Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-04-26
Aunt Alantha's Money.

''If you don't behave yourselves, you
shall be sent to stay with Aunt
Alantha."
That was the most overwhelming
doom with which, in our childhood's
days, mamma could threaten us girls.
In our infant imaginations we depicted
Aunt Alantha as an Ogress, seated at the
mouth of a cave, gnawing the bones Of
little girls, or Seven Leagued, Booted
Giantress, securing the plains for plump
children. And not until we were grown
up did we investigate seriously into the
subject.
81 really think" said papa, who was
himself sort of grown-up Babe in the
Wood, 'that one of the girls ought to
go to Aunt Alantha. If she is really so
rich, there's no reason why we should Il
share in the spoiIs -
said r.a,nz.ess.ilzes -, While to have Ii
fortune hunters. Block haziaeputsss r,
old lady, such as Aunt Alafs1a Is, and
living all alone by herself, it would
really be an act of Christian charity for
one Of her grand -nieces to stay with
her.
There were four of us, and not one
was willing to volunteer for the visit to
Alanthus Lodge.
"Yous are 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."
Zone of you must 60" said papa
sternly.
'Let's draw lots" said Letitia, the
eldest.
And the lot fell on me. Everything
happened to me.
i won't go, said /, bursting into
tears.
"You've drawn the shortest slip of
paper, }" said Amabel, triumphantly.
81 don't see that you can help your
self, " observed Judicial Marian.
"Don't be silly, child" said papa.
4
"Your Aunt Alantha is very worthy
woman. A little eccentric, perhaps, lus
that is quite allowable in a person of her
age"
''And, Kate" said Mamma, ''you
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 a quiet
person. Try and please her in every re-
spect."
Thus, in spite of my reno nstrances, 1
was sent off to Alanthus Lodge on the
edge of the Adirondack woods.
1t was bleak October evening when I
the blackboard wagon which contained
ne and my trunk stopped before the old
house OF discolored brick. The skies
we're leaden dark, except where a belt
If dull crimson famed about the sunset
Inc. The pine trees seemed to keep up
perpetual moaning, and when the dri-
'er drew up his jaded horses, and said,
This 'ere's Alanthus Lodge, miss"
vas ready to cry out, "Dont stop, don't
topl Take me back to the boat again
can't stay hereln
But remembered myself in time, and
topped primly out, just as short, stout
Id lady came to the door with a shawl
yer her head.
"0h, said she, ats my niece from
he city, is it9 Katherine Kyle9'
''Yes, please, Aunt Alantha," said l.
''0r rather my grand niece, she cor
'cted herself, giving me little wood
ecker tap of kiss on my cheek bone.
You are very like your mother, child.
he was pretty girl before she married
lat artist, and spoiled all her good
'oks counting over wash-lists and
leasuring out soap aud candles TO the
itchen. Come inl l didn't invite
'u, but I'm very glad to see you, never
leless.
Aunt Alaptha's sitting-room was very
tug, with its dark-red carpet, its fire
blazing logs, and the deor-hound
retched out on the rug like one Of
'ndsesr's pictures