The Somerset reporter., 1892-01-21
SELECTED.
Aunt Barbara S viii,

Mrs. Barbara Best was one OF the
sweetest. mt st peculiar old ladies in the
world. To begin with, she WAS very rich.
That in itself is, perhaps, not so much OF
popularity. But then she was spare and
crooked and withered up like a crab apple
which has hung too long on the tree, and
she wore little black satin cape and a
cap trimmed with ribbon bows, such a.
we're in fashion half century ago, and
she walked with a eold-hesded cane, la
Fairy Godmother; and her eyes spanked
weirdly through gold spectacles, aud her
hands weIe covered with little knitted
silk mitts. And as she sat by her draw
ing room fire, drinking chocolate and
talking to another witch like little old wo
man. they made very funny pair indeed.
yes" said Mrs Barbara. nodding her
head, al couldn't endure 1t any longer,
told her she must either give up me OF
give up her everlasting dabbiug in paint
and varnirh -
dear, dear" said Mrs. Fanshaw. the
second witch-like little old woman. "a
trihe more sugar in my chocolate, please
dear"
For my part, said Mrs. Barbara. Il
don't know what the world is coming to
In my time, we used to leave that sort OF
work to the trades. people. But Gladys
has an odd notion sbout independence
And she inherited some OF that alt'st-
blood from her fathers family. There
none of it in the Bests, rm very sure
"No, to be sure not" SAID Mrs. Fan
shaw.
"And told Gladys plainly that | would
not tolerate it, said Mrs. Barbara
Choose between us, said |. BE lady
or grubbing artist, which ever suits you
best. Because" said |, "if you don't con
suit my wishes | shall disinherit you and
cast you OIL | know of another youn.
relation whom | can adopt, and who
cares no more for art than | do for the
! Egyptisn obelisk.'
"And what did she say asked Mrs
Fanshsw, contentedly slipping her choco
late.
"she told me to do just ms plea ed, >
answered Mrs. B,rbara, IN an aggrieVed
tone of voice. because she said, she ln-
tended to take the same privilege"
What shocking ingratitude!' com
mented Mrs. Faushaw, heaving deep
sigh
"Of course we parted good friends,
said Mrs. Barbara. But Gladys knows
very well that | shall never see her again,
l. she has wrecked her own fortune, she
mas only herself to thank for it.
And where is she now5' asked Mrs.
Fanshaw
lin studio, somewhere on Sixth ave.
nue. solemnly answered Mrs. Barbara.
with a sign QUART Salesroom,' and
Painting aud Decorating Done to Order"
"Did you ever = SAID Mrs. Fanshaw.
And. by way of answer, Mrs. Barbara
only groaned-
But like IDvel very well, she added
Hes splendid young fellow, although
| sometimes find his college bills high
aud his How of spirits rather overwh. I'm
ing. But he's gentleman. A real Best y
"Djrs he know about GladysY Mrs.
Fanshaw asked, in mysterious whisper.
"Certainy not" said Mrs. Barbara,
"there is just enough of the Don tluixote
about him to make MIN 90 to sea or take
to verse writing or some other preposter-
Gus business If he thought he was stand
ing between Gladys and her fortune
which he isnl." Mrs. Barbara added with
,mpuasls. The money is mine, to leave
to whom please, and he Is just as near
relation on the side of the Besls, a.
Gladys is on the Maitlauds ~
Dear dear, how SILLY young folks are
said Mrs. FaI shaw.
"All want them to know is TIM | am
no to he trltl, d with said Mis- Birba7a
it'll the air Of Nero, in black satin and
| little coCkscrtw culls.
In truth Lovel Best was very frank,
oval patured. handsome young fellow.
lie liked Aunt Barbara because Aunt Bar
cara was kind to him, but he rallied ntf
to her face, leased her parrot, made her
pug bark, laughed at the stIi old portraits
! but ~ an