Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-06-11

Yes, said Mrs. Graves. who being
older, was little more prudent 'bul
you must consider that he is as nearly
related 80 ! am, and We must not lei
her stay there too long
Yes ! suppose So said Belle, with
9 sigh.
You had bettsr tell her that you
hope she will not stay longer than one
day
We'll, said Belle, IF / must must
Aunt Jane, you must be sure and not
stay longer than a day or two,' said
the young lady through the trumpet.
You are very kind, said the old
lady. j didn't know but | was get
ting troublesome
'Oh, no, we are delighted to have
you here, said Mrs. Graves. I'VE
hope you will stay long time
How could you say that mother?'
protested Belle.
Because, my dear, your aunt is too
old to last very long, and we ought to
feel willing to submit to some incon-
venience for the sake Of being remem-
bered in her will. II we work our
cards right she may leave US the
whole. That would be worth having;
twenty thousand don't grow on every
bush.'
tAs likely as not she'll live to be a
hundred, muttered Belle. .
After breakfast Aunt Jane was car
ried to the house of James Merriam be,
nephew, the only son of her
sister. Mr. Merriman was poor
man. He had met with reyerses,
and now lived in a much less
expensive way than Mrs. Graves, his
cousin, who despite the relationship,
looked upon him as her social inferior.
He was a very worthy man however,
and far from being as worldly as Mr..
Graves. He had three children all at
home. His wife was an excellent
housekeeper, and far more amiable
than Mrs. Graves, though her preten.
sions were much less.
I'm glad to see you, Aunt Jane,
said Mr.. Merriam Hospitality, as he
came to help her from the carriage
We have been hoping to see you ever
since we heard of your arrival in town.
ClsrA will be delighted to welcome
you.'
The old lady drew out her trumpet.
Mr.. Merriam looked concerned.
4 am sorry that you have lost your
hearing he said.
'Old people can't expect to hear as
well as young folks, said Aunt Jane.
'You must make US good long
visit, said Mrs. Merriam, who now ap-
peared.
Il will see, said Aunt Jane.
/ 4 always liked Aunt Jane said Mrs.
Merriam to her husband; she is al
ways SO gentle and kind, it seems very
pleasant to have her In the house
so it does, said. Mr.. Merriam
The only thing think of is that we
have small house and can't make
her as comfortable as at your cousins.
'Well, we will make up In the
warmth of our welcome
Aunt Jane seemed unusually happy
that day. As night approached she
seemed thoughtfui, and finally consent.
ed to stay longer.
Unjust write q note to my niece
explain it, she said.
An hour later the note was placed
in the hands of Mrs. Graves.
NIECE ELEANOR: / have concluded
to stay where l am during the rest of
my visit. As you remarked to Belle
when l came that you should be
delighted to have me 60, this infor-
nation will doubtless be pleasing to |
you. As for Belle, she will be easily |
consoled for the departure of her
grumpy old aunt, who must have an
noyed her with her odd ways.
AUNT JANE.
P. S.-My hearing has been won
derfully restored, SO that I can now
dispense with my trumpet.
This letter filled Mrs. Graves and
Belle with dismay. They had sinned
so deeply against the old lady tina,
they felt that no apologies would be
adequate. To add to Bellies misfor.
tune, when the young clerk learned
what had occurred between herself
and her aunt he unceremoniously
deserted her for another.
Aunt Jane bequeathed the bulk of
her property to her nephew. The
will contained the following provision:
l bequeath to INV niece. Eleanor,
my ear trumpet, which I found on
one occasion of excellent service.