The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-25
AUNT ALANTHA's MONEY
Hartford Post,l

Hartford Post,l
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 Alsntha as an Ogress
seated at the mouth Of cave. gnawing the
bones Of little girls, or Seven-Leagured,
Booted Giantess, securing the plains for
plump children. And not until we were
grown up did we investigate seriously into
the subject. MACE
II really think" said papa, who was HIM
self sort Of grown-np Babe In the Wood.
that one Of the girls ought to go to Aunt
Alantha. II she is really SO rich. there's no
reason why we shouldn't share In the spells"
Don't talk so dreadfully, Harold" said
mamma. I'VE are no designing fortune
hunters. Buta helpless. feeble old lady,
such as Aunt Alantha is and living all alone
by herself, 1t would really be an act Of
Christian charity for one Of her grand nieees
TO stay with her." .--s ~. t-.A
There we're four Of us, and not one was
willing to volunteer for the visit to Alanthus
lodge.
"You are naughty girls.p said mamma.
ANY Of yos ought to-be willing TO sacrifice
your own prejudices fer the coed of the
family-and Of Aunt Alantha."
"One Of youmnst co. said papa, sternly.
Lets draw lots" said Letitia, the eldest.
And the lot fell on me. Everything hap
pened to me.
Il will not CO." exclaimed. bursting into
tears.
You've drawn the shortest slip.n said
Amabel. triumphantIy.
Il don't see that you can help yourself"
observed judicial Marian.
Don't be silly. child" said papa, Your
Aunt Alantha Is a very worthy woman. A
little eccentric, perhaps. but that is quite al.
lowable in person Of her age" ~
"And, Kate" said mamma, syou must be
sure and not leave your things lying around.
Neatness is one OF Alantha's strong points.
And don't sing and jump about the house as
you do here. Your Aunt Alanthai is a quiet
person. Try and please her in every respect"
Thus, in spite of my circumstances, was
sent off to Alanthus Lodge on the edge OF the
Adirondack woods.
1t was bleak October evening when the
buckbord wagon. which contained me and
my trunk stopped before the old house of dis
colored brick. The skies were leaden dark,
except where belt of crimson famed about
the sunset line. The pine trees seemed to
keep up perpetual moaning, and when the
driver drew up his iaded horses, and said,
"This 'ere's Alanthus Lodge, miss" was
ready to cry out. "Don't stop, don't stopi
Take me back to the boat again! Iean't
stay herel'
But remembered myself In time, and
stepped primly out, just as short, stout old
lady came to the door with shawl over her
head.
"Oh," said she, ''it's my niece from the
city, is 1t? Katharine Kyle?"
Eyes, please, Aunt Alantha?" or
"0r rather my grand-niece.o she corrected
herself. giving me little woodpecker tap Of
kiss on my cheekbnoe. "You are very like
your mother, child. She was pretty girl
before she married that artist, and spoiled
all her good looks counting over wash lists
and measuring out soap and candles to the
kitchen. Come ini Ididn't invite you, but
I'm very glad to see you nevertheless"
Aunt Alantha's sitting room was very snug
with Its dsrk-red carpet, its fire OF blazing
log and the deer-hound stretched out on the
rug like one of Landseer's pictures.
1--WE got Sancho," said she, nodding to-
ward the fire, .since was robbed the last
time. Francois is good fellow with q
glance toward the kitchen where q French
Canadian lad was cooking something that
smelled exceedingly good over the stoye),
but he sleeps like a log, But Sancho banks
at the very least alarm"
why. Aunt Aiantha, how many times
have you been robbed ?" gasped I.
Three, answered Aunt Alantha, exult-
ingly. "But they got nothing but some
plated spoons and lot Of confederate money
that was going TO mount on pasteboard for
q curiosity"
We had delicious supper Of game, cooked
la Delmonico, coffee and hot waffies.
Sancho had the wild turkey bones and
Francois ate his share In the kitchen
squatted on the hearth.
Aunt Alantha," said !. ''haye you no
women about the houseP'
la, no. childw said Aunt Alantha !;
"whst do want Of women? hate women |
Francois is worth three women any time.
And Sancho can do everything but talk"
Late as it was Aunt Alantha took lantern
and showed me over the house. especially
pointing to the various doors where chains
and bolts were so connected with loaded guns
that any tamperlng with the locks would be
sure to produce an explosion.
mo more hurglaries for me-" said Aunt
Alantha, chuckling. '1'd like to see ,em try
1t now. They've got an idea that I'm very
rich. So ! amin guns and chains and
wires''
There were also curiosities of all sorts
moses. birds nests, carefully labelled
geological specimens. rattlesnake skins and
q case Of hideous stuffed birds, looking about
as much like live ones as complexion made
up OF powders and cosmetics resembles q l6
year old girls peach pink cheeks. re
II believe I've got an example OF every
small bird in these woods" said Aunt
Alantha, viewing them with her head on one
side. ''SucE collection as this is nearly
priceless. Don't mention II, Katherine, but
/ think seriously of leaving this collection to
your mother in my will. 1t ought never to
go out OF the family.
looked at the case In disnay. It was
fully yard long. by four feet hiah-an
atrocity Of stained wood. with hideous
tree bough sprawled in It's center. like an
octopus. and birds, perched about In all
sorts OF impossible attitudes.
Never. In my life, have seen anything so
ugly.
The rooms were small, but well furnished,
after wild. unceremonious fashion, and
was relieved to find that the apartment was
destined to occupy opened out Of my Aunt
Alantha's own sanctum.
1T Is an awfully lonely SPOT" said I.
Glancing out at the wild tops of the noun
tains, and the woods swaying in the night
wind.
IL like lonely places, said Aunt Alantha."
Aunt Alantha." hesitated.
SWELL" said my aunt In her short, sharp
way.
81 do hope" said /, lowering my voice to
a whisper. shat you haven't any money In
the house.
"All I've got In the world Is this little
house." said Aunt Alantha, putting another
log Of moss fringed wood In the air tight
stove, which created summer atmosphere
through the room, moistened by the tea ket-
tie that sang on the top. 4
"Oh, Aunt Alsntha! And the burglarsF'
Burglars" said my aunt, stake 'ern all 10