The Penn's Grove record., 1895-10-04

INH NbN O tSO
~ hunger before they
would have made an effort to till these
same fields or soil their dainty hands
by milking a COW.
Among the country relatives was
Aunt Tabitha Simonds. She began
life with q little amount Of property,
and had been known to have been very
economical for many years. She was 0
very peculiar woman, but received due
courtesy at the hands of some mem
bers OF the family on account OF
"what Aunt Tsbby might possibly do
for them"
The shrewd old lady intuitively
gagged these courtesies and knew just
where to draw the line, where true
Difference should manifest itself.
The Fosdicks we're a family of six,
father, mother, SOL and three daugh-
tiers. Celinda, CLARA and Marie were
the daughters, but were unlike in char
acter 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
a letter just received. 1t was Celinds
who spoke first.
"Of all thingsi That Aunt Tabby
should thrust herself upon us this sum.
meri 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."
"Celinda, I'm ashamed of you. Why
heed you be SO mercenaryP" exclaimed
her father, reprovingly. Celinds
scowled.
'T'm sure Aunt Tabby is smersen.
ary," she said, in q complaining tone.
'tIf she would ever do anything for ut
or make us presents 1t would be differ
emit, but she just scrimps all the time
and allows us to serimp, too" Celinda
tossed her head fretfully.
"And I'm sure she has no regard fol
the poetry of life," simpered Clara.
'Maybe Aunt Tabby doesn't care fol
the poetry in books, but she cares fol
another word that begins with p ant
that is practical : she takes right hold
to help with the housekeeping" sale
the tired, overworked Mrs. Fosdick.
eyes, indeedi don't know wha'
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 sucl
drudgery," exclaimed Clara, ~rollin,
her eyes towards the ceiling.
"Well, Clara, I can tell you on
thing" interposed Mr.. Fosdick
Books are all right enough in theil
places. Folks ought to have plenty o
'em and know what is In 'em, too
which is more than half of 'em can say
who have a big library. ALI the same
I guess if it wasn't for this same drudg
cry as you call it, you wouldn't bt
quite as comfortable as you are"
There was a little silence while Mr.
Fosdick drank his tea and then con
tinued:
"You like pie and cake we'll enough
but you don't want to go into thu
kitchen to help make 'em. Seems tt
me you might help mother and Marie
. little more"
"Ma says I 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" sale
Mrs. Fosdick. Gwen if Aunt Tabby
is old and sometimes queer and cross
I think we can manage"
''She needn't be SO queer" said Ce'
linda.
'fShe Dis just as she was made, if sh.
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 f%retful, complaining
voice of Celinda to ClafA's drawing
tones, and again with the cheerful,
practical words of the pleasant Marie.
Abner was something more than 6
farmers hand. He possessed q fine
physique and fair education, broadened
by q course of good reading. He
wanted to know how to run q farm.
He had views of = 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
the time when his home might be pre-
sided oven by a 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 b~lissfully ig-
aorant. : She worked about house all
day andserved Abner at table as grace
fully as il he were a titled guest.
Marie had 40 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 he stood in the
back porch, pausing for o few mo-
ments rest peIore soUtinH out Tor tins
bayfield, for tn. afternoons work. She
noticed he passed his hands YEARLY
W his psle, tired-looking face, and
turning suddenly to him, said:
spa, can't you sit down and rest g
little while? You look more tired
than usual"
"No, child. There's that lot to be
faked up this afternoon, and o good
job it is. I must be going"
Abner same near and said:
.T'm willing to work extra hard Oh
1t II you rest for q little while. / think
myself you don't look quite well. II
you will trust me I will look after
that this afternoon"
Mr.. Fosdick had learned to rely on
Abner-much more than on his OWE
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.
'sThen I guess you may go on, Alb
ner, and l will rest a spell. To tel
the truth / don't feel very scrump.
tious," and he seated himself in the
old-fashioned rocker out in the shady
side of the porch. He soon fell asleep.
Two hours passed, and Marie began Ia