South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-11-25

'"
who is it, Tomr said poor
mamma, all in futter.
Fanny was right about the tele-
gram not arriving in time, said
Tom. sIts Aunt Wealthy, bag
and baggage ; or it's some prepos-
ferrous old woman or other. with
her head tied up in fiannels aud q
fur-edged silk cloak wrapped a.
round her like . funeral pail
What shall we do ?, said Fanny.
Make her we,lome, Of course
said Tom.
'Bnt there is nothing but cold
corne6 beef and cabbage in the
house for dinner 7 sighed mamma,
who was, like Martha of old,
troubled about many things.'
I'li 90 to the village for some
OYSTERS said Tom, land you shall
see what stew ] can get up
But how are We all looking p
cried Fanny. And who is TO 60 to
the door p
Il will said Tom.
Wewere all rather curious to see
this PARKWAY relation of ours, who
was yet an unknown quantity in our
life's equations. She proved to be
a little, slim creature, with her face
tied up as If for toothache, blue
goggles and black silk hood pro-
jecting over hcr forehead wo-
man who spoke but little and that
in strange muffied sort of manner;
who seemed contented to sit and
bask ovcr the fire, with her knitti ng
in her lap and her countenance
sverted.
'1'm sorry you should catch US
in such q state of confusion, Aunt
Wealthy said my mother, apollo
getically.
'Oh, it is nothing said Aunt
Wealthy.
If you had only received our tel
egram' began Fanny.
ooh, it doesn't matter said the
old lady.
Mamma said Fanny in o whia-
per when we were setting the table,
Il do believe she's crazy
Nonsense, said mamma. tAll
the Wickes family are eccentric
But do you notice now rapidly
she moves for an old person.
That's nervousness, said mann
ma.
Presently Tom, dear, indispsnsa-
bic old Tom, made his appearance
with q tureen Of oysters, and . pot
Of real French coffee, which he had
brewed himself after some myste-
rious college recipe. Poor man ms,
AZ bad luck wonld have it, had one
of ner sick headaches, and Tom as
sumed the generalship of everything
during the next two days, finishing
the painting and pspering. dirnct-
ing us in our culinary operations,
amusing the children with quaint
fairy tales and administering vale
rian and redlayender to mamma
with the most caressing kindness
and vigilance.
Tom said /, what shall We do
when you go back to your college
duties p
Dear me-. said Tenn, what should
you dol Why, go on just as you
were going before
If wasn't your sister, Tom, >
said Fanny. 4 declare 1 should fall
in love with you.'
How Aunt Wealthy's eyes did
twinkle behind her blue glasses, to
be sure But she never said q
word. OF all silent old ladies,
Aunt Wealthy was the most silent
and inscrutable.
Once, however, tried to be con-
fdential with her.
Aunt Wealthy said I, showing
her the photograph Of the New
York beauty, do Won really know
the grip
IP said Aunt Wealthy, with a
start.
Because, said l, it's the girl our
Tom 70 in love with. And
ooh y said she. Yes, / dare say.
But I've nothing to do with love
and love affairs. Heigho this east
wind doesn't agree with me. ]
think / shall 90 home tomorrow.
And oh, how glad we all were
when we heard her say that
But that very afternoon the ON
nibus from the railway depot rat
tied up to the door.
More company said mamma,
despairingly, as the driver lifted q
big trunk of the roof. and q stout
old lady, with gold eyeglasses, car
nation cheeks and q Jet black front
of false hair trundled into the
house.
kiss me, my dear said she,
Pm your Aunt Wealthy Wickes'
Mamma recoiled as IL she thought
somo lunstio asylum had broken
loose.
But that'simpossible,' said she.
Aunt Wealthy Wickes is here al
ready
ooh, come, said the fat old la
dy, shaking all over with laughter
as IL she we're q mould Of jelly,
that's eli nonsense. Barbara Win
gate has played her little drama
long enough. OF with your dis
A