The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-05-01
A SERIOUS MISHAP.
What Came Of My Not Attending
Aunt Durgin's Tea.


Aunt Durgin's Tea
You never heard about Aunt Durgin's
tea? Well, it was very Important tea
to me; 1t was the turning-point of my
whole life.
You see was young, about sixteen,
and Aunt Durgin was quite old and
queer. She had plenty of money to live
on. and do good deal for us girls-a lot
Of US there were too. She was really fond
Of us, know, now; but she was SO worry.
Ing, always lecturing us and finding
fault that we didn't love her very much,
I'm ashamed to say. Her money was in
IN annuity which ceased with her death,
80 what she did for US must be done dur
ing her life. Every year she gave some
special advantages to one of her nieces;
and it seems-though didn't know it
that she had about decided to give me
the benefit that year.
II had known!-but 1t wouldn't have
made any difference; it took shock to
teach me.
remember every moment of that day
IS If it were yesterday; the result of it
seemed to burn every smallest event into
my brain. ! can even remember the
pattern of forget-me-nots on the dress l
wore.
Mother was going out that afternoon,
and as she stood with her hand on the
door, she said:
BE sure to get to Aunt Durgin's in
time
%, of course." answered, carelessly.
''iou know SHE'S very particular; and
I'm especially anxious to have you
please her to-day she went on.
why to-day more than usual?' /
asked. I've been trying to please her
ever since wore bibs; but don't think
shall ever do it unless get a charm
to turn myself into an old woman at
once"
shes more fond Of you than you
think said my mother-and / remem-
Der we'll how care-worn she looked as
she started down the steps-"though
she doesn't show it,
''Humph. should think not.' said,
standing in the door. ''She names me
but to-blame
.Well, mind you give her no cause to-
night" said mother. opening the gate;
land oh. did you remember to got those
pebbles of the roof for my Chinese
lilieso'
mo, forgot. said, ''but I'll do 1t
before 60 OUT" and the gate and the
door closed 1t the same instant.
"But can't guess" said, as l went
slowly up the stairs again, whats up
tonight in particular"
With my mothers unusually serious
Injunction in mind, went up to my
room and laid out my one nice dress. to
be sure that ruffies were all in order,
and nothing should be wanting to delay
me at the last minute. Ievcn looked at
my shoes to see that tho buttons were
al right; for Aunt Durgin had an eye
like an eagle for any thing out of place.
There were still two hours before it
was time TO dress, and those intended
to give to my practicing; for had one
''grand passion" and that was for
music. My father-dear. impractical
man that he was: with soul full OF
poetry and music--lacked the push" to
get on in those days-or in these either,
for that matter. So he spent his life
trying to drill music into stupid pupils;
and OF course, with his head in the
clouds, he made little money. We were
always poor, always needing something;
but, thanks to his gentlenness and my
mothers sweet disposition, we were al
ways happy.
But / was ambitious. I was my
fathers best pupil, and at that moment
the desire of my heart was for year OF
lessons from great master abroad. II
/ could only get the finishing touches
from that master, and the eclat of his
name, (Which goes good way, you
know, felt sure l should march on to
fame and to glory. Such was my modest
opinion OF my abilities; and my thought
by day and my dream by night was to
bring this to pass.
But how to do it! There was the rub.
When | think that If it hadn't been for
my own carelessness- Well, we'll! le,
me tell my story straight.
At the end of my two hours practice
room to dress for Aunt Durgin's tea. On
the way l remembered the Chinese
lilies, SO / passed on up to the roof,
where there were always loose pebbles
from the gravel. Above the third story
was low garrett. As | reached up to
unlock the trap-door from the third
story into this attic, on which we had
put q spring lock after burglar had
scared US by coming down that way
there came into my mind, with almost
ominous distinctness, my fathers eau
ton:
Now remember" he said, neaer 2,
into the attic without putting something
under the door. SO that it can't fall an,
lock you out, whatever happens"
paused. had nothing to put under
Iglanced around the attic--nothing wa
there. should have to 60 downstairs
and had no time to spare.
III be careful" / said to myself
land it'll be all right. Fathers fussy.
Thus thoughtless / settled my owl
fate, for heedlessness was my fault
Was, ! SAY, for that night taught M
something. But to 60 on.
l opened the door lit stood straigh
up,) went out, and after good look .
tho world from that elevated point col
lectcd little basketful Of stones, an
rejecting that it was cooler than
thought, and should have to wear
wrap to Aunt Durgin's, went back
the trap-door.
Idon't know how it happened; SUP
pose ! hsd not opened the spring-doo
quite wide. and my jarring the roo
started it-but suddenly 1t fell with