The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-23
The "Auntie sought'r" Society.

The "Auntie soueht'r" Society.
Ruthie Alden was the sweetest chile
in the whole world, at least so frel
happy mother and father thought, and
her cousins, Miriam Clark aud Sue
Walton, said so quite decidedly. She
was just about to celebrate her fiftt
birthday. Her mother had baket
small biscuits and cakes, and frosted
beautiful big sponge cake that ole
black Christie, the cook, had made.
Four tiny girls had been invited sc
that, including Ruthie, there would be
"zackly as many as I'm years old,
Ruthie said, clapping her dimpled
hands in her joy.
They all came in due time: Flosslt
Harris, Bessie Farley, Bertie Snow
and Dorothy Austin. They all brought
birthday gifts to the little hostess.
Flossies was o lovely bisque dol
with sweet blue eyes and shining vel
low hair. 1t was dressed with won
derful pink silk dress, ruffied and trim
med with lace. Bessie's gift was
great picture book full of brigh
stories. Bertie brought tiny set o
furniture, and Dorothy fine birthday
booklet.
Of course, Mr.. and Mrs. Alden gave
their daughter beautiful gifts in hono
of the eventful day, so with her many
loving remembrances and her party
the child fairly glowed with happl
ness.
The children ate their supper at
small table by themselves. Five can
dies burning in the center of it-blue
green, pink, yellow aud white. Five
tiny bouquets were arranged around
it, one at each plate. There were tiny
biscuits, cold chicken and pressed bee
sliced ON small pink-edge, platters
olives, frosted cakes, and 50 many
other good things that 1 cannot men
ton them all IN this space. And o
course there was wonderful Dlrln
day cake, all gaily frosted, with five
candles burning on top of it.
Such happy. happy time these fivt
little girls had from four o'clock until
seven, and then the four little guest.
went home"
Soon after that Ruthie's aunt, Mrs
Seldom, a lady of fashion, entered tht
house, bringing her maid with her
The latter united the chord of a pack
aye she had brought, revealing beau
tiful hat, upon the crown Of which {
bright-eyed red bird was poised grace
fully.
See here, dear, what 7 have
brought you for your birthday" sale
Auntie Seldom, taking the dainty ha
from the box and holding it up TO-
Ruthies admiration.
But what was the matter with th'
child? Mamma Alden and Auntl'
Seldom were astonished, for the brigh
child-face suddenly clouded, and tear
stood in the sweet blue eyes.
"Ruthie, darling, what Is the mat
ter?" asked mamma, anxiously.
"Do you not like that hat, dear !"
questioned Auntie Seldom.
II do; l fink it is ve'y pretty" ans
wered Ruth quickly, "but l dess
don't fink 1 better take it. 1 toult
not wear it, you know"
"Well, of all things ?" exclaimed
Auntie Seldom in a vexed tone.
II flank you, auntie, very much,
Ruthie said warmly, running and kiss
ing her aunt fondly. II fink you're
sweet and dood to bwing the hat tt
me, but touldn't wear it. IjusI
touldn't."
Ruthie was quite old enough to tall
straight" but for some reason sh'
never had, and now she said, he
voice trembling little:
~ b'long to Auntie Soughter."
my dear, how strange you act,
her mamma said. "Who under tin
sun is Auntie Soughter?"
"TOusin Sue'll tell you"
"OhW from Auntie Seldom, ligh
breaking. "Mrs. Walton has a new
cook, an old colored woman from
down South. Perhaps her name i
Auntie Soughter. Well, Ruthie, die
not think you would refuse Aunti'
Seldon's birthday gift because you've
fallen IN love with al old coloret
auntie."
II do love you auntie," asserted
Ruthie, stoutly, and then she br0k
down and sobbed. The outer doc
opened and closed, and in came Su
Walton and Miriam Clark, bringing
some gifts TO their little pet. Thei
surprise was great when they foun'
her in tears. Sue lifted her to her lap
and put her arms around her low
ingly.
"Tell cousin Sue the trouble
dearie," she begged.
"Auntie Seldom doesn't love me an.
more cause l b'long to Auntie Sough
ter" sobbed the child; "rell her abou
her, p'ease."
But never heard of her either
dear-who is she?" gently.
"Don't you know, in the little blu
room over to your house, how prom
ised."
Oh, you darling" !" and Sue gave he
little cousin squeeze, and then laugl
l ing and crying at the same time, sh
t made al explanation in the child
i behalf.
3 "You know" she said, ''our pc
hnsn't learned to talk correctly. Sh
! IL t.> fha islam