Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-09-29
PATIENCE AFFORDS CHILDREN.

Chow fast time does slip awayl" ex
claimed Aunt Mercy Hopkins, as she
came into Mrs. Affords sitting-room
with her traveling-bag in one HAND
and her cap-box in the other. 81 told
our folks if I didn't see Patience Al
ford's children before long, I'd never
see them, for they will soon be grown
up folks. So I've come"
"And we are all so very glad to see
you, Aunt Mercy" said Mrs. Afford,
as she took off the newcomers bon
net and outside wraps and drew up the
easiest chair in the room for her to sit
down on.
'This isn't Harold what, the baby
you had with you the last time you
came to Marshfeld, visiting" said
Aunt Mercy, as Mrs. Afford introduced
her eldest son, and said proudly:
"This is my big boy, Aunt Mercy.
See, he is head and shoulders above
his little mother, but the very same
boy carried in my arms to Marsh
field. And here is Lsttie, his sister;
you have never seen her"
Chow much she favors her grand
mother" exclaimed Aunt Mercy. 81
am SO glad you called her Lettie, after
your mother" and Aunt Mercy i'm
printed a warm, loving kiss on the
fresh. rosy, girlish cheek.
Then four younger chickens came
into the room, hunting after their sew
eral school necessities which were lying
about the room. "Come, Clarence
and Warren, Kate and Jessie, and see
Aunt Mercy" said the mother. Tho
four younger children all gave the new
~ arrived guest kiss of welcome,
then began to gather up the various
books, states, pens and pencils, pre-
paratory to going to school.
"Where's my haiti" asked Frank,
as he wheeled out the sofa and looked
behind it. "Mother have you seen
my hat ?"
The mother instantly began search
ing for the missing head covering
After some minutes had been wasted,
Frank exclaimed, "Oh, | know now
where 1T is; it is on the top of the
wood shed. I was up there after my
bantam rooster, and | left it there"
and the boy made an exit through the
door Meanwhile Mrs. Afford was re-
Installing shoe buttons, finding delin-
Quent pocket handkerchiefs, arranging
collars and hair ribbons, and getting
the children ready for their departure
for school. Finally everything was
ready and in broken ranks the children
rushed out of the door. But they all
kissed the mother goodbye before
they went out. The door had scarcely
closed before Harry came in from the
gymnasium, with his shirt sleeves torn
to shreds.
Caught it on one of the hooks"
said the young man. "Just catch it
together as well as. you can, please,
mother. have only ten minutes in
which to get back to college,"
''Just as quickly as I can," said the
mother, as she got out her needle and
thread, and prepared to draw the
ragged sleeve together. Harry hurried
his mother every moment until it was
finished. Then giving her a kiss took
his Virgil and went out.
room upstairs, ''please come up here;
my skirt hangs dreadfully. | don't
know what is the matter with it.
And two of the buttons are off from
my basque"
s'Excuse me, Aunt Mercy" said Mrs.
Afford. "I'il be back in a few mo-
ments."
Soon mother and daughter appeared
in the doorway, and the latter after
kissing her mother goodbye, went
out.
"They all kiss their mother, thought
Aunt Mercy, "but they make a slave
of her all the same. How strange it
isP
Mrs. Afford lad d young gill to help
her who was very inefficient, so she
had the greater part of the housework
to do herself, and the morning was q
very busy one.
$50 many things the children might
have done before going to SCHOOL,"
thought Aunt Mercy ''The fetching
and carrying would be as good as the
gymnasium for Harry, looked at mere
" from physical point OF view"
In the afternoon, when Mrs. Affords
work was done, she sat down with
Aunt Mercy ''for real good, old-fash-
toned VISIT" she said.
They were talking about Clara
Marshall's silver wedding.
81 want to go SO very much" said
Mrs. Afford. "but 1t is impossible for
me to do so, SO mustn't think of it. ;"
"Why not?" queried Aunt Mercy.
ct couldn't leave the children. And
Charles is dependent on me as they
are. He can't possibly leave his bust
ness to 60 with me-"
"Why can't Lettie keep house?"
"Lettie keep housed" exclaimed Mrs.
Afford, as she laughed heartily. "The
step toward housekeeping"
''I think it will be good time for
her to learn" said Aunt Mercy. "The