The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-03-30

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Among tho country relatives was
Aunt Tabitha Simouds. She began
life with little amount Of property,
and had been known to have been very
economical for many years. She was II
very peculiar woman, but received due
courtesy ut the hands of some mem
bers OF tho family ON accnnnf of
what Aunt Tabby might possibly do
for them"
The shrewd old lady intuitively
gaugcd these courtesies and knew just
where to draw the line, where true
Difference should manifest itself
The Fosdicks were family of six,
father, mother, son and three daugh-
tcrs. Celinoa, Clara and Marie were
the daughters, but were unlike in char
ncter and personal appearance. Ce-
linda was the acknowledged beauty of
the family. Clara considered herself
of the most Importance in literary
matters, and Marie, the youngest, a
plain, sensible, good little daughter,
who made everybody happy.
Just now all were busily discussing
y letter just received. II was Cclinda
VINO spoke first.
''Of all things That Aunt Tabby
should thrust herself upon us this sum-
mer! And we might just rs we'll have
had some guest from the city who
would have returned the hospitality
for me next winter. Aud no knowing
whether VIC shall make anything out
of her.
"Celindn, I'm ashamed of you. Why
need you be so mercenary?" exclaimed
her father, reprovingly. Celinda
@cowied.
'i'm sure Aunt Tabby is mer: ser
ary," she SKID, in complaining tone
'If she would ever do anything for lis
or make us presents it would be differ
ent, but she just scrimps all the time
and allows lis to scrimp, too" Celinda
tossed her head fretfully.
"And I'm sure she has no regard for
the poetry of life" simpered Clara.
maybe Aunt Tabby doesn't care for
the poetry in books, but she cares for
another word that begins with p and
that is practical she takes right hold
to help with the housekeeping" said
the tired, overworked Mrs. Fosdick.
eyes, indeed! 1 don't know what
VIC would have done that hard summer
without her." said Marie, with CRATE
ful remembrance of Aunt Tabby's will
ing and ready hands.
'We ought to have souls above such
,irudgery," exclaimed Clara, rolling
her eyes towards the ceiling.
"Well, Clara, can tell you one
thing" intsrposed Mr.. Fosdick.
''Books are all right enough in their
places. Folks ought to have plenty of
'cm and know what is in 'cm, too
which is more than half OF 'em can say
who have big library. All the same,
/ guess if it wasn't for this same drudG-
cry rs you call it, you wouldn't be
quite RS comfortable rs you are"
There was little silence while Mr.
Fosdick drank his ten and then con-
tinued:
"You like pie and cake we'll enough,
but you don't want TO go into the
kitchen to help make 'em. Seems to
me you might help mother and Marie
little more"
"Ma says I bother her." replied
Clara, in al apologctic tone.
''Thats because you aiu't teachable,
like Marie. She had to learn"
'It's no use of fussing, girls" said
Mrs. Fosdick. "Even if Aunt Tabby
is old and sometimes queer and cross,
] think VIC can manage"
",;he needn't be so queer" said Ce-
linda.
"iShe is just as she WAS made, if she
is my sister, and we've got to make
the best of it," said Mrs. Fosdick,
rising wearily from the table.
Abner Mason, sitting in the kitchen,
had heard oil this conversation. He
compared the fretful, complaining
voice of Celinda to Clala's drawing
tones, and again with the cheerful,
practical words of the pleasant Marie.
Abner was something more than a
farmers hand. He possessed fine
physique and fair education, broadened
by a. course Of good reading. He
wanted - know how to run farm.
He had views of time when he might
own q farm of his own and he wanted
to learn how to utilize every acre.
He had also had his day dreams Of
the time when his home might be pre-,
sided over by fair, good woman, and
somewhere i'll the depths of his soul
had been registered purpose to make
Marie his wife.
But of this Marie was blissfully ig-
norant. She worked about house all
day and served Abner at table rs grace.
fully as if he we're titled guest.
Marie had no nonsense about her and
respected the young man who so faith
fully lightened her fathers toll.
On this particular afternoon she
watched her father as ne stood in the
back porch, pausing for n few mo-
ments rest before setting out for the
bayfield, for the afternoons work. She
noticed he passed his hands YEARLY
over his pale, tired-looking face, and
turning suddenly to him. said:
''Pa, cant you sit down and rest a
little whilc3 YOU look moro tired
than usual"
''No, child There's that lot to be
rakcd up this afternoon, and good
lob 1T is. / must be going"
Abner came near and said:
'I'm willing to work extra hard on
it il you rest for n little while. thinx (
myself you don't look quite we'll. If