The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-11-18
THE SQUIRE'S TAX-RECEIPTS.
BY GENEVA MARCH.

The janging old eight day clock
had just struck ten. The breakfas,
dishes were all washed up, the floor
was swept as clean as new pin, and
all the dead leaves were picked of
from Sadie Denton's veIve;y masses
OF geraniums in the window, and Aunt
Sally had just taken out her basket OF
family mending and adjusted the spec
tacles she wore at her book and
needle.
Aunt Sally had just turned her for
ueth year, a plump, CHEEKY checked
old maid, with a heart as young as it
had been al sixteen, and a marvellous
way of identifying herself with the
hopes and joys.and fears of the younger
generation. Nobody fell in love in
all the neighborhood, but that Aunt
Sally was straightway intrusted with the
secret of it; no afare du oelr came to
an untimely blight, but that Aunt Sally S
was the faithful breast on which de-
scended oceans of tears; wedding,
christening, and funeral were ali incom.
plete with out the aid and counsel and
presence of Aunt Sally Denton.
Aunt Sally Oh, Aunt Sally where
are you7
And Sadie Denton came in with
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes-a
p,c.tv young girl of eighteen, with
satin -b.'own hair, eyes like sherry wine,
and ripe SCARLET lips. Her simple
calico dress fitted ..-- " cccA ---.iiQRy orth' S
OVID, her black sateen apron was r,9::
broidered with cherry silk in the cor
ners, and tt cambric ruffle around
her neck was fitted by her own busy
fingers.
I've got letter from him, Aunt
Sally said Sadie breathlessly. A let
ter l found under the forth rail of the
fence by the big elGerberrv.
A letter dear? But what will your
father say?
| can't help what pa says, said Sadie
defiantlY. | love Jasper Carleton, and
he loves me, and we mean to be mar
ried just as soon as he can save up
money enough to rent Miller's farm
SO there now, and
Hem Hem hem NM!
Like the notes of a French horn, the
Squire's deep sonorous method of
clearing his throat announced his COM
ing, even before his footsteps sounded
on the outer kitchen doorstep; and, at
the premonitory sound, Sadie's cour-
age evaporated like March mists in
the sunshine.
On, Aunt Sally, he's coming! she
said. What shall | dor
With a quick motion of the hand,
Sadie slipped the tell tale letter back of
the clock. where the almanac, Aunt
Sally recipes for soft gingerbread, and
the Squire's tax receipts were thrust,
cheek by jowl.
Scarcely had she hidden it away,
when the Squire himself came ina
great sunburned six tooter OF an agrl-
cultural giant.
Hello said he. Where's them
taxes. Pm going to town and | may
as well pay 'em to-day as any time
though l always did say, and always
will, to the day OF my death, as it amt
noway fair that /, with no children to
send to school, should pay eight dol
lars year school, tax.
FL get them for you, pa, SAID Sadie,
turning pink.
| can reach 'em, criediAunt Sally.
But the Squire reached his long arm
over their heads.
I'll get EN- myself, said ne. Guess
l hasn't lost the use of my hands yet.
Lemme see school tax for 1900
Hello what's this-a letter. My
darling little Sally! Hello!
Sadie Denton uttered little shrek.
Aunt Sally dropped the mending, basket
and out rolled four pair of striped hose,
kitchen apron, and two tea towels.