Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-28
t ! Storyette
CELIA'S MAIDEN AUNT.

have been staying with Jack and
Celia, and Jack has been in trouble
again. The morning after my arrival
ae came into the library, where | was
writing letters, and sank down rather
| aespondently into a chair.
Il say, Dot" he said in a lugubiious
voice, "Celia's maiden aunt is coming
GO stay with us
| Aunt Julia arrived the next day,
She is a tall, rather masculine, Or
should say, unfeminine looking lady,
with an aQuiline nose and Wiry, black
hair, slightly tinged with gray. Her
hands and feet were large and power
fdl, and her voice was one that car
ries'' She greeted Celia, who is her
! favorite niece quite effusively, and
then turned indifferently to me.
'WeH, Dot, so you're here again, %
she said and held my hand for a mo-
ment loosely in her palm, while l re-
piled cheerfully, like the clown in the
pantomime: Yes, Aunt Julia, here we
are again!"
Aunt Julia had decided views upon
many subjects, but, perhaps, more
especially upon the marriage question
than any other. I asked her during
dinner, quite innocently, of course, if
she did not think it quite right for q
man to marry a second time if his
! first wife died.
She looked down at her plate and
shifted angrily as if seeming battle
instead of mint sauce.
right" she said, contemptuOusly,
| tossing piece Of unofending lamb
from one side of the plate to the other
and upsetting thee green peas on to
the table cloth. 81 think it's neal
positively mean If a man wants two
, wives, let him take them both at once,
| two Or as many more as he likes, /
aal sure I don't care" This was only
natural since she was not likely to
| become one of them.) $50 long as q
man does it openly, say, | don't care
how many wives he takes at once,
but to marry a second time when the
poor dear first isn't there to prevent
him, | call that mean, indeed"
Here Jack, who only wanted 20 be
pleasant, put in cheerily: quite right,
Miss Anstruther, agree with you Ell
tirely. Let him take them all at
once, l say, and the more the meTrier,
and he smiled genially at Aunt Julia.
But his sentiments so annoyed Celia,
! ;c 4n no ipa Ions thar she
aearly began to cry. and we mad to
change the conversation.
Things went on smoothly for few
days, but gradually Aunt Julia's undue
Influence over Celia began TO show it
self, and at last it became marked, IN
deed.
Nv pretty sister came down to break
fast with her hair pushed straight of
her face and carrying a large book III
her hand.
Pour out Jacks tea, Dot" she said
hastily, because I am in hurry
am going out with auntie.'
'Where to, Cellar"
1--WE are going to a lecture on Nam
moth Antiquities" she said important
ly; and then, with sudden change OF
voice: 90, by the way, the tickets are
FIVE shillings each, have you half
sovereign, dear?'
eff you stay at home Aunt Julia vii
give you lecture for nothing" he sug
gested, as he handed her the money.
eyes, and she might give free Illus
J dc
the Mammoth Antiquities" I added
pleasantly.
Celia rose with dignity.
please do not make fun of auntie,
she said coldly; "she is exceedingly
clever, and she is going to help ms
with my education. She has lent m'
this book to read" she added, holding
up Whateley's Logic" as she spoke.
How kind Of her; you might lent
her my Bradshaw in return" retorte.
Jack, as he settled down to read hi
paper.
Poor Celia! Her symptoms becamt
daily worse and worse. She dressed
herself as much like Aunt Julia a.
possible, and wore coat and Skin
with a stiff collar, instead Of be
usual fluffy" garments, and she reaC
so much (although l don't believe sh'
understood a word she read) that sh'
quite wrinkled up her forehead.
Jack was first amused and ther
angry, and finally confded in me tina
he intended to ask Aunt Julia to go
but as she is rich and Celia has ex
j. pectations from her, persuaded hin
to forbear, promising il he would onl!
wait that l would get rid of her my
; self
This I managed to do in few days
II there Is one thing above anothe
our aunt dislikes it is music Musi,
of any kind has the same effect on he