learned
II.l. mott ND
strength for her battles in life. Next in i'm
portance among the Athcrtons was Master
Theodore, Familiarity known as "Teddie," Il
ruddy-taccd, fun-lOving boy, who mcrCilessy
patTonized demure little lady of seven named
Minette but by Teddic nicknamed "Tabbie,"
for reasons which may hereafter appear.
Rickele, a newly-imported Suabian girl, and
Johnston, the butler, completed the household.
One evening, soon after their return, the
family were gathered i'll the library, Il bright
fire glOwed in the CRATE, the crimson shades
were drawn over the lamps, and the
family sat grouped about the table, on which
stood a simnerug teapot and a dainty after
dinner tea service. All eyes were turned to-
ward Aunt Helen, whose face was lighted with
more than ordinary enthusiasm. BY the even
ing post there had come TO Mrs. Atherton a
letter from her favorite niece. Ethel Glenn, a
bright, WhOlesoms-natured girl of eighteen.
W
"And now, my dear Auntie, have set my
heart upon a fine project. As you know, / shall
be mistress in the spring of my own home.
Philip is not rich, having yet little else besides
his talents, his firm, manly character, his
courage, and his love for me. But the first
three OF these may be fortune to young man
if he have an earneSt-minded, helpful wife.
This is what wish to be to Philip. l want TO
become awoman such as the earlier ages knew,
f..p hat r. to fl,c nd
needy, but to him who is soon to be king in my
home as he now is in my life. How am l TO
bring this about? Lately my thoughts have
been constantly turning toward Aunt Helen,
who always seems SO wise, so calm, so capable
of helping others. You must remember the
delightful Sir Arthur Helps Series, which we
all once read together? Now, have been won
dering if Aunt Helen can be persuaded to play
in our little circle this winter some such role
as that played by Sir Arthur among his circle
Of friends. Would she not read us a series of
papers on all subjects which could help me and
others in the founding Of q happy and refined
home? This would bring Us into 2 vide and
rich field, aud one in which think you and
Uncle would like to wander with Aunt Helen
as guide. Of you as allies, | am almost sure in
advance, and in order TO compensate Teddie
and Table for any rights which they might
lose by this plan, l will teach Teddie ali the
new games which | know, and buy Mistress
Tabbio fresh hou-bOns every day. Tuesday |
shall be with You!
AHectionately, your niece ETHEL
"Aud what is TO be the return for Heens
philanthropy?" asked Mr. Atherton, with a
glance Of pride toward the quiet woman oppo-
site him.
81 am believer enough in Margaret Fullcrs
motto, TO lire IS to gy0r,' to find my return in
the advantage that would result to me individ.
l,allNy in, ne cgrrviu.r ont of HI hplS Tl2n -
answered Aunt Helen.
There is less selfish aspect than that, "
said Mrs. Anterior, smiling. Helen will find
her return now, rs at other times, in Obcying
the law: Do good unto others
Meanwhile a low conversation had been
progressing between Tcddic and Table.
at Ill be Scrumpous 10 have Cousin Ethel
here this winter" Table was saying, as the
elders paused.
"scrumptious! Oh, Table! The boys in
the street say that" cried Teddie.
"And that's Just where | heard it," promptly
retor,cd Miss Table. Tho other day when
me and nurse was walking i'll the park"
Teddio groancd. Say uhcn nurse and WERE
walking in the park, Tabbic.
"Vhct nurse aud / WERE walking in the
park" repeated Tabbie composcdiy smoothing
down her dolls 1lounces, the big gcn'lmau, a
friend OF nurses, came up and walked along
with us. He often walks with lis, and when
he does, nurse always gives me paper OF bon
bOns, so that can muse myself, she says. It's
very lovely in her, I'm sure"
But what's that to do with Scrampti0uS?"
demanded Tcddic
I'm coming to that Well, just as I had
opened my paper OF bon-bOns, two dirty little
boys in ragged clothes came up to me. Nurse
was so busy talking with the big gen'lman that
she didn't notice US. One Of the boys said, |
like goodies, TOO, but ] never get any. We're
too poor for such things. You're rich, 'spoScY
and the other boy kept looking At me, and then
al my bon -bons ard felt so sorry for the little
fellows that | gave them the whole paper and
told them where l live, and that they should
come here some day and I'd get mamma to give
them something nice. Then the first boy
threw his cap way up in the mir, and called
out, Oh, you're n scrumptious las5ic! and then
he pulled the other boy away, and when they
got to the corner the same boy threw his cap
up again, and called out Three cheers for the
little woman in the pretty blue Eat!''
Teddie looked grave. &" don't think, Tab
bic" he began
"Now, you needn't scold, Tcddie. I mean to
grow up TO be Just such woman IS mamma
, ! intend to like everybody, and have everybody
to like me. l am sorry for all the ragged little
children that / see in the Streets and | wish
that every time | go ont | could throw bon
bonS at them, just As the people do in the car
niva!s And ! don't think that ScrHmptiOus is
such a bad word, either"
Tabbic said all this very stoutiy; usually she
stood somewhat in awe of her critical young
brother.
"The child is right" commented Mr.. Ather-
ton in Il low tone 10 his wife But" he added
! bao,t .,r,t 4, Ia, cd nv - hra1 g