The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-14

OIlCu, WICu i was 6I lux AOA =
been summoned to Aunt Tilda's pres
ence. not to dread the coming inter-
view.
AT last the cake was mixed and in
the oven. Josephine had departed for
school / was alone in the quiet kit
chen, except for Tabby, purifying con-
tentedly by the stove. The sun stream
ed in at the south windows, sending
long shadows of the thrifty geraniums
across the secured pine floor. 1t was a
cheerful room, and it looked unusual
ly attractive to me as l turned my back
on it to go to Aunt Tida.
I found her, seated by the window,
sewing on a shirt of John. She was
just biting off a nedlefu. of thread as l
entered. sit down, Anna" she SAID,
her teeth closing more firmly over the
thread. She nodded her head mOurnful-
ly once or twice over her sewing and
Their began. Anna, I van to speak
to you about josephine. That girl
certainly gets worse and worse every
day. This morning 1 distinctly saw her
laughing at me as I was looking after
the poultry. She ought to be taught
better
"Oh, Aunt Tilda. you know Josephine
is so foolish. She laughts at every
thing"
"Of course went on Aunt Tilda, as
if she had not heard me, Il know that
it is not an easy thing to do, but II
you hold her right up to it. you can do
it. I have seen worse girls than n
is completely subdued. Why. at
Madame Corson's, where I taught in
Baltimore, we had girls who would
giggle constantly. constantly. But we
were firm with them, and gave them
ten lines Of poetry to learn for each Of
o-o orl $hnu ryorn Cnnn cured If
only needs firmness. lust hold them
right up to it-um-m-m." She ended
with a curious little gurgle in her
throat, a sound not to be described on
paper. It contained mingled self-ap-
prevail and humility.
Aunt Tilda," said I desperately as
1 saw her nodding her head prepara-
tory to another e~Xhortation, Il am
afraid my cake will burn If l stay any
longer. You must tell me about
Josephine some other time," and with
haste l made my escape.
/ groaned in spirit as 1 opened the
over door and peeped in at the cake.
1t was soft and light and beginning to
brown-just what cake should be, in
fact. SO simple a thing was sufficient
to raise my spirits; and as 1 took the
broom from it's nail and prepared for
the weeks sweeping, Aunt Tilda ana
her peculiarities were far from my
thoughts. Only deep down In my mine
was a worthy resolve to keep Joseph
ines misdemeanors from Aunt Tilda's
knowledge.
But fate vas against me: l was
busting the dining-room, smiling a
little to myself at the thought Of
Johns dignity at the head of his own
table, when Aunt Tilda's voice sounded
down the back stairs:
"Anna!"
Eyes, Aunt Tilda." I laid down the
buster with a sigh, and went to the
foot of the stairs. What had Joseph
inc done now?
"Will you come up here?" said Aunt
Tilda, peering over the banisters, only
a shocked countenance visible.
What do you think Of that?" she
demanded dramatically, waving her
hand toward the open door of Joseph
ines room. IN the floor lay a large
black valise, it's contents spread out
to view-one of Josephine's p~etticoats,
a s~oup-ladle, and a mince pie.
I looked at Aunt Tilda. Her eyes
were fixed mournfully on the incogru-
Gus assortment in the bag. The sight
was too much for me.
Anna" said 1unt Tilda solemnly, Il
see nothing amusing about it. At Mrs.
Grahame's, in Philadelphia, servants
were often discharged for less offences
Than this. Why she evidently stole
that pie!"
Il ar. afraid she did, Aunt Tilda.
I will call her to account for 1t when
she home. I only hope I shall
be able to keep my face straight when
she explains how it came into her pos
session"
Without another word Aunt Tilda
wheeled about and left the room, dis
gust too deep for words in her very
back.
Her departure took away half the
fun of the situation. The bag with it's
ill-assorted contents remained staring
me in the face. What should I do with
the child? She was absolutely without
moral sense. Aunt Tilda had receipts
without number for developing un-
Improbable integrity. But I shook
my head after her own sceptical fash
ion as I thought of trying them on
Josephine. No she could be reached
only through her emotions. She was
quick to initiate, tOO-perhaps an
atmosphere of truthfulneSs might in
time develop a dormant sense Of hon
esty. If only Aunt Tilda would be out
Of the way when she came home from
school, I might perhaps make a little
impression on her.
But Aunt Tilda was in the kitchen
smoothing some laces when I heard
the back gate slam and saw Josephine
coming up the walk. My heart sank.
The mere sight of Aunt Tilda always
put her into a state Of smouldering in
subordination.
Josephine" said I, as she passed
quickly through the kitchen. Don't
go upstairs to take off your things;
just lay them in the back pantry, and
hen see that the table Is laid for lunch.
It is late"
There, Miss ANNIE" said Josephine,
in an aggrieved tone. beginning slow
ly to draw off her jacket, Il just know
ed you'd find MT out. 1 can't never do
anything without you do"
"Why, Josephine, what made you
wear your best waist to school?" I
asked in surprise.
Il just knowed you'd find it out"
she repeated in a tone of fatalism.
you see it was just this way, Miss
Annie" The patheti black ewes were