The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1884-11-20

II ~ u
won't forget to meet m
SES Aunt Stephanie at the de
Hs pot at II O'clock precisely.
Mrs. Early had followed her tai
brother-In-law to the front doc
steps, with the fresh wind BLOWN.
her bright hair about her face, anC
q scarlet Shetland shawl drawn pic
5uresquely around her shoulders
pretty woman with something o
mstronly dignity subduing the arcl
) mischief that sparkled in her merry
eyes.
Mr.. Charles Early was stalwart
handsome young man with blue
eyes and light tbrown hair shadow
ing fair, open forehead. 1t was
almost pleasant to look into, moth
ing of irresolution or effeminacy
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-
slant allies.
mo, I'll not forget, Josephine,
but I'm sorry her god fathers and
godmothers in Baptism gave her
the name of Stephanie."
"WhyT'
Because 1 know Steph anie the
prettiest fairy you ever saw! 1t was
when we were at Woolgrove beach
last month-and if you'll promise
not to tell my sober brother, Bob,
I'll tell you a momentous secret. 10
sehpine. Have 1 your promise of
secrecyF'
81 promise"
"Well, then, 1 lost my heart to
that beautiful little Stephanie, with
her flessy yellow curls, and her rose
mouth With its tiny pearls of teeth,
and her pink and white complexion,
just like your great oleander in the
drawing room"
"Did you propose to her, Char
lier' questioned his sIster-in-law
with all the earnestaess of woman's
curiosity.
"Not just then-another secret,
Josephine: proposed by letter day
before yesterday"
"And have you received no an
swer?"
"Not yet; suppose it is too soon;
bus I'm on thorns and nettles until
one does reach me. Josephine, if
she don't have me I'll drewn my
selfr'
"No, Charles, you won't. What
absurd nonsensew
'.Then I'll do worse; I'll sub side
into a cross gr aimed, fidgety old
bachelor, grumbling incessantly at
everything for the rest of my natur
al days; just see If don't"
"Charlie, you're a goose!
$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?
Twelve9 shall have to get a car
riage, 1 suppose to transfer the
rheumaticky old lady here, without
any breakage of bones. Does she
walk with goldhead cane?'
Eyes, she wears wig and specta-
cles and talks through her nose and
takes snuff from a tortoise-shell
box"
"Angels and ministers of grace
defend us! Josephine, how did you
ever come to have such an aunt
and how did her name happen to be
Stephanie, instead of Dorcas or
Tryposa?"
ave call her Aunt Feny for
Short" said Mrs. Early mischiev-
ously, and her brother-in-law strode
down the sGreet, whistling, but not
for lack of thought as he went.
81 wish Aunt Feny was in the
Red sea-" he thought, a little vim
dictively, "but / suppose 1 must
oblige Josephine
So, at II O'clock precisely Mr.. |
Charles Early stood on the platform
at the H-depot, watching the long
train as it slowly glided in, like a
fre-throated serpent.
"There comes your antediluvian |
old hag, Charlie" said Guy ST. |
Everil, with laugh, as a brisk but
somewhat bent figure, wrapped from
head to foot in a voluminous cloak |
or snuff-colored bombazine, with a
huge circular cape of the same, step |
ped out of the last cars by the aid |
of an iron-headed cane. Her bonnet,
curiously bent and crimpled, barely |
covered huge frilled cap; she wore
a bright-brown wig, set a little |
away over her forehead, and mas
sive green spectacles sat artride of |
her nose, while brown cotton gloves
adorned her hands, and a green um-
brella, carried under the arm threat
ened with its brass ferale the eyes
of whomsoeVer was rash enough to
crowd her movement in the fear.
"Aunt Fsny's self, as I live and
breathep' echoed Bruce Montmar-
tin. "Charlie, if 1 were you I'd run |
for it,
''Drop her in the gutter and make
off with yourself" suggested anoth
er young exquisite, superciliously |
stroking down his mustache.
But Charles Early had too many |
gentlemanly instincts to pay any |
heed to the waggish hints Of his
companions.
''Allow me to carry your basket |
for you, ma'amY' he said. 81 am
the brother-in-law Of your niece,
Eou1-,