Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-10-19

whether the ne-horse sleigh in which she
was Ierked and jolted up the incline would
not be blown sheer away by the rush Of the
tempest before they could reach their des
tination
However, it wasn't And, once in Aunt
Grizzys cottage things were very comfor
able There was no wide thruated chin
ney, filed with moss-fringed logs. such as
the fancy Of city dwellers is apt to depict
in the solitary farm house. People in
Maine knew better than that. But there
was an immense cook stove, which heated
the room to an atmosphere Of eighty odd
degrees the cracks in the window sashes
we're pasted over with brown paper, and
sand bags we're laid on the top lodges,
while a double rag carpet covered the floor
and a wood-box heaped to the very top,
stood in the angle of the chimney piece
Aunt Grizzys dress was OF blue homespun
flannel, and she wore q wursted hood pulled
over her ears, and a little plaid shawl fold
ed across her breast. and she was addicted
10 the use of snuff. and said hey g" when
ever any one addressed casual remark TO
her
MY cheeney o. said Aunt Grizzv, Well.
I'm free 10 own that think a deal Of that
cheeny But don't know, Niece Arabel-
la, how you came 10 hear Of it.
IL is an heirloom in our family, Aunt
Grizzell, said Mrs. Symington, exerting
| herself TO speak loudly.
Hey - said Aunt Grizzy. with her hand
placed sounding board fashion behind her
ear.
Every one must have heard Of it, " said
Mrs Symington, at the risk Of breaking u
| blood vessel in her throat
Aunt Grizzys wrinkled face fairly beam
ed. We'll, | calculate it amt absolutely
ugly said she. But still, if You We real
/ ly set your heart on it, Niece Arabella-but
/ 1t ain I unpacked. 1 always put it away
this time Of year when there amt no tea
| parties given.
"Oh. never mind that ' said Mrs. Sy
mlngton her heart leaping within her at
this easy conquest of the fort 1t will be
| all the more convenient for me TO carry it,
/ People always keep such treasures put
away in secret places
Hey said Aunt Grizzy. and Mrs
/ Svmmington repeated her words
No, there ain no secret about 1t ~ said
Aunt Grizzy, she turned the kissing
sausages in the pan "Only | haint had
time TO overhaul il since YOU We been here 81
Naturally ' interrupted Mrs. Symng
/ ton. But | suppose 10 Is all in good con
/ ditiOn.
Sartinly, sartinly,' said Aunt Grizzy.
| 'GO on can look at it yourself if you like,
[ Niece Arabella
"Oh, that Is not at all necessary, said
/ Mrs Symington. But now as to the price.
Aunt tirlzzy
Il ain one tO haggle with my relations,
said Aunt Drrlzzy, giving the frying pan n
shake over the blazing sticks Set your
own price, Arabella and 1t don like II I'll
make bold 10 say So
Do you think Aunt Grizzy. he>itated
the city lady, that twenty five dollar,
would be a reasonable compensation for it,
W ell, yes. said Aunt Grlzzy. 1t nev-
er cost me that, because
No, Of course not. hurriedly interpos-
ed Mrs. NymingtOu, and she produced the
twenty five dollars, all in gold half eagles,
with the exultant feeling of one who mas
picked a precious diamond out of the dust
But | should YOU wish You To feel that
had dealt fairly with you in a matter like
this.
Well, hain't no reason to complain, ''
said Aunt Grizzy. Some folks fancies
cheeny. don't. \ plate plate to me.
and cups a cup and you're kindly wei
come to my set If YOU We took a notion to
it.
Mrs. Symington went home the next day,
through whirlwind of snow having been
/ fed upon pork and sausages. sausages and
/ pork at every meal since her arrival. and
[ retaining very vivid recollection of the
Maine wind and tempests
Il don't think Id 20 back there again
| even for set of old china said Mrs
/ Symington, as she seated herself ON the
/ velvet cushions Of the palace car and sank
shiveringly inside of her seal dolman and
heece-lined fur gloves Aunt Grizzel will
never die a natural death she'll be blown
away like Mother Hubbard
But all these petty tribulations were for
gotten as a thing out Of mind On the bril-
liant January morning on which, in front
of the sea-cual fire in her own coy draw
ing room. she unpacked the coarse wooden
box wherein were concealed the priceless
treasures Of Aunt Grizzy Grumpton's chi
ma.
Don't touch them, Stanhope. said she,
with a small shrek Of dismay Men are
80 dreadfully careless. Oh, here they are
on the top, all wrapped IN separate pieces
Of paper.
Eth = SAID Mr.. Symington standing by
with a hammer and screw driver brand
lshed IN either hand. Are these-an-
tiques q
Good gracious me ~ gasped Mrs. Sym
| ington. What can this possibly mean 3.
For the china which she unwrapped from
its coverings Of coarse, brown paper, was
"a cheap and common style, such as Is asSo-
/ ciated in the mind with tea chromos, gaudy
/ autographs. and statesmen Of the Hebralc
/ persuasion-whIte, with band OF lmta-
/ ton gold around each piece, and coarse
| flower sprawling below, as If 1t had been
laid on with miniature whltewash brush.
This Is never my grandmother trump
/ tons OLD emma, SAID Mrs, Symlhgtoh'
bursting INTO tears ana pushing Tue niue
GUS atrocities away WIN force "hlch
/ cracked Two plates II "rlue 10 aunt
Grlzzy at once, ana TINS MISUNDERSTANDING
shall oe cleureu up:
In the course ot time an answer came
from J" ia hlVer' sunny written IN pale INK
and conveying IN lts to"t tnSe"tD't the gen
efal IMPRESSION OhaC Aunt H'l%%y u"i
wrestled Win II as II II han neen III oi
the Aslatlc cholera'
DEAR NEIcE' ut saidl.-'N Nth Love
and duty take up my Pen to inform You
that the China Is all right bot from 9net-
ley x Pipkln IN Boston last November at
Eight So dollars the Set, to be transported
at my own Dammage As for my Mother :
old Set, witch Captain Babcock brot from
/ CalOutta III lue ASN' A'''i = s"'S ~ ~ '''7
Neice Helen hosmer two feres ago Tor "A
Pare of Gold Spectackles and Fur Muit'
being so Cracked and Old-fashioned that It
wasn't worth no more. But am told that
she puts It on Ebony Shelves IN her Best
Parlor But Helen never was more tnan
Half-witted, and your Set witch you took
home with You Is worth Deal the most
Monney. So you have the Best Bargain.
With love, | remain, our Aunt To Com-
mand. GRIzzEL GRUMProN'
"Ah,' said Mr.. SymiugtOn, who had
been listening intentlv To the contents of
this much blotted aud besmeared piece of
manuscript. sealed with Aunt Grizzy s
thimble top. and still retaining subtle
odor of fried sausages aud griddle-cakes.
"A seal dolman at three hundred dollars, a
thirteen dollar hat. "A pair of fifteen dollar