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

window and see who this lisp" exclaimed
Sarah Belinda Mushroom. ''Did ever
any one see such an antiquated speci-
men of humanity just look at the
huge poke-bonnet and the queer cloak.
that comes nearly to the heels. The
ooachman is taking of an old hair
trunk. l do believe she is coming here"
Reused from the comfortable nap. in
which she always INDUCED after dinner,
By these EXPLANATIONS, Mrs. Mushroom
feft the sofa and came to the window.
The subject of them, . queer-looking
cid lady, very oddly dressed, stood on
the step in front of the door.
She held an umbrella and n bandbox
In her hand, and had reticule on
elther arm.
She was talking loudly and gesticulat-
ing violently with her umbrella to the
driver, who was taking out of the coach
any number of parcels and bundles, ard
who evidently did not know what to
make of her.
The look of languid curiosity in Mrs.
Hushroom's countenance quickly chang
ID to establishment, and then dismay.
at can't be!-yes. it is; as true as
Pm alive, it's Aunt Sally Hooker!'
"Why. ma, thought Aunt Sally was
nch."
$50 she is; she could buy two or three
ssch houses as this, and live in the first
style. Grandfather left her large
property, and so did her husband"
81 wonder what possessed her to
come here? There she is humping on
he door, with her umbrella. Doesn't
she know enough to ring the bellp Do,
ma, 90 to the door before the servants
hear her. Goodness! there is Mrs.
Norton opposite putting her head out
Of the window to see what is the
natter"
Mrs. Mushroom hurried to the door,
but John had got there before her, and
had reused the old lady's ire by asking
her, with contemptuous stare, why
she didn't 90 to the other door?
"What dye mean, you young jacka-
napes. by telling me to go round to the
kitchen door?" she exclaimed, with an
Indignant flourish of the blue cotton
umbrella.
Mortified rs Mrs. Mushroom was at
this exposure, she was too anxio IS to
stand we'll in the graces of her wealthy
relative not to dissemble it, as well as
tho vexation she felt at her unexpected
appearance.
And she succeeded admirably.
She came forward with beaming and
happy smile. 49,. .,,,,.,, ,
10 see you'll John, take that trunk and
hose parcels up to the room over the
parlor."
The abashed and astonished footman,
who had no idea that the new conner
was any way related to his fashionable
mistress, obeyed, and Mrs. Mushroom
led the way to the parlor, with many
polite expressions of her delight at a
visit, which she inwardly styled "a most
awkward and annoying circumstance.
"What did you say, childg" said
Aunt Sally, as, after divesting herself of
her cloak and bonnet, she sank down
into the stuffed chair that Mrs Mush-
room wheeled to the fire for her accom-
mediation. Speak little louder; Pm
dreadful deaf-can't hearany kind of or
binary conversation.
"Delighted to see me, hey?" added
the old lady as Mrs. Mushroom made
this announcement, with an exertion of
lungs that made her turn red in the
face.
''Knew you would be. I've been
talkin' bout comm these dozen years.
So sent word to Dora, through Hub
bard, brother Sans widder-she that
was Dorothy Jones-if she'd come an
keep house for me, l wouldn't wait no
longer. So here l am, you see, bag and
baggage"
In tho meantime, Sarah Belinda-she
was christened plain Sarah, but had
found it to be too commonplace for
young lady of her lofty pretensions-
stood back by the window, regarding
with stare of surprise and curiosity
the aunt, OF whose wealth and eccen-
Eicity she had often heard, but whom
she had never seen till now.
II s'pose that is your daughter
Sally" continued the old lady, as she
turned her eyes i'm that direction; ''she
that was named for me. Dear me! 1
should have knowed it anywhere. She
looks the rypictur, of me, when l was
agal."
''rd drown myself il thought sor'
was the young lady's indignant COM
nent, as she came forward, at her
mothers bidding, to receive the sound
ing kiss that Aunt Sallygav her. 1.-The
horrid-looking frightr'
''What did she sayp" said Aunt Sally,
looking from one to the other.
''She said" screamed Mrs. Mush-
room, putting her mouth close to the
cid lady's ear, 'tbat she considers it
high compliment. for you must have
been very handsome when q girl"
Its fortunate that she's deaf" said
Sarah Belinda, smothering laugh at
her mothers adroitness. 1--WE can free
eur minds about the tiresome old thing,
and she be not a bit WISER"
"Well. I dun know as I was ever
called much Of beauty" said Aunt
Sally little obviously; "but there amt
many gals nowadays that can hold q
candle to me as to work. don't git up
about noon, as most gals do now, david
ling through the rest Of tho day. doing