Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-06-22
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.


The sun had gone down in red river o
threatening cloud; the storm which hat
been impending for some days had broker
at last, in wild whirlwnd of snow an,
tempest; and Mrs. Abraham Ackley ha,
just put the teakettle on for the evening
meal with Abigail, her daughter, stirrin,
a saucepanful of mush on the stove, an,
Maria, her niece. hard at work stltchin,
the upper parts of cheap cloth shoes for
manufacturer in the neighborhood. Fo
the Ackleys were thrifty family. Moth
ing was lost, nothing wasted, not ever
that slippery commodity-.time.
The Aekleys were feminine household
that night, for Abraham himself, tn
grizzled head of the family, had gone tt
the city to put in a claim for a pension
which, according to his ideas, ought tC
have been paid half century back, tt
some old Revolutionary aaeeGtor or other
st amt 70 pc done," said Abraham
winking his watery blue eyes, mot ever
by the United States Government itself
So it happened that Abigail had fodder
ed the cattle. fed the fowls, and look cd th,
barn door, coming in, all powdered owe
with snow, her middle aged nose blut
with cold.
Never mind, girls said Mrs. Ackley
with subdued chuckle, when we inheri
your Cousin Jones' property we shan
none of US have to- work no more. We cal
be playin' with peacock feather fans. Die
you get the best chamheg ready, Marier p
"Marier" gave grunt in the atfirma
tive as she bit off the end of her thread.
II didn't light the Ere yet," said she
Thought 1t wern't no use in burnin' uE
good hickory logs until we knowed we wa
eoin' to want 'em."
Scarcely was the sentence we'll out O.
her mouth, when q tattoo sounded loudly
on the warped PANELS of the unpaintet
door.
Lands sake alive J" said Abigail, drop
ping the wooden spoon into the mush-pot
while Maria Strengthened herself up will
a jerk. sits Cousin Jones alreadyl !"
"Qnick I" said Mrs. Ackley, in ahrill
stage whisper. PUT the mush in the closet
and fetch out the cold chicken and rasp
berry preserves; and the best cups. Abb.
gail and the three-tined forks, and tn
tablecloth with the border of daisies"
And she turned to the door with far
ing candle in her hand.
sis this Mrs. Abe Ackley's?" demand
ed a shrill voice. II was told she LIVED
half way up Pine Crags."
"Ain't thia Mrs. Jones ?" said Mrs
Ackley, in her softest accents.
'That's the tioketl' said the stranger
DO open the door and let me in. 1 ain
NJ burglar, nor yet sneak thief.''
'I'm delighted to see you." said Mrs
Ackley. do pray walk in, and let th,
girls take your things. Marier, Abigail
this is Mrs. Jones, as you we heard so mucl
of. Your room will be warm Directly
We've set great store by your CONN.,
do assure you"
"You're very kinda said Mrs. Jones
shaking the snow off her shabby shawl ant
pinehed silk bonnet. II amt no beggar
l calculate to pay my own way.''
The three women smiled obsequiously
They had been given to understand that
Cousin Jones from New York city was
very eeeentgic-that she particularly diu.
liked any alnsion to her relationship, aud
chat there was no accounting for her va
flous peeuliarities.
"Of COURSE" said Mrs., Ackley, "that
must be as you please.''
II don't chose to be behoden to any
one." stiff1y added the peW-found rela
tive. ="
'sCf course not,'' said Maria, helping
her off with her rubbers. "Unele Abra
ham will be sorry that he ism here to vel
GONE you.''
II GAN stand il if he ean," said the ole
lady. warming her gaunt hands before the
cheerful blaze. ''Eh, do you live as higt
as this every day ?" as she saw the liberia
preparations for supper,
I'VE are ECONOMICAL people,'' said Mrs
Ackley, alphabetically; 1--WE raise our owr
poultry, and Abigail picked the raspber
ries last summer ON the mountain, sn6
changed off eggs for sugar at Martins
grocery store at the crossroads and thu
tea was present from old Capt. Greer
who is in the China trade, to pay Ackley
for breakin' the roam colt. So you see
Eyes, see." said Mrs. Jones, noddine
her head jerkily, like mandarin some
what out Of order.
Managing people you bel You von1
never come TO be boarded out like town
poor, reckon"
II hope not," said Mrs. Ackley, devout
ly:
s'The idea r. said Miss Abigail,
swell, things is ordered differently In
this world,' observed Mrs. Jones. s.It's
uphill with some and down-hill witt
others. But guess can get along with
you'll