The times., 1898-02-13

keep Josephine's misdemeanors from
Aunt Tilda's knowledge
But fate was against me: was dust
ing the dining-room, smiling a little
to myself at the thought of John s
dignity at the head of his own table,
when Aunt Tilda's voice sounded down
the back stairs:
''Annar
''Yes, Aunt Tilda." / laid down the
duster with sigh, and went to the foot
Of the stairs. What had Josephine 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?n she
demanded, dramatically, waving her
hand toward the open door of Jose
phine's room. On the floor lay large
black valise, its contents spread out to
yiew-one Of Josephine's petticoats,
soup ladle and a mince pie.
i looked at Aunt Tilda Her eyes were
fixed mournfully on the incongruous as
sortment in the bag. The sight was too
much for me.
Anna said Aunt Tiida. solemnly. IT
see nothing amusing about it, AT Mrs.
Grahame's, in Philadelphia, servants
were often discharged for less offenses
than this Why. she evidently stole that
pier
II am afraid she did, Aunt -Tilda.
| Will call her to account for it when
she comes home. j only hope Isshall
be able to keep my face straight when
she explains how il 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.
bal th. f.1.,
of the situation. The bag with its ILL
assorted contents remained staring me
in the face. What should l do with
the child? She was absolutely with
out moral sense. Aunt Tilda had rec
ipes without number for developing un-
impeachable integrity. But | shook
my head, after her own sceptical fash
ion, as 1 thought of trying them on
Josephine. No. she could be reach
ed 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 Tiida would be out
of the way when she came home from
school 1 might perhaps make little
on her.
But Aunt rilda was in the kitchen
smoothing some iaces when | heard the
back gate slam and saw Josephine COM
ing up the walk. My heart sank. The
mere sight of Aunt Tilda always put her
into a state of smouideri8g insubordina-
ton.
Josephine, said |, as she passed
quickly through the kitchen Don't go
up stairs To take off your things; just lay
them in the back entry, and then see
that the table is laid for lunch. II is |
late"
There. Miss Annie" said Josephine, in |
an aggreved tone. beginning slowly to |
draw off her packet II just knowed |
you'd find me out. 1 can't never do |
without you do"
why, Josephine. what made you wear
your best waist 10 school?'' | asked in
Il just knowed you'd find ii out. she
'epeated in a tone OF fatalism. You see
[ was just this way, Miss Annie" The
pathetic black eyes were fixed trustngly |
,n my face. The sleeves to that other
waist is too short. [ grow so pow'fui
asst. and them chl'un call me:
Nigey, ,niggymy,
Shorty sleeve and
Shiny eye:
20 I thought Ia just wear this one
We'll. don't stop now. Hurry about
he lunch
| had glanced at Aunt Tilda only once
Turing the interview. She was nodding
Ter head mournfully. and her glance as
[ met mine was full of meaning. To
ny great relief. however, she departed
With her laces before Josephine return
d from the pining-room-
Now. Josephine, if the table is ready,
want to see you about something up
stairs.
At the door of her room Josephine
,aused, looked in astonishment at the
,ag and its contents which | had left
pread out in the middle of the room
"Why. Miss Annie, she said, reproach-
ully. how'd you come TO be looking
ver my things?
How had l. indeed? l felt suddenly
onyictel of a very unladylike act. How
yer. it would never do to betray Aunt
-ilda's part in the matter. l preferred |
ueWering- her question with another
How did those things come to be
here. Josephine
"Well. Ienme see said she; that
! just put in there this
forming when l cl'ared up my room
looked 50 skiftless lying around
But, Josephine. it should have gone
to the wash, yesterday"
Yes m, l know: but l forgot" she
id parenthetically; and that thar
pup Iadle was so black, l knowed it
ould distress you. so 1 just put it in
ere till / could get time to scour it
}. 1t burned down in that bean soup |
3 had last Friday" She spoke as
e who gives sufficient explanation. I
And that pie?-lemme see-well,
w, Miss Annie, there really amt no
cd reason why that pie should be
ere said She shaking her head ju- /
,iaIly, and looking sympathetically I
me. as if together we had discoy- L
a culprit.
.Josephine" nv tone was fittingly | j
arn. this is too bad" U
Yes, Miss Annie. But / might just q
ay home from school this afternoon,
Id wash that petticoat and scour up 8
at ladle. and that thar pie could be y
uckled in the chicken-yard." Her C
ne was that of,one offering advice to
perplexed friend. y
mo, Josephines' 1 returned decid- eI
". You can put the shirt a-soak
w, and wash il out when you get 81
me from school tonight"
.An right. Miss Annie" very cheer a.
lily. But youth show me how to 81
ace down them sleeves, won't you?"
id she piously, as she gathered up ~
e bag W
Yes, Josephine
L suppose it WAS old Miss Tilda as q
und the bag she remarked in a
alter f-course tone, as she left the =;
ON.
Before we were married I had plan
to make an ideal home for John. :,
t such a combination as Aunt Tilda ~
1 Josephine had not entered into =,
calculations. l did not want to l"
e up Josephine. She had the MAX
: of valuable servant in her. Be- ss
es, had grown fond of the child -.
only John would see how hard it =,
s for me to live with Aunt Tilda, AZ
find some other home for her He =,
'bably thought that Aunt Tilda was ~ ~
most like a mother to me. ~
few evenings later. however, some