Connecticut western news., 1889-04-24
Aunt Alantha's Money.

elf 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 s days, mamma could threaten us girls. In our infant imaginations we depicted Aunt Alantha as an Ogress, seated at the mouth of cave, gnawing the bones of little girls, or 8 Seven Leagued, Booted Giantress, securing the plains for plump children. And not until we were grown up did we investigate seriously into the subject.
 'I really think" said papa, who was himself sort of grown-up Babe in the Wood, ''that ono of the girls ought to go to Aunt Alantha. If she is really so rich, there's no reason why we should n t share in the spells.
 'sDon't talk so dreadfully, Harold, !" said mamma. ssWe are not designing fortune hunters. But helpless, feeble old lady, such as Aunt Alantha is, and living all alone by herself, it would rcally 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.
 "You arc naughty girls" said mamma. ''Auy one of you ought to be willing to sacrifice your own prejudiccs for the good of the family-and of Aunt Alantha."
 'One of you must go," said papa sternly.
 ttLet's draw lots," said Letitia, the eldest.
 And the lot fell on me. Everything happened to mo.
 sI won't go," said I, bursting into tears.
 "You've drawn the shortest slip O. parer," said Amabel, triumphantly.
 'I don't see that you can help your self, observed Judicial Marian.
 s'Don't be silly, child," said papa. "Your Aunt Alantha is a very worthy woman. A little eccentric, perhaps, bu that is quite allowable in person of he age."
 "And, Kate," said Mamma, 'yo, must be sure and not leave your thing lying around. Neatness is one of Aun Alantha's strong points. And don sing and jump about the house as yo, do here. Your Aunt Alantha is quie person. Try snd please her in every re spect."
 Thus, Tn spite of my reno nstrances, was sent off to Alanthus Lodge on tn edge of the Adirondack woods.
 It was bleak October evening whel the buck board wagon which contained me and my tfunk stopped before the ol' house of discolored brick. The skie were leaden dark, except where bel of dull crimson famed about the sunse line. The pine trees seemed to keep u perpetual moaning, and when the dri yer drew up his jaded horses, and said ''This 'ere's Alanthus Lodge, miss," was ready to cry out, "Don't stop, don 1 cfn To1y %o %ho can't stay herc!"
 But remembered myself in time, an stepped primly out, just as short, stou old lady came to the door with shaw over her head.
 ssOh," said she, s'it's my niece frol the city, is it2 Katherine Kyle2" s'Yes, please, Aunt Alantha," said ''Or rather my grand niece" she col rected herself, giving mo little woo6 becker tap of kiss on my check bone "You are very like your mother, chile She was pretty girl before she marie that artist, and spoiled all her goo looks counting over wash-lists an measuring out soap and candles to Il kitchen. Come in! l didn't invi 2 you, but I'm very glad to see you, ncve , theless"
 Aunt Alantha's sitting-room was vel snug, with it's dark red carpet, its if of blazing logs, and the dcer-hcur stretched out on the rug like ono l Landseer's pictures