The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-04-26
A SERIOUS MISHAP.
What Game of My Not Attending
Aunt Durgin's Tea.

You never heard about Aunt Durgin's
tea? Well, it was very important tea
to me; it was the turning-point of my
whole life.
You see 1 was young, about sixteen
and Aunt Durgin was quito old and
queer. She had plentyo 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
an 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 l didn't know it
that she had about decided to give nae
the benefit that year.
If | had linown.-but it wouldn't have
made any difference it took shock to
teach me.
remember every moment of that day
as if it were yesterday: the result of it
seemed to burn every smallest event into
my brain. l can even remember the
pattern of forget-me-nots on the dress
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"
so, of course!' / answered, carelessly.
"Gou 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?" I
asked. 1--WE been trying to please her
ever since l wore bibs; but don't think
l shall ever do il unless 1 get a charm
to turn myself into an old woman at
once"
''She's more fond of you than you
think, said my mother-and | remem-
Der well 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."
swell, mind you give her no cause to-
night" said mother, opening the gate;
''and oh! did you remember to got those
pebbles off the roof for my Chinese
lilies?"
''No, forgot" said, "but I'll do it
before go out;" and the gate and tho
door closed at the same instant.
"But can't guess" said, as | went
slowly up the stairs again, whats up
tonight in particular.
With my mothers unusually serious
injunction in mind, l went up to my
room and laid out my one nice dress, to
be sure that ruffles were all in order,
and nothing should be wanting to delay
me at the last minute. Ievcn 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, ard 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 tho push to
get on in those days-or in these either,
for that ma tier. 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. was my
fathers best pupil, and at that moment
the desire of my heart was for q year of
lessons from great master abroad If
could only get the finishing touches
from that master, and the ecfdt of his
name, (Which goes good way, you
know, felt sure | 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 - Wen, we'll! lot
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 Durgip's tea. On
the way ! remembered the Chinese
lilies, so / passed on up TO the rooi,
whore there were always loose pebbles
from the gravel. Above the third story
was low garret. AS ! reached up TO
unlock the trap-door from the third
story into this attic, on which we had
put a spring lock after burglar had
scared us by coming down that way,
there came into my mind, with almost
ominous distinctness, my fathers eau
tion:
"Now remember he said, neoer go
into the attic without putting something
under the door, so that 1t can't fall amt
lock you out, whatever happens
paused. | hrd nothing to pvt under.
Iglanced around the attic nothing was
there. l should have to go downstairs,
and had no time To spare.
'I'll be careful" said to myself,
''sad it'll be all right. ksther's fussy.'