Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-11-28


"AUNT THoozY, I'M THE MOST UNHAPPY
WRETCH"
er and more numerous than the peaks of
the Himalayas! Why don't you assert your
SELF
"Aunt Thoozy, know what you mean !;
but shall never oppose mothers wishes
bless herl''
said nothing, for honored the loyalty
of that martyr-son; but 1 made up my
mind, then and there, to have a talk with
Lois, to win Samantha over in some way,
and so make ThCo happy for life.
When Theo left the house l put on my
bonnet and shawl and went straight across
the town to Judge Symms. | was shown
into the elegant ittle-reception-room, and
it wasn't long before Lois entered, and
came smiling up to me.
Dear Aunt Thoozy you see, l am
"Aunt Thoozy" to every one in this small
town-ten to one the darkies in st. Cloud
court call me that behind my back" dear
Aunt Thoozy," began Lois, "what happy
chance brings you here so early in the day."
"Plots and schemes, my girl, and all
sorts of Machiavellian plans Sit down
here beside me and let me do a little inter-
viewing. VIII you tell the truth!'
perhaps !" laughed Lois, fetching a foot
stool close to my place upon the hearth-rug,
seating herself upon it and looking away
from me straight into the fire. SIS it about
Theo!''
"'Out of the fullness of the heart"
quoted, laughing the while. I" Is it about
Theor indeed. OF what other should we
either of US wish to speakl Poor Theol"
Poor Theo," she echoed, with a sigh |;
then frowning, said: "Weu; what of hims
"Lois, he loves you ~
$50 he sGysr'
al confess 1 am too obtuse to comprehend
the delicate innuendo couched in that asser-
| ton -
"Oh, it's easily understood, Aunt Thoozy
am not going to trouble Theo another day
He may put me out Of his heart entirely
it's most trifing portion of 1t 1 possess
when all is said and donei For Mrs Thack-
cry seems to have filed it to such degree
| that ="
For shame, Lois Symmsl That is Theo's
greatest virtue-his love for his mother
To be sure If / were Samantha Thackery I'd
be less selfish and exscting, and try to -
"Yes, yoH would; dear, dear Aunt Thoozy
And you'd even take poor girl into your
kitchen and teach her how to be fit wife
for your son-that's what you'd do, you dar-
| lingi"
AS these words were spoken, and as she
stood with her young arms around me, a
great probability came like a cloud burst
upon me. There, now, was practical thing
/ could do-a practical thing 1 loonld dol l
had felt that some plan would suggest itself
if l should go to Lois, and, behold! saw
her, in my minds eye, in my own model
/ kitchen, gowned in calico and neatly
aproned, standing before my square table
kneading dough, peeling potatoes, and even
stirring up cakel
SIS Theo," 1 began, striving to speak
calmly, ''Is Theo worth the efforts Would
you come and live with me this summer
and go through a regular course of study
-lcO1dd you, Loisl My saying it may sound
bit egotistical, but Samantha Thackery
can't hold the tiniest Christmas candle to
my cooking; and"
"Aunt Thoozy, you are an angela dear,
| blessed, win gless angel! You know that
Theo is more to me than my life; and hOU
have despaired of ever coming into pos
session of that splendid youth-that prince
among men-who has the strength of a lion
and the heart Of dove But, thanks to
/ you, III win him now, and my mother-in-
/ law-that is TO be-shall eat her own words
as surely as she shall eat my own bread
and may both prove digestlble!"
There never, TO me, was a summer like
4 that / forgot, almost, that was lonely
l old woman, whose treasures were lalQ away
! in the cemetery beside Bethel Chapel-and
! felt my heart growing young again in the
I cheerful presence of the two dear your 6
people.
! For there were tloo dear young people
very often-Theo managing to slip into the
kitchen at many a noontime, and if l didn't
| know Samantha Thackery toeu (she came In
state and ceremony on an average Of twice
/ a year to call), I'd have been too uneasy to
! have enjoyed as keenly as did sight of
| their happiness.
We began regular course together, my
| apt pupil and I, from setting the sponge Of
! the first loaf to spreading the icing upon
/ the most delicate of layer cakes; and, by
the time the suraac bushes waved little
scarlet bannerets In the autumn winds, the
baking and brewing Of Lois Synms would
have done many an older housewife credit.
! Judge Symms said that his niece might
be married at any time / thought proper;
4 indeed, he seemed to kindly give the girl to
me TO do for as my own-and with this GIFT
+ came goodly sum TO ciothe her becoming
ly for her bridal. in the hazy October
Gays therefore, Lois and were busy sew
ing at the long white seam.
3 l had such a time making Samantha
Thackery consent to spend Thanksgiving
with me: but won the day, and on the eve
OF this great occasion Lois and i had many
confidence. anxious and otherwise TO ex
change together. Theo was forbidden the
/ premises; and when he did sneak in some
! where about six O'Clock, he found nobody
but lonely old lady sitting knitting In hel
| easy chair before the fire.