Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-11-04

nau asserted my Independence, van
qulshed my formidable old relative.
gwen her clearly to understand that
did not want her or her money, and
now L was prepared to be as civil and
friendly as even Tom could wish.
rang for hot water, helped to un-
strap the hideous striped carpet bag,
asked if my aunt would like cup of
Tea or glass of wine before dinner,
hoped she would be comfortable and
make herself at home, and then sailed
away majestically, conscious that /
looked very fine in my peacock-blue
Satln, and had made my aunt decidedly
small" In her coarse gray stuff gown.
when she joined me at dinner she
had replaced her black ''drawn" satin
bonnet by muslin cap with an infinity
OF narrow borders, while white mus
lln handkerchief was pinned over her
shoulders and fastened near the waist
by an enormous Scotch pebble and
silver brooch. The spectacles too were
LAID aside as were the camlet shawl and
oearskin cap, and | saw that Aunt
Betsy was not only keen eyed, but thin
straight and active.
'Y our husband must be man of
means, niece Frances" she observed,
glancing round the dining-room and
scanning everything on the table.
''Tom has his profession" 1 replied
proudly, land we have the interest Of
my fortune"
"Three thousand in the Funds; eh,
at three per cent?''
''No, my guardian sold out of the
Funds long ago, and invested my
money in mine. 1t pays ten and
sometimes twelve per cent, Aunt
Betsy.
'Ohi No wonder You live well, niece
Frances. Twelve per cent.-eh? That's
something, to be surel No wonder you
are independent of your old auntl a
husband lawyer too, who knows all
about itlr
"Yes, Tom was quite satisfied with
the investment, or he would not have
consented, you know. How did you
find my sisters, Aunt Betsy? Were they
glad To see you? Ellen was ALWAYS your
favorite, think"
81 found them pleased to see me, l
left them still more pleased to get rid
of me; but, as L went to please myself
and not them, it did not m tier much,
Miss Betsy replied grimly. They're
avaricious, niece Frances, and you're
proud. | don't know which is the
greater fault. Pride goes before de-
structiOn, and naughty spirit before
fall. You would not have your old
relative from the mountains think you
want for anything, would you? Oh,
mol Is your husband as great a fool as
you are, nlece?"-
1 laughed heartily at her pointed and
brusque question.
81 do not consider myself quite a fool
aunte," l replied; ''but, even if l am,
L thIIS Tom has enough sense for us
BOTH"
Then asked Aunt Betsy to come
with me to the drawing-rOOm; but, true
| to her character of an Officious old maid
she declared her intentions of going
over the house from garret to base
ment.
"No, no, you need not trouble 60
come with me,n she said, waving me
aside. 1.-THE place is none so big but |
can find my way. l mean to see for
myself and judge for myself, niece
Frances. Just you sit down with your
iddling make-believe needle-wOrk while
| look round-I won't be lOng-I can
soon tell if you are good housekeeper
or have taken after your poor mother.
I'll look at the corners, niece, that's
all, p" and away the old lady trOtted.
''Let her gol" | said to myself with
smile. "She can't find mich to find
fault with upstairs, any way, and L
dare say Jane can hold her own in the
Kitchen"
So laid down my embroidery and
went to the piano for half an hours
practice, without a single misgiving.
In about twenty minutes she return
ed and seated herself IN corner with
an expressionI could remember ever
since | was child. | knew there was
a storm coming, and 1 resolved to meet
il with good humOr. and laughingly re-
minded my Aunt Betsy that 1t was my
house, and if she did not like 1t she was
of course at liberty to leave it. But
was not at all prepared for the accusa-
tions she heaped up against me. L was
idle, lazy, careless, untidy, extravagant
There was sinful, wanton waste III
every part of tie house.
"You will ruin your busbandP she
cried raising her hands. ''Slx chamber
towels in your own bedroom, and four
best sperm candlesl Think of the wash
ing, think of the candles endsI As for
the kitchen, the waste of fat, the waste
of Goals. pound of soap on the slnkl
Niece Frances, Pm shockedl wonder
you can sleep IN your bed at night with
such things going on around your
81 am afraid / couldn't sleep. Aunt
B etsy, if things were any different. L
replied little hIppantly. people live
differently in London, you know, from
other places, and you will soon get
used to our ways"
"Neyerl' Miss Betsy exclaimed en-
ergetically. ''Never can L get used to
such waste or extravaganza while re-
member that there thousands OF poor
starving creatures who might 1--we In
comfort on what is wilfully wasted.
The superfiuitles of the rich should be
made to relieve the necessities OF the
poor, niece; and never shall a penny OF
my small savings go to woman who
wants four candles to look at the re-
aectlon of her face in the glass and six
towels to wipe il onl''
81 told YOU, aunt, that didn't want
YOUR savings, and l DON'T" L said gent
ly. s.Do try to make allowances for
different habits and customs; or, if
YOU can't do that. take no notice at all
Ii really need not matter to you"
.But l must leave my money to some
one ~ she said. with puzzled, helpless
expression. ''I'm an old woman; must
set nv affairs in order; but how to de-
ciIe / don't know. You're all alike.
To think [ should 1--we to say 1t OF
brother Peters childrenl Greedy and
iazv. ones bad, the others worse; but
( don't know which is worst-l don't
indeedP'
s.Leave your money to charity, Aunt
Betsy" suggested.
"Charity begins at home" she crled
tartly. '.I'll leave my money how and
where 1 like, but not to be squandered
in senseless extravaganza, depend on
thatl | came to stay week, and IN
stay: but I've seen enough to know that
| sha'n't have an hours peace while I'm
in the house.
r, fore half the week was over even
r.,,,,s oood nature began to faii; De