Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1889-06-06
AUNT ALlnTHA's MONEY.

Aiantha.
This was the most overwhelmin,
doom with which. in our childhood'l
days, mamma could threaten Us eirls
In our infant imaginations we depic.
ted Aunt Alantha as an Ogresa, seat.
ed at the mouth Of . cave. gnawine
the bones of little girls. or a Seven.
Lssgusd Giantsss, securing the plain.
for plump children. And not until
We we're grown up did " investigate
seriously into the subject.
Il really think" said papa, who
was himself sort Of grown up Babe
in the Wood. "that one of you girls
ought to 80 to Auat Alanths. II she
is really 30 rich. there's no reason
why we shouldn't share in the spoils. %
"Don't talk so dreadfnlly, Harold, /"
said mamma. 1--WE are not designing
fortune hunters. But helpless, fee-
ble old lady. such as Aunt Alantha
is. and liviag ell alone by herself. it
would really be an act of Christian
charity for one Of her grand-nieces 10
stay with her."
Thsrs were four of us. and not one
was willing to volunteer for the visit
to Aianthus Lodge.
You naughty girls,' said mamma.
ANY one of You ought to be willing
to sacrifice your own prejudices for
the good Of the family-and Of Aunt
Alantha.'
One Of you must CO. said papa
sternly.
Lets draw lots,' said Lsti.ia, the
eldest.
And the lot fell on me. Every.
thing happened to me.
I won't Co. said I. bursting into
tears.
You've drawn the shortest slip Of
paper. said Amabel. triumphantIy.
I don't see that you can help your
SELF observed Judicial Marian
Don't be ailly. child said papa.
Your Aunt Alantha is a very wor.
thy woman. A little eccentric, per-
haps. but that is quite allowable in
person Of her age
And, Kate, said mamma. won
must be sure and not leave your
things lying around. Neatness is one
Of Aunt Alantha's strong points. And
don't sing and jump about the house
as you do here. Your Aunt Alantha
is quiet person. Try and please her
in every respect.
Thus. in spite Of my remonstrancss,
l was sent off to Alauthus Lodge on
the edge of the Adirondack woods.
1t was a bleak October evening
when the blackboard wagon which CON.
tanned me and my trunk stopped be-
fore the old house of discolored brick.
The skies were leaden dark, exc ept
where a belt of dull crimson famed
about the sunset line. The pine trees
seemed to keep up a perpetual moan
ing. and when the driver drew up his
jaded horses. and said, This 'ere's
Alanthus Lodge. miles, was ready to
cry out. Don't stop. don't stop Take
me back to the boat again I cant
stay here +
But remembered myself in time,
and stepped primly out, just as a
short. stout old lady came to the door
with shawl over her head.
Oh. said she, it's my niece from
the city. is itT Katherine Kyle 2
Yes. please. Aunt Alantha,' said /.
: Or rather my grand-niece, she cor
rected herself, giving me q little wood
pecker tap of q kiss on my cheek
bore. You are very like your moth
er, child. She was a pretty girl be.
fore she married that artist, and
spoiled all her good looks counting
over wash lists and measuring out
soap and candles to the kitchen.
Come in ! didn't invite you. but
I'm very glad to see you. neverthe.
less.'
Aunt Alantha's sitting room was
very snug. with its dark.red carpet,
its fire of blazing logs, and the deer
hound stretched out on the rug like
one of Landseer's pictures.
I've got Sancho.' said she, nodding
toward the FIRE, since I was robbed
the last time. Francois is good fel-
low with a glance toward the kitch-
en-. where French Canadian lad was
cooking something that smelIed ex-
ceedinGly good over the stove). but
he sleeps like a dog. But Sancho
barks at the very least alarm
'Why Aunt Alantha. how many
times have you been robbed 2 gasped
/.
Three. answered Aunt Alantha,
exnltingly. But they got nothing
bat some plated sooooa and q lok of