Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-01-14
VALERIA'S CALLERS.
Why Invited and How They
Were Entertained.

said Philo Lusk.
He had just come back from his
snowy tramp to the post-oflice, with
the weekly papers and one letter.
Old Mrs. Lusk had brought in the
lighted candles, and piled an extra
log on the fire, so that the low ceiled
kitchen was all aglow with ruddy light,
while the smell of stewing apples, and
the song of the tca-kettle, which hung
from the iron crane, lent a practical
idea of comfort to the scene.
Taxes, amt it?'' said Mrs Lusk,
whose eyesight was not as good as it
had been.
mo, it amt taxes" mechanically
uttered her son, still intent on the con-
tents of the envelope that he had just
torn open.
'Well, then, it's letter from your
Aunt Sophrony, out on Long Island,
asking for money!
'.No, it amt" said Philo. "It amt
letter at all. It's Just card: Miss
Valeria Whitman; at home, January 1,
1856"
Lar said Mrs. Lusk. ''She wants
you to call there"
..Get outr' said Philo, with sudden
accent of sheepishness. "Why should
60 there?"
"Well, why notp" said Mrs. Lusk
ats what the city people do, I'm told.
They bake big cake and draw
pitcher of cider, and set down in their
best clothes to see company. Vally
Whitman is dreadful enterprising. She
means to lead in the fashion,"
lam l to call there?" asked Philo.
''Why, of course" said his mother.
'What else does it mean?--.Miss Valeria
Whitman. At Home ~
shes at home most days, amt
she?" said Philo, musingly. There
never was anything of the CAD
about in Vally Whitman that ever
heard Of"
''Oh. but this 'cre's new kink!' ex-
planned Mrs. Lusk. New Years Day
don't you see?'
I'D calculated to take the oxen on
to Snidge hill and grub stumps out of
the clearin' on New Years Day." said
Philo.
1.-The next day will do Just as well
for the stumps," said Mrs. Lusk, en-
couragingly. lone night as well be out
of the world as out of the fashion,
Deacon Folgrove got one of Miss
Whitman's cards; also Squire Hart.
In fact, there was not a widower or
old bachelor or eligible swain in all
Cedarville who was omitted from the
list.
81 amt as young as was" said
Miss Whitman to herself "It's high
time took steps to establish myself"
So she put fresh muslin curtains to
the windows, made herself new gown
according to the latest fashion-plate
and prepared for the festive Initial Day
of the year.
LAS for you, Bella" she said to her
niece. who worked in the needle fac
tory near by and paid for her board
and lodging by such household tasks as
she might be able to do nights and
mornings, "you can 90 up to old Mrs.
Willett's on New Years Day. Take
my compliments and a jar of them fer
won't ever know the difference-and
stay all day and sew and mend for her.
There amt no virtue like that of char
ity."
But, aunt" pleaded Bella, would
not some other day do as well for Mrs.
Willett? would rather remain here
and"
mo, it wouldn't" said Miss valeria,
CURLY. "When l say want a thing
done want it done! So there!,'
Il know" said Bella to herself,
"Aunt Val is going to wear that ridicu-
1ous low-necked dress of dyed-green
satin, and the wreath of flowers; and
I'm perfectly certain that that was a
bottle of hair-dye saw on her bureau
labeled Best black ink And she has
sent out a lot of cards, and is going to
see company and l am to be sent off to
Snidge Mountain, where Mrs Willett
lives, to be out of the way. Well, we'll
see,"
Miss Valeria Whitman had Just
passed her fivc-and-fortieth year. She
was stout and ruddy, with the very
best set of teeth that the Cedarville
dentist could supply, and perpetual
smile riveted on her lips; and she was