The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-06-25


sister to Hiram, who for some years
had lived entirely isolated from her
brother. She decided TO pay Hiram
visit, and, accordingly, one day some
weeks after the Christian aid society
meeting she alighted at Hiram's door.
Hiram was not particularly glad to
see his sister, for 10 tell the truth she
had an uncomfortable way of speaking
her mind that Hiram did not like. He
distinctly remembered several occasions
when she had freely spent her opinion
of him and his way of doing, and she
had not always considered him in the
light of an injured Innocent. He
knew that she would soon discover the
relation existing between himself and
his daughter, and he felsmorally GER
tain that her synpathies would be with
the latter, and that blowing up" for
him would be the result
Sarah was not glad to see Miss
Blatchford either; and she not only
shared in Hiram feelings, but she was
inclined to look upon any of his people
as interiopers when they presumed to
visit the house that ought to be sacred
to the Spicklers She feared, moreover,
that this strong-minded woman would
jar on her nerves, for she had under.
stood from her husband how Miss
Mitchell waS inclined to give vent, in
no uncertain terms, TO her honest opin-
ions. Sarah felt that she was a good,
sanity creature; yet she was not anxious
that anyone should speak the truth
about her in her presence. If she could
Ahave had her desire in the matter, she
you'd have had Miss Mitehell's visit
stponed indefinitely. ~
Of course Hiram and Sarah made. -
Effort to welcome her, but the ed
was very much constrained, and WAS
lacking ii warmth and feeling. Miss
Mitchell either did not notice this, or
ignored it for reasons of her own. and
proceeded TO make herself at home in
her brothers house after her own pc
culiar fashion.
Aunt Mitchell, as she was usually
called by those who knewher we'll, was
of cold, taciturn disposition. She was
distant and unsocial toward those who
were her best friends, and toward
strangers, or those whom she disliked,
she was frigid to the last degree She
had lznack of forming a pretty correct
estimate OF people on first sight, and
her IIrst-formed opinion of Mrs. Batch
ford vas anything but hattering to that
lad S Christian character Mr.. Batch
ford rdattempted to make up to her erratic
sister-in-law, but on each occasion met
with such a cold repulse that she soon
gave up the effort.
Aunt Mitchell preserved quiet, cold
dignity in her department to her
brother and his wife, and avoided their
society as much as possible. When she
was forced into their presence, how
ever, she maintained the bearing of one
who is making strong effort to hold
herself in check. BY her constrained
manner, she not only succeeded in
making an icy atmosphere in the house,
but she caused the household to feel
uncomfortable, and gave Hiram spell
of nervous fits Every one felt that she
would not keep up this rigid deport-
ment for many days, and they were as
surcd that when she did break loose
there would be terrible explosion.
Thus for week Aunt Mitchell kept
the family on the needles of suspense.
Mrs Blatchford grew SO nervous in the
meantime that every unusual noise
caused her heart to cease beating.
Blatchford worked himself up to such a
point of uneasiness that he stood in mo-
mentary dread of some great misfor-
tune. AS for old Mrs. Spicklcr, Aunt
Mitchell knocked her clear out of the
ring at first sight. The icy bow and the
piercing look she gave that old lady
on the occasion of their introduction
was sufficient to terrorize her for all
time to come. Mrs. Spickler was the
possessor of considerable spirit, and
many people had quailed before her
gaze, but she was not equal to Aunt
Mitchells cutting glance. She tried to
avoid Aunt Mitchel's eyes after that
first meeting, and if by chance she did
catch glance from them she wilted
and shrank until she felt that she was
but an atom of humanity mere speck
Of flesh and blood.
One morning the Blatchford house
hold were assembled at breakfast,
when Aunt Mitchell came in little
late. A glance at her face as she cold
ly nodded her salutation was enough to
reveal the fact that her feelings were
struggling vehemently to break loose,
She sat down to the table with q snap,
and putting'hersef in the most rigid at
titude, preserved a perfect silence.
I Blatchford was detailing to his wife the
[ particulars of plan for the repainting
/ and repairing of the church,
at can be done for hundred dol
lars" he said, "and that amount can be
easily raised"
81 should think 50" replied Sarah.
"You will give something, know"
Eyes, l have already subscribed
twenty-five dollars. Ten for myself,
ten for you and five for mother"
Aunt Mitchell said nothing just then,
but the corners of her mouth began to
| twitch and she iabbed her fork into the