The Cecil Whig., 1885-05-23
AUNT JAMES EAR TRUMPET.


street, it being the stage coach with its
| load of passengers just returned from
| the railroad station, and the vehicle
paused before the gate of a rather pre-.
tentious house on the main street OF
| the village
Mrs. Graves looked out of the win
dow, and an expression Of dismay crept
over her face.
Il declare" she exclaimed, 'if it
isn't Aunt Jane Breed come to make
US visit !''
ooh, DEAR" chimed in Arabella, a
young lady Of IS years, "what a pity.
Just as we are going to have party,
too. Couldn't we tell her it is incon-
venient for us to have her, and send
her to Uncle Merriam's ?"
"No, Arabella, that would never do.
You must consider that your Aunt Jane
has twenty thousand dollars which she
can dispose of as she pleases."
She had no time to say more, for the
bell rang.
Mrs. Graves went to the door herself.
By the time she had opened it her face
was compressed into an expression of
joy.
"Why, Aunt Jane, how do you do2
What pleasant surprise. Arabella and
| were speaking of you only this morn
ing"
"Wait minute, Eleanor" SAID the
old lady, and, fumbling in her pocket,
she produced an ear trumpet which
she adjusted to her ear.
"There," said she, ''now we can
talk"
81 had no idea you were deaf" SAID
Mrs. Graves through the trumpet.
Gage has its infrmities," said Aunt
Jane. Glow is Arabella? ?"
Very well, thank you. Here she is
to speak for herself"
Mrs. Graves turned toward her
daughter and spoke IN her natural
voice.
"Aunt Jane is as dear as an adder"
she remarked. "You see she has to
use an ear trumpet
"I'm glad of it," said Arabella ; 'for
now we can just say what we please,
without her overhearing us. Is she
going to stay very long?'
81 don't know, I'll ask her." and,
turning to the aunt she said, with her
mouth in the ear trumpet, Il hear you
are going to favor us with long visit. "
81 can't spare you but a month";"
said Aunt Jane that is if it is entirely
convenient for you to have. me with
you SO long as that"
1--WE shall be delighted" said Mrs.
Graves, finishing the sentence for her
daughters benefit, ''to have you so.
That's the truth, isn't it BELIEF"
GLOW shall we ever live through the
month";" asked Arabella, dismally,
without venturing to express the feeling
on her Countenance.
A peculiar expression fitted over the
old lady's face, but this was not OBJ
served by mother or daughter.
Three days passed. The old lady
had become quite domestlcated at the
house of her neice.
1t happened that Arabella had beau,
a young man of very much the same
calibre as herself, who was employed
as clerk in one Of the village stores.
He called one evening when Aunt Jane
had INDUCED herself in sitting up lit
tie later than usual.
'I suppose l must introduce you to
my aunt" said Arabella. "She will
not be in our way, for she is as deaf as
a post. Aunt Janet" she said, through
lhe ear trumpet, "this is Mr.. Stolis."
~ am glad to see him." said Aunt
Jane, extending her hand.
"There, we needn't say anything
more to her." said Belle, cordially. Il
believe you never saw her before"
No." said he.
"Aint she beauty" laughed Belle.
care you not afraid she will hear?"
"Oh, no, she is entirely dependent
upon her trumpet"
That's lucky for us. If she could
hear she might not be gratified by what
she heard. Ha, ha !" laughed Storrs.
"It is great trial to us to have her
here, but you known when one has a
rich aunt she cannot be very well put
off,"
$50 your aunt is lich," said the
young man, with increased interest.
eyes, she is worth twenty thousand
dollars"
"That is large sum-" said Storrs,
thinking how. large a portion would
likely fall to Belle. whom he already
looked upon as his own.
eyes, it is worth some sacrifice; SO
we tolerate the old lady, in spite of her
frumpy dress and odd ways"
81 was going to observe" said Stors,
banteringly, "what strong resem-
blance there is between you and your
aunt"
"Take that for your impertinence,
sir, said the young lady, playfully tap
ping him with the fan. 81 must be
charming if that were the case"
Now Aunt Jane was in reality very
good-looking old lady; not, of course,
as attractive as when young. The con-
versation thus ran on entirely regard
less of Aunt Jane, who sat placidly in