Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-04-09
NJ A Z | E..

great city of New York sat two girls.
One was grumbling and fussing over
an old brown silk dress They were pretty
girls, and poor. Their only living rela-
lives were maiden aunt and a cousin.
Miss Evelina Hayes, their aunt, had
great many pets-parrots, cats, etc.-all
of which she priced far more than these
Two grandnieces of hers, Maize and EIo-
ise Laurance
The girls were brunettes, with rich
chestnut hair and great, fawnlike eyes.
Eloise was three years Mazie's senior, but
the two were so much alike that, If Maize
had looked just little older, and Elose
Just a little younger, one might easily
have supposed them twins.
II say, FL, Maize began. "Im sick
and tired of this plagued old New York,
and think Aunt Evy might ask us to
spend the summer with her, or give us
month on the mountains. We will have
10 find some cheap place in the country.
and we will roam through the woods and
Iish and"
"Oh, yes! know" exclaimed Eloise.
But after we have given up our stua-
lions and spent our money, what would
I've do, and how would we live next win
ler?" and she shook her head.
Then we would play Mr.. Micawber
and wait for something to turn up and
then there is no knowing what may hap
pen before winter. We might marry"
Most likely" said Eloise dryly.
"Or die, " Maize continued, not notic-
ing the interruption. "Or, if Aunt Evy
Ioesn't relent and take us in, and if she
doesn't do that, she might-er-doa as Har-
Did said, when boy, his dog did, kick
the bucket and-er-leave part of her
vast fortune to her 'impertinent, parrot
poodle despisng niece, Maize Evelina
Laurance,' or to her dearly beloved
niece, Eloise Hayes Laurance,' or per-
haps-"
"Mazie Laurance, said Eloise. going
up to her sister and playfully feeling her
pulse. You must have fever and are
delirious. How you talkl What prepos-
terOuS-"
"Oh!" said Maize with little gasp.
"Iiand me the dictionary! What is that
word, ma'am?" very meekly. "Pre-pos-
ferrous! Obi" and Maize fell back in heI
chair, quite exhausted.
well, Maize seriously now, am sure
you should not speak SO of Aunt Evy,
and would not if you thought for min
ute. Because she disinherited mother
for marrying her despised neighbours son,
and now takes no notice of her niece's
daughters, is no reason why we should
speak disrespectfully of her.
"Ha! ha! l know why Aunt Evy did
not like her neighbor, Grandma Laur.
ance. Grandma had a parrot, too, and
Polly Laurance was not SO stupid as
Folly Hayes, and could talk best, and
then grandma's pug was sleeker and
prettier than Aunt Evy's. Sufficient
reasons for Aunt Evy's dislike.
Maize threw her unfinished dress on a
chair close beside her, as she ceased
speaking and lay back in her chair,
closed her eyes, and rocked swiftly back
and forth.
ell" she exclaimed, stopping so short
and with such queer little jerk that
Eloise started.
"What?"
I've an idea !" said Maize, hauling out
an old writing desk, made of a pasteboard
box with an inkbottle stuck in a hole in
one corner; and, taking from the box
some neat though cheap note paper, be-
gan to write.
well, Maize I'm sure hope you have
great many ideas. suppose you have
possessed yourself of an extraordinary
article of that kind |" and Eloise laughed.
"Oh, you needn't laugh. If you knew
how much in earnest am you wouldn't.
Hes, it is most extraordinary idea.
Maize soon finished the writing, and
handing the paper to Eloise, addressed
an envelope, and put the necessary stamp
on its corner.
Read it, and pass judgment, she said
with a mischievous smile.
1t cost Eoise no little effort to keep
her face straight. knowing both Maize
and her aunt so well. while she read:
New YORK. July 81. 1888.
DEAREST AUNr:-1 trust you have recovered
from your recent illness. of which we beard
through a mutual friend. Neither Eloise nor
myself are feeling at all we'll. II is dread
fully warm. and we. as we have heard from
good authority that there were several cases
of cholera in this part of the city. have de-
cided that if we could find good place within
our means. which are very small, we would
leave the city. and take q short vacation. Al.
you have been to great many quiet summer
resorts, could you not recommend some place
to which we could go. and get cheap board in .
good family2 AS have said. our wages are
small, and so. of course are our savings Though
we live on very little) and We must uso them
odv "a lnnk k{po nj
badly. and needs rest and change so much.
and am not at all well. Oh. il is dreadful Ia
he so poor and have no one to help you! lf We
could only 60 to the country. even for only a
week. we could get SO well and strong. When
have you heard from Cousin Harold2 Givs
him our regards when next you see or write to
him. Please answer this letter at your earli'
est convenience. naming some cheap place fot
US. | inclose a stamp with which TO defray
all expenses OF answering this. Please excuse
my writing to you. but We have no one to tell
US what to do and we thought no one had more
right to advise than yourself. our dear moth
er's own aunt ld our only living relative. OK.
ccpt Cousin Harold Hoping and awaiting
your immediate reply, am your loving niece.
MAZIs EvELINA LAURANoH.
Eloise laughed wnea she looked up al
Maize. She couldn't help it Mazu
locked really comical with such funny
smile on her pretty face.
surely, Maize, you do not intend to
send this?" said Eloise, growing serious.
~ hint to the wise is sufficient you
lnow. I want to see if Aunt Evy is wise.
] she is, she'll either ask us to go thee,
or send us the money to go to the mount
aims See?" said Maize, who could net
or would not see any harm in it.
Don't send it. Maize, it will make her
very aupry She is so 0ueer "said ElOiSe