Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-08-07
ROBINSON'S DONKEY.

The entire Reed family had been in a stat
of expectation and preparation for NOR
than week ever since Great-Runt Kathe
rine Stearns had sent word that she was com
ing from Maine to pay a visit at "Broat
Elm."
1t was always a solemn as we'll az a ioyfu
season when MAIDEN Stearns occupied th
"best chamber" at Broad Elm. Il was al
most AZ il an empress should arrive.
The younger Reed children had a dim no
tion that she was called Great-aunt becaus,
she was 30 tall and stately, 30 digni6ed anC
imposing. She wore a turban like head -dres
on top of her stylish gray puffs of hair ant
the children were sure that she never tool
that of, nor yet her diamond ear rings, anC
probably not her stiff black silk gown either
even when she went to bed at night.
| Great aunt Katherine was always kind, bu
one felt it very oondescending in her to no
tice one at all and il so be that she gave
present, were it only an orange, the honoi
seemed as great az if Queen Victoria had said
Accept this coronet of pearls as a token OF
my august favor"
So no wonder that the household was Oh
tiptoe when letter announced that Great
aunt Katherine would arrive on a Wednesday
and no wonder that confusion reigned wher
q telegram followed saying that the advent
would be postponed until Thursday.
For on Thursday Mr. Reed was obliged tC
be out OF town ON important business, and OF
Thursday Mrs. Reed was to take her eldest
dauhgter, Virginia, 10 a lawn party at Mrs
De Peyster's. This was TO be the great event
of the season, and had not Virginia a most
bewitohing new muslin dress and hat bought
expressly for the occasion Her heart was
broken even at the suggestion Of staying al
home. Yet it would not be proper to leave
fourteen year old Kathleen TO do the honorf
N her great-aunt, even il she were her name
sake.
After much discussion il was finally decid
ed that Virginia should go to Mrs DePey.
ster's under a neighbozs motherly wing,
leaving Mrs. Reed free to drive to the station
for Madam Stearns, while Kathleen should
keep guard over the three riotous brothers,
and prevent their standing on their heads OF
doing something equally improper at the in.
slant their distinguished guest should arrive.
But ''the best laid schemes of mice and
men gang aft agley."
Who could foresee that just before the
train was due on Thursday, Master William
Reed, aged six years, should take il into his
head 10 swallow cent, Just TO see how il
would feel going DOWN."
No wondar his mother was terrified, and
sent Jacob, the man-servant, flying for the
| nearest doctor.
And you, Kathleen, must drive to the
village for your great-aunt."
This seemed simple, for Kathleen was used
to driving Rex, the steady family horse, and
| could even turn the old-fashioned carry all
| with its clumsy wheels.
But 10 as she ran 10 the barn she spied,
already beyond call, Jacob, Rex, and carry
all speeding out at the gate, for Jacob de-
oidedly preferred using ReX's four feet in
stead of his own two.
Here was q pretty state OF affairs. There
was no time TO be lost The train was due in
fifteen minutes, and the village station was
nearly mile away. Kathleen, looking round
in despair caught sight Of a fine new donkey
which her father had brought home only yes
| terday.
II took him for debt from a man named
John Robinson" Mr. Reed had explained.
He warranted him TO be an accommodating
little beast, and thought he'd do for the
children to drive in the phaeton. His name
is Pepper"
And a very docile donkey he seemed, max
ing no objection to Kathleen's leading him
to the phaeton. and standing quiet while she
deftly harnessed him.
"Why, you're a beauty I" cried Kathleen.
"Go on, now, good dOnkeyl"
Pepper accepted the compliment, and let
no grass grow under his little hoofs. But,
| AOE MI tuoJ tohCuou tuo blhtlOu
not q minute too soon, for the train was rush.
ing into the depot, and here was Great aunt
Katherine, graciously glad to see Kathleen,
condescendingly sympathetic on the subject
| OF Willie's cent, and ready TO pardon KAth.
| leen and the donkey's coming for her instead
Of Mrs. Reed and the horse. She stepped
into the low carriage, which Immediately be-
came q chariot, aud Kathleen took up the
reins.
Get up, Pepper" But Pepper only
whisked his tail.
Get upl" Kathleen repeated, thinking
her command might not have been under
stood.
This time Pepper tossed his head, but new
or a foot did he stir Kathleen gave him 9
stroke with the whip. Pepper retorted with
what sounded amazingly like chuokle.
All the other carriages had left the station.
Only one boy still stood on the platform, and
he was grinning from ear TO ear. "Out him
| agin," suggested he "Tve seen that donkey
Rfore. He's Robinson's donkey, I'll bet q
dollar. Cut him agin I"
Kathleen did ''cut him agin." She grew
| quite furious, but Pepper was calm.
Just then a man came round the corner.
He also smiled. "Thars Robinsons donkey
| I'm thinking" said he, taking hold of the
bride with jerk.
Get along with you," he shouted.
And get along" Pepper did at such a pace
that the wind whistled in Kathleen's ears
| Her hat blew back on her shoulders. Great
aunt Katherine grasped the side of the phRe
ton, and barely escaped being tossed 10 the
ground as they whirled round a corner a
breAk. neck speed.
whoa whoa I" cried Kathleen, which
order Pepper saw fit TO obey, rattling briskly
up to the door of low drinking saloon, and
there coming to a dead halt
Lager Beer, Wines, Liquors" read Mad
-am Stearns, in voice which seemed to have
the entire "Maine Liquor Law" condensed
in its tones. "Lager- Beer, Wines, Liquors
My dear, this ia extremely shocking. Oar
| you not prevail on the animal to proceed Z"
Again Pepper chuekled. Again he abso
lutely refused to bulge A woman, will
frOwsled hair, put her head out of an uppel
window. "Thats Robinson's donkey, ain
itr" said she. "Folks drivin' him had ough
10 fetch along their meals, in case o. deten
| tiOn."
At the end of much fruitless whipping ant
ooAXing once more the same man who had
befriended them at tho station appeared anC
grasped the bride.
''Get along with you" and this time
good kick WAS bestowed on Peppers IA
launches.
on he started, down ono street, up anoth
or, WheresoeVer his evil desires suggested
Never mind the reins Never heed you
streaming locks, Kathleen Hold on TO thu
phaeton, great aunt Whisk here we gC
round another corner. Let us oanter let'ui
gallop Ah, Hotel Beresford let us tarrl
| here
Kathleen nearly went over the dasher, 81
abrupt was the pause. Madam Stearns's bon
net was resting on the bridge OF her nose
and ono OF her loosened gray puhs was wAv
ing in the breeze.