Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-09-29
Mechannswn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday September e. ;892

one half of the great chamber painted,
there came a tire mendous ring at the
door bell.
'uello!' said Tom, whose aerial post
chanced to be near the window.
Who is it. Tom p sald poor mamma,
all in futter.
Fanny was right about the telegram
not arriving in time said Tom. It's
Auut Wealthy, bag and baggage or its
some preposterous old woman or other,
with her head tied up in fannels and a
fur.epged silk cloak wrapped around
her like funeral pall.'
What shall we dv p said Fanny.
Make her welcome, Of course SAID
Tom.
But there IS nothing but cold corned-
beef and cabbage in the house for dia.
ner?' sighed mamma, who was, like
Martha of old, troubled about mary
things
ri go to the village for some oys-
ters, said Tom, and you shall see what
a stew I can get up
But how are we all looking?' cried
Fanny. And who is to 60 to the
doOr?'
4 will, said Tom.
We were all rather anxious to see this
laraway relation Of ours who was yet
all unknown quantity in lIfe's equa-
tlons. She proved to be little, slim
creature, with her face tied up as if for
toothache, blue goggles and black silk
hood projecting over her forehead one
who spoke but little, and that in a
strange muffled sort of manner who
seemed contented to sit and bask over
the fire, with her knitting in her lap
and her countenance averted.
I'm sorry you should catch us in
such a state Of confusion, Aunt
Wealthy said my mother, apologetical-
ly.
oh, it's nothing. said Aunt Wealthy.
If you had cnly received our tele-
gram began Fanny.
oh, it doesn't matter, said the old
lady.
Mamma said Fanny, IN whisper,
when we were setting the table, i do
believe she's crazy.
Nonsense, said mamma. All the
Wickes family are eccentric.
But do you notice how rapidly she
moves for an old person ?
That 8 nervousness, said mamma.
Presently Tom, dear, indispensable
old Tom, made his appearance with a
tureen of oysters and a pot Of real
French coffee, which be had brewed
himself after some mysterious college
recipe. Poor mamma, as bad luck
would have it, had one of her sick head
aches, and Tom assumed the general
ship Of everything during the next two
days. finishing the painting and paper
ing, directing us in our culinary opera.
tions, amusing the children with quaint
fairy tales, and administering valerian
and lavender to mamma with the most
caressing kindness and vigilance.
'Tom,' said l, 'what shall we do when
you 20 back to college duties?
Dear me- said Tom, what shall you
do ? Why 50 on just as you were going
before.
If | wasn't your sister, Tom,' said
Fanny, i declare | should fall in love
with you.
How Aunt Wealthy's eyes did twin
kle behind her blue glasses, to be sure !!
Bu: she never said Il word. OF all 81
lent ladies, Aunt Wealthy was the most
silent and inscrutable.
Once, however. I tried to be con6den.
tial with her.
Aunt Wealthy said |, showing her
the photograph Of the New York
beauty, do you know this girl?'
H. said Aunt Wealthy, with start.
Because SAID l, it's the girl our
Toms In loye with. And
oh! said she. Yes, l dare say.
But I've nothing to do with love aud
love Affairs. Heigho this east wind
doesn't agree with me. l think shall
90 home Tomorrow
And oh, how glad We all we're when
we heard her say that.
But that very afternoon the omnibus
from the depot ratified up to the door.
'' More company! said mamma, de-
spairingly, as the driver lifted big
trunk off the roof, and stout old lady,
with gold eyeglasses. carnation cheeks
and u jet black front Of false hair trun.
died into the liouse.
kiss me, my dear said she; I'm
your Aunt Wealthy Wickes.'
Mamma rccoled us if she thought
,nn,o l,n.t;o ,pylup bod hrokan 1oOse