Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-08-16
AUNT STEPHANIE.

"Charles! Charles! you won't
forget to meet my Aunt Stephanie
at the depot at IL o'clock preciselyv
Mrs. Early had followed her tall
brother-in-law TO the front-door
steps, with the fresh wind blowing
her bright hair about her face, and
a scarlet Shetland shall drawn pic
tureSqueiy around her shoulders-a
pretty woman with something OF
nlatronly dignity subduing the arch
mischief that sparkled in her merry
eyes. .....-.-.
Mr.. Charles Early was stalwart,
handsome young man, with blue
eyes and light-brown hair shadow
Ing q fair, open forehead. 1t was
almost pleasant to look into, with
nothing OF irresolution OF effemf-
macy about it, and consequently
Charles Early had many friends
aye, and loyal ones. too.
He turned around at the sound OF
his sister-in-laws voice. Josephine
was one Of his most useful and con-
stant alliea. H
"No, I'll not forget, Josephine,
but Pm sorry her god-fathers and
god-mothers in baptism gave her
the name of Stephanie."
"Why ?"
because / know a StephanIe, the
prettiest fairy you ever saw ! II
was when we were at WOOlgrOve
beach last month-and if you'll
promise not to tell my sober brother
Bob fli tell you mOmentous Sc
cret, josephine. Have your prom
ise OF secrecy Z"
81 promise"
"WeIi, then, | lost my heart to
that beautiful little Stephanie, with
her fiossy yellow curls, and her rose
mouth with its tiny pearls OF teeth,
and her pink and white complex
ion, just like your great oleander In
the draWing-roOin."
did you propose to her, CharlIe?'
questioned his sister-in-law, with
all the earnestness OF a waman's
curiosity. !.
mot Just then-another secret,
josephine: proposed by letter
day before yesterday" .-.
"And you have received no an
swer ?" .."
"Not yet; / suppose IL is too
soon but Pm on thorns and net
ties until one does reach me. Jose.
phine, il she don't have me Ill
drown myselfV
"No, Charles you won't. What
absurd nonesensew
"rhen I'll do worse: I'll subside
into a cross. grained, hgety old bach
elor. grumbling incessantly at
everything for the rest OF my nat
ural days !; just see II | don't"
"CharIes, you're a goose y
$50 are all young men who have
the misfortune to fall In love. It's
their normal condition. What time
do you say the train arrives
Twelve q? / shall have to get car
riage.. suppose to transfer the
rheuInatlcky old lady here, with
out any brtnkage Of bones. Does
she walk with gold headed cane?'
"Yas, and she wears a wig AND
spectacies, and talks through heI
muse and takes snuff from a tortoise
shell box"
"Angels and ministers Of grace
defend us 2 Josephine, how did
YOU ever come 10 have such an aunt
and how did her name happen tc
be Stephanie instead Of DOrcas Oh
Tryphosa ?'
1--WE call her AUNT Feny' fol
short" said Mrs. Early, mischiey'
Ou4iy, and her brothrrinlaw strodt
down the street, whistling, but moi
for lack of thought, ~ he went.
II wish Aunt Feny was In tht
Red Sea !" he thought, II little vim
dictiveiv, "but | suppose l Inusi
oblige Josephine"
So, al IL o'clock precisely Mr.
Charles Early stood on the platform
at the I-depot, watching the Ions
train as it slowly glided In, like
fIre-thrOated serpent.
| "There comes your antediluvlaI
old hag, Charlie" i" said Guy st. Ev
eril, with a laugh, as "a brisk bu
somewhat bent figure, wrapped
from head to foot In a volunlinou
cloak Of snuff. colOred bombazine
with q huge circular cape OF same
stepped out of the last cars, by tn
a,d Of an lrOn-headed cane. He
bonnet, curiousiy bent and erin
| DIeu, DdIc1y CoNCbCu . hAbO hAhAN'
cap; she wore brighf-broTn wig
set little awry over her forehead
and massive green spectacles sat ss
tride of her nose, while brown cot
ton gloves adorned her hands, and
green umbrella, carried under tn
arm. threatened with It's brass fei
tuIe the eyes OF whomsOever VIA
rasF, enough 90 crowd her move
ments i'm the rear.
"Aunt Feny's self, as live an
breathe !! echoed Bruce M0ntmal
tin. "Charlie, II were you I'D ~
for it."
"Drop herin the gutter and max
of with YOURSELF suggested aut
ther young exquisite. s0perciliousl
stroking down his moustache.
Bat Charles Early had too man
gentiemany instincts to pay an
heed to the waggish hints of h
!, companions. He stepped torwar'
clalvalYOusly. t2
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