New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-04-18
Patience Affords Children.

How fast time does slip away!'
exclaimed 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. IT
told our folks if did't see Patience
Affords children betorelong, I'd never
see them, they will soon be grown-up
folks. So I've come"
And we are all SO very clad 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.
s'This isn't Harold! what, the baby
you had with you the last time you
came to Marshfeld, visiting" said
Aunt Mercy, as Mrs. rdintroduced
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 Lettie, his sister; you
have never seen her"
How much she favors her grand
mother" exclaimed Aunt Mercy. 81
amso 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 children came
rushing into the room, hunting after
their several school necessities which
were lying about the room. s'Come,
Clarence and Warren, Kate and Jes-
sic, and see Aunt Mercy" said the
mother. The four younger children
all gave the newly arrived guest a kiss
OF welcome, then began to gather up
the various books, States, pens and
pencils preparatory to going to school.
where's my hat?" asked Frank, as
he wheeled out the sofa andlooked be-
hind 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, ooh, l know now
where 1T IS; it is on top Of the wood
shed. | was up there after my ban
tam rooster, and left it there" and
the boy made an exit through the
door. Meanwhile Mrs. Afford was re-
Installing shoe buttons, finding de-.
llnquent pocket handkerchiefs, ar
ranging collars and hair ribbons, and
getting the children ready for their de-
parture for school. Finally every
thing was ready and in broken ranks
the children rushed out OF the door.
But they all kissed the mother good
bye before they went out. The door
had scarcely closed before Harry came
IN from the gymnasium, with his shirt
sleeve torn to shreds.
Caught it on one of the hooks"
Sail the young man. "Just catch it
together as we'll as you can, please,
mother. have only ten minutes in
which to get back to college,"
S'Just as quickly as I cam" said the
mother, as she got out her needle and
thread, and prepared to draw the rag
ged sleeve together. Harry hurried
his mother every moment until it was
finished. Then giving her a kiss he
took his Virgil and went out.
Mamma" called Lettice from her
room up stairs, ''please come up here;
my skirt hangs dreadfully. 1 don't
know what is the matter with it.
And two of the buttons are off from
my basque"
excuse me, Aunt Mercy" said Mrs
Afford. 'tI'll be back in few mo-
ments."
Soon mother and daughter appeared
in the doorway, and the latter, after
kissing her mothergood-by went out.
"They all kiss their mother
thought Aunt Mercy, sbut they make
a slave OF her all the same. How
strange it isl"
Mrs. Afford had a young girl to help
her who was very inefficient, so shehad
the greater part OF the housework to
do herself, and the morning was a
very busy one
$50 many things the children might
have done before they went to school!''
thought Aunt Mercy. s'The fetching
and carrying would be as good as the
gymnasiumfor Harry, looked atmere-
~ from q physical point Of view"
In the afternoon, when Mrs. Affords
work was done, she sat down with
Aunt Mercy ''for a realgood, old-fash-
Toned visit she said.
They were talking about Clara Mar
Sbal}'S silver yuaddipo
Il want to go SO very much, said
Mrs. Afford, but 1t is impossible for
me to do SO, SO [ mustn't think OF it,
stWhy not?' queried Aunt Mercy.
81 couldn't leave the children. And
Charles is as dependent upon me as