Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-28
1ales mud Skttfhts.


! in-law to the front doorsteps, with the fresh
wind blowing her bright hair about her
| face. and scarlet Shetland shawl drawn
picturesauely round her delicate form-a
pretty woman with something of matronly
dignity subduipg the arch mischief that
sparkled in her merry eyes.
Mr. Charles Early was a stalwart. hand
some young man. with blue eyes and light
brown hair shadowing fair open fore
head. II was a pleasant face TO look into,
with nothing Of irresolution or effeminacy
about it. and. consequently Charles Early
had many friends-aye.an loyal ones too.
He turned round at the sound of his sis
ter-in-law's voice. Josephine was one ol
his most useful and constan; allies
mo. I'll not forget. Josephine. but
am sorry her grandfathers and godmothers
in baptism gave her the name OF Ste
phanie."
"Whyy"
..Because know Stephanie the pref
tiest fairy You ever saw II was when we
were all at Woolgrove beach last month
and if you'll promise not TO tell my so
ber brother, Bob, I'll confde to you mo-
mentous secret. Josephine. Have your
pledge Of secrecy ?"
II promise"
"Well, then, I lost my heart to that
beautiful little Stephanie, with her hossy
yellow curls, and her rose mouth with its
tipy pearls of teeth, and her pink and
white complexion. just like your great
oleander in the drawing room"
Ibid you propose to her, Charlie Z"
questioned his sister-in-law. with all the
eager eagerness OF a woman's curiosity.
mot Just then. but-another secret.
Josephine-I proposed by letter day be-
fore Yesterday -
"And YOU have received no answer ?"
Not yet; suppose it is too soon but
I'm on ihorns and nettles until one does
reach me. Josephine. if she don't have
me. I'll drown myself"
mo, Charles. you won't. What abb
surd nOnsenser'
Then I'll do worse; I'll subside into a
cross grained. fidgety old bachelor, ,grum-
bling necessarily at everything and every
body for all the rest OF my natural days !;
just see il don't"
Charles, you're goose"
$50 are all Young men who have the
misfortune TO fall in love. Its their nor
NAL condition What time do you say the
train arrives !? Twelve! shall have to
get carriage suppose, to transfer the
rheumaticly old lady here. without any
breakage OF bones. Does she walk with
a gold headed cane?"
.sYes. and she wears a wig and specta-
cles. and talks through her nose, and takes
snuff from 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 Tryphosa ''
1--WE need to call her Aunt Feny' for
short" said Mrs. Early. mischievouslv,
and her brother-in-law strobe down the
street whistling, but notfor lack OF thought,
as he went.
II wish Aunt Feny was in the Red sea, :"
he thought, a little vindictively; but
suppose l must oblige Josephine
SO at 12 o'clock precisely Mr.. Charles
Early stood on the platform of the H
depot. watching the long train as it slowly
glided in, like fire throated serpent.
There comes your antediluvian old
hag, Charlie" said Guy st. Everit. with a
laugh, as brisk, but somswhat bent
figure. wrapped from head - loot in
vOluminous cloak of snuff-colored bomba-
zine, stepped out OF one Of the last cars by
the aid OF an iron-headed cane. Her
bonnet. curiously bent and crumpled,
barely covered huge. drilled cap; she
wore a bright brown wig, and massive
green spectacles sat astride Of her nose,
while brown cotton gloves adorned her
hands, and green umbrella. carried un-
der the arm, threatened, with its brass
ferule. the ewes of whoever was rash
enough TO crowd her movements in the
rear.
"Aunt Feny's self .as live and breathe. :"
echoed Bruce Montmartin. "Charlie, if
were you I'd run for il !"
drop her in the gutter and make off
exquisite. superciliously stroking down
his moustache.
But Charles Early had too many gentle
manly instincts to pay any heed to the
waggish hints of his companions. He
stepped forward chivalrously.
| "Allow me to carry your basket for you,
ma'am." he said. l am the brother-in-law
of your niece. Mrs. Early"
"Oh, you be. eh ?" croaked q feeble
voice from under the cap frill. ''Well,
you NAV take my umbril and my basket,
and here's a paper o. gingerbread fetch
ed along for lunch. and bottle O. root
beer Farmer Jenkins wife sent me-it's
dretful good for pimples and sich-and
I've got stripid carpet bag sOme'ers,
with the key tied on with bit o. red tape
and here's the brass tickets for the
trunks-checks the fellow called 'em, e1
I remember rightly"
Its all right, ma'am, 1 assure you" ;"
said Mr.. Early. Step into the carriage
l will see that your things are brought
here directly"
"What be them fellows laughin' at?''
demanded Aunt Feny, stopping short
with one foot on the carriage step. and
glaring at Messrs. st. Everill. Montmar
tin 4 Co. through the green spectacle
glasses. II guess I'm as good as they i
| amt dressed in the very last agony OF
fashion. I've got ten dollars sewed up in
nv flannel waist. over and above my
travelin' expenses. and I'll go bail il!
more than they've got,'
A suppressed laugh here ran through
the little assembiage OF spectators on the
| platform.
..Do not let their folly annoy you
1 ma'am." said Early. pleasantly. "St
Everil, stand back" he added, sternly
s.if ron have no reverence for old age OF
womanhood. I will teach you to respec
INV right hand This lady is under my