The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-07-17
THE STOLEN
BRACELET e .

CSA IGludIkeu, size eWOulu leel Ike
nobody. Consequently when Miss
Arabella Tiptop espoused Mr.. Au-
gustus Highfyer, and the pair gave
their grand reception prior to their
European tour, Mrs. Lester donned
her jewels and in gala attire pro-
ceeded to make her call. 1t was a
formal affair and soon over, and
Mrs. Lester returned home antici-
pating no change in her domestic
arrangements, but to her surprise
the moment she entered the hall her
eye encountered, perched on the two
hall chairs, a mammoth valise of
dingy yellow and a large basket
With two handles.
'SWhat are those, Bridget" she
said family. Bridget Uttered.
They're luggage, num-" she
said. you've got company, an ould
gentleman and an ould lady. They
are in the back parlor, and they bid
me say nothin', bekase they'd like
to give you pleasant surprise
"a pleasant surprisew muttered
Mrs. Lester, and with anything but
a happy expression on her counte-
nance she sailed toward the back
parlor.
There on either side of the fire
sat an old lady and gentleman, GER
tainly very clean and It'd y and per
feetly respectable, but with as little
pretense to fashion as Noah and his
wife.
Mrs. Lester summoned up smile
Aunt and Uncle Trotters, [ de-
clare" she said.
81 knowed you'd be astonished, .
said the old lady.
''Well, how are you both ?" said
Mrs. Lester.
"Oh, we're middlin','' said the old
lady; "but Aunt Jenkins, she's had
rhe'matiz year, poor soul, and
Toms children have got the whoop-
in cough awful, and Sary's boy
tumbled off the barn, where he
hadn't no business to be, and put
his shoulder out, and Pete Brown,
he's lost three cows and a calf and
half his chickens
After this remark there was a
pause. The old gentleman broke it !:
when a thing has got to be got
over, it's best done. You won't be
offended, hope, Augusta %
At what 2" asked Mrs. Lester.
'SYou see, twas better'n not COM
in at all, but we've got to run.
away right after tea. Ny wife says,
Ior', Timothy, what will Gusty and
her pardner think of us after not
bein' to see 'em for year?' Says I:
She'll excuse us, SEEM we hain't no
time, but have got to go by the
night train. Next time says /,
well stay a week Now, you amt
ofended?"
Mrs. Lester rang the bell.
''Take my cloak and bonnet up
stairs" she said to the girl, land
tell cook to have dinner early"
Then Mrs. Lester smiled and sat
down in all her splendor before the
fire to listen to accounts of the
Smiths pigs and Browns cow and
how Sally Sprigg's help stole the
best tablecloths until well known
ring at the bell announced Mr.. Les
ter. Thereupon his lady for once
played the affectionate wife and ran
to meet him.
"Aunt and Uncle Trotters are
here" she said.
Mr.. Lester scowled.
Gracious heavens!" he ejaculat-
ed. "And the Atwoods are coming
to spend the evening with us. They
are stopping at the Fifth Avenue
hotel for a few days"
@Uncle and aunt are going imme-
diately after dinner" said Mrs. Les
ter, "and fortunately I've ordered it
early. Don't be cross, George, for
you know they haven't chick or
child and for all their shabbiness
are very well Off"
As far as an early dinner went
Mrs. Lester did her part, but the
Trotters were SLOW going folk.
When at last the bonnet strings
we're tied and the gloves on, Aunt
Trotters bethought her Of a new
cause for delay.
'SPoor Aunt jenkins will never
'orgiye us If we don't take letter
rom you," she said. "Jest sot
Town, Gusty, and write line
Mrs. Lester smiled down her in
6gnation and sat down to pen the
tote.
The gilt edged paper, pens and
nix were arranged, thoughts collect
d and polite sympathy for Aunt
enkins' rheumatism expressed.
1rs. Lester found the bracelet ex-
eedingly in her way, and impa-
a L