Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-07

Probably Mrs. Bascom, who was somewhat
her husbands superior, and the Misses
Bascom. who went little farther up the
social ladder, did not welcome this addition
to the family with a great enthusiasm,
But, being the best-hearted folks
in the world, they made Aunt Maria as
comfortable as possible; gave her a pretty
room, and, perhaps-as busy people, and
only human, too-did not very much regret
that she STAYED good deal in the room they
gave her.
Indeed, the newcomer found herself sadly
at loss IN an establishment where every
thing went by clockwork, where her own
servi se was in no way needed, and where
there were no ehildren-the little Conways
had been many. She was most at ease with
tn. servants, and soon made great friends
with Molly, the second girl, who was from
wat Miss Maria called lover our way"
and whose Yankee acuteuess had not been
long in gauging the little old woman's ca
pacty Alright.
eth folks upstairs" she said to the cook,
'act like they thought their aunt was same
as them. What she wants is to be treated
childish; and it only illustrates 'er, their
maxim out she's grown-up as anybody.
'Tain't right; they ought TO understand"
The cook assented to this.
"Whst dye s'pose she's frettin' about
now?" Molly queried, fourishing a dish
cloth. ''She says t me this mornin'-
why says she, here It's tn middle O. No
Tember, an I amt heard word o. Chris
muss vet! Don't they make much O. Chris
muss in New York, Molly?'"
"What did We tell 'er?' asked the cook.
80, l sez, tn Bascoms want in tn way
o. doin' much; JUS plum puddin' fer dinner,
an turkey, an couple O. dollars apiece
t. you an me, m tn rest. They don 'tmake
no presents, sez I; an she looked all took
back. declare I was sorry fer tn ole lady.
Saws she: why, t tn Conways there was
always great time; all them children a.
taIkin' about Senty Claus. an hangin' up
their stoekin's. We all hung up our stock
in's T. tn Conways,' seq she, ''it was reel
pleasant, too. Things seem diff'runt some
way, that come out O. stockin' o. course
an then she drawed 'erself up, and tried to
look very dignifed. of course, sez she, 'all
soei talk ez Senty Claus is foolish.
au' I don't know ez children ought
e be encouraged in it; but it
SOUNDS kind o good, too, t. have 'em goin'
on about tn reindeers. 1 like T. hear it. I"
"Poor ole soull " unused the cook. 81 got
a soft spot in nv heart for Misa Maria since
she made that mustard plaster for me, as if
was her own flesh n blood. She's worth
all the rest of 'em put together"
90 course she is" Molly thought there
were no two opinions as to that. "Do We
mind how she busted tn parlors, that time
had the run around? say, she'd ought
to have Christmas eff she wants one; an
it's my opinion Senty Claus is ez much t.
her ez ever he was T. them Conway chill
dren."
But Miss Maria came MP from breakfast,
few mornings later, with very troubled
face, she found the chambermaid making
her bed, and, sitting down by the open fire,
began doleElly enough:
''Why, Molly" and there wss suspicion
Of tears in her voice; "do ye know Joseph
folks amt plottin' t do single thing fer
Chris 'muss-not thingl Why, tell 'em,
Z tn Conways, we uset T. give half our
winter cIo'es, that way; tippets, an rubbers,
an all. Last year him n me put together
m got her a blanket shawl-a reel nice one.
O. course'-with q foolish smile-''that
couldn't 60 in no stocking 4 ever was made;
we JUS put it on TIL hearth, underneath.
We often put things on tn hearth, 1t
seemed Just as nice"
"An' what'd they say to that, Miss
Maria?' asked Molly, in fashion, she had
of recalling the simple soul from her long,
rambling "reminiscences.
20 the girls they didn't say nothin', nor
Jet Celia. Joseph he jis laughed, and sez