Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-10-09

W hunger before they
would have made an effort to till these
same fields or soil their dainty hands
by milking COW.
Among the country relatives was
Aunt Tabitha Simonds. She began
life with little amount of property,
and had been known to have been very
economical for many years. She was 8
very peculiar woman, but received due
courtesy at the hands of some mem
bers OF the family on account OF
"what Aunt Tabby might possibly do
for them"
The shrewd old lady intuitively
gauged these courtesies and knew just
where to draw the line, where trus
Difference should manifest itself.
The Fosdicks were a family of six,
father, mother, son and three daugh-
ters. Celinua, Clara and Marie were
the daughters, but were unlike in char
scter 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,
plain, sensible, good little daughter,
WbO OFSA cOoy hopPy-
just now all We're busily discussing
letter just received. 1t Was Celinds
who spoke first.
''Of all things! That Aunt Tabby
should thrust herself upon US this sum.
mer! And we might just as we'll have
had some guest from the city who
would have returned the hospitality
for me next winter. And no knowing
whether We shall make anything out
of her"
"Celinds, I'm ashamed of you. Why
need you be so mercenary?" exclaimed
her father, reprovingly. Celinds
scowled.
I'm sure Aunt Tabby is mer cen-
ary," she said, in complaining tone.
eff she would ever do anything for us
or make Us presents it would be differ
ent, but she just scrimps all the time
and allows US to scrimp, too" Celinds
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
"Yes, indeed! 1 don't know what
we would have done that hard summer
without her." said Marie, with a crate.
full remembrance of Aunt Tabby's will.
ing and ready hands.
1--WE ought to have souls above such
drudgery, exclaimed Clara, rolling
her eyes towards the ceiling.
well, Clara, 1 can tell you one
thing" interposed Mr.. Fosdick
Books are all right enough in their
places. Folks ought to have plenty Of
'em and know what is in 'em, 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 as you call it, you wouldn't be
quite as comfortable as you are"
There was little silence while Mr..
Fosdick drank his tea and then CON
tinued:
"You like pie and cake well 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 1 bother her." replied
Clara, in an apologetic tone.
That's because you amt 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 we can manage"
''She needn't be SO queer" said Ce~
linda.
''She 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 YEARLY from the table.
Abner Mason, sitting in the kitchen,
had heard all this conversation. He
compared the fretful, complaining
voice of Celinda to Cla.A'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 to know how to run q farm.
He had views of a time when he might
own a farm of his own and he wanted
to learn how to utilize every acre.
He had also had his day dreams OF
she time when his home might be pre-
sided over by fair, good woman, and
somewhere in the depths of his soul
had been registered q purpose to make
Marie his wife.
But of this Marie was blissfully ig-
aorant. She worked about house all
day and served Abner at table as grace
fully as if he were a titled guest.
Marie had no nonsense about her and
respected the young man who 30 faith
fully he ehtened her fathers toll.
On this particular afternoon she
~atched her father as ne stood in the
back porch, pausing for few mo-
pients rest oeIore soutinS odt 1or .oe
noticed he passed his hands weaTily
over his pale, tired-looking face, and
turning suddenly to him, said:
"Pa, can't you sit down and rest a
little while? You look more tired
than usual"
"No, child. There's that lot to be
faked up this afternoon, ana . good
Job it is. l must be going"
Abner came near and said:
'T'm willing to work extra hard on
it if you rest for little while. I think
myself you don't look quite we'll. II
you viii trust me I will look after
that this afternoon.
Mr. Fosdick had learned to rely on
Abner-much more than on his owr
son. Henry, who, if truth must be
told, was inclined to shirk. Henry
disliked the farm. In fact, he dis
liked labor or application of any sort.
''Then I guess you may go on, Alb,
ner, and l will rest q spell. To tel
the truth don't feel very scrump-
tious," and he seated himself In the
old-fashioned rocker out in the shady
-;do - <ba ,1aroh Ho ooou fo11 aaloep