The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-05-01


OF keeping the health and the b. suty an grace
That going 'gainst Nature so soon viii efiace.
H. G. Dodge, in Detroit Free Press.
A SERIOUS MISHAP.
What Came Of My Not Attending
Aunt Durgin's Tea
You never heard about Aunt Durein's
tea? Well, it was very important tea
to me; it 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,
so 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.
If l had knownNbut it wouldn't have
made any difference; it took q shock to
teach me.
remember every moment Of that day
IS IT it were yesterday; the result of it
seemed to burn every smallest event int
my brain. I can even remember the
pattern of forget-me-nots on the dress T
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' :~~,.,
20. of course!"'I answered, carelessly.
"You know she's very particular; and
I'm especially anxious to have YOU
.pleasezher to-day" she went on.
"Why to-day more than usual?''
asked. "l've been trying to please her
over since I.wore bibs; but don't think
shall ever do it unless get q charm
to turn myself into an old woman at
onee."
d. ''She's more fond of you than you
think" said my mother-and l remem-
Der we'll how care-worn she looked as
she started down the steps, though
she doesn't show it,"
"Humph! I should think mott" said,
standing in the door: ''She names me
but to-hlame."
well, mind you give her no cause to-
night" said mother, opening the gate;
land oh! did you remember to get those
nohh 1no 0ff I'm Co. NJ:
NO / forgot ! said, ..'but I'll do it
before I 60 out;" and the gate and the
. door closed 1T the same instant.
''But can't guess" said, as I 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 ruffles we're all in order,
md nothing should be wanting to delay
me at the last minute. Ieven looked at
my shoes to see that the buttons were
all 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 dsys-or these either,
for thatmatter. 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
alwsysepoor, always needing something;
but, thanks to, his gentlenness and my
mothers sweet disposition, we@were al.
ways happy: *.;2 = -
But I was ambitious. I was my
fathers best pupil, and at that moment
the desire ofmy heart was for year OF
LESSONS from great, master abroad. II
1 could only get the finishing touches
from that master, and the ,ecIat Of his
name, (Which goes .: good way, you
. know, l felt sure I should march on to
fame and to glory. Such was my modest
- opinion Of my abilities; and my though,
> by day and my dream BY night, was Il
bring this to pass. v \ ,.t.s:sE T.. = ss..t.:
Bat how to do st! There was. the rub
When 1thtnk that il it hadn't been fol
my own carelsssness = - Well, well!let
me tell my story straight. =.
At the end Of my two hours practice
closed the piano and started. for my
room to dress for Aunt Durgin's tea. Or
the way I remembered the. Chinese
lilies, % Itpassed son up TO the roof
where there were always loose pebbles
from the gravel Above the third story
was low garrett. As l reached up tx
unlock the ,trap-door from tho. thiri
story into this attic, on which e-hai
put spring, lock after burglar haf
scared us by coming down that way
there. came into my mind; with almos
oainoas distinetness, my fathers eau
ton:
- Nov. remember" he said, neoer g
into the attic without putting something
under the door, SO that it can't fall AMI
lock you out. whatever happens" 49,
.Ipaused; I had nothing to put under
l glanoed around the attic--nothing wa
there should have to 60 down-stairs
and%I had no time to spare. 49, g., 81 ~
IN be careful" I said to myself
and it'll be all right. Fathers fussy.
Thus thoughtless settled my owl
late, for heedlessness was my fault
wes' l. says for that night taught mi
something. But to 60 on, :, ~. .,l...
opened the door 1T stood straigh
op,) went out, and after good look .
She world from thst elevated point col
looted htt1e bssketful OF stones, snt
rejecting that it was cooler. than
thought and / should have to wear
wrap to Aunt Durgin's, I went back t.
the trsp-doss. :.
!1dOn't know how 1t happened; I sun
pose ! he'd not opened tho sprinr-doo
quite wide. and my jarring the roo
'tssssa ts:-hst lsaaea1J II stsn With