Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1902-05-30
THE STOL IN
BRACELET = q

4
The pride of Mrs. Testers heart
was vested in her diamonds. With
out these diamonds, Mrs. Lester of
ten remarked, she would feel like
nobody. Consequently when Miss
Arabella Tiptop espoused Mr.. Au-
gustus Highhyer, and the pair gave
their grand reception prior 10 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, mammoth valise of
dingy yellow and a large basket
with two handles.
what are those, Bridget" she
said family. Bridget Uttered.
They're luggage, num-" she
said. "Nou'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 surprised" muttered
Mrs. Lester, and with anything but
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 tidy and per-
fectly respectable, but with as little
pretense to fashion as Noah and his
wife.
Mrs. Lester summoned up a 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.
ooh, we're middlin'," said the old
lady; "but Aunt Jenkins, she's had
rhe'matiz a 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 ?"
cat what,?" asked Mrs. Lester.
"1ou see, twas better'n not COM
in at all, but we've got to run
away right after tea. Ny wife saws.
'Lor', Timothy, what will Gusty and
her pardner think of us after not
bein' to see 'em for year?' SAYS |:
She'll excuse us, SEEM we hain't no
time, but have got to go by the
night train. Next time,' says l,
we'll stay week Now, you amt
offended ?''
Mrs. Lester rang the bell.
"Take my cloak and bonnet up
stairs" she said to the girl, ''and
tell cook TO have dinner early"
Then Mrs. Lester smiled and sat
down in all her splendor before the
hre 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 aifectionate wife and ran
to meet him
Aunt and Uncle Trotters are
here" she said.
Mr.. Lester scowled.
Gracious heavensw he ejaculat-
ed. "And the Atwoods are coming
to spend he evening with us. They
are stopping at the Fifth Avenue
hotel for few days"
Uncle and aunt are going imme-
diately after dinner" said Mrs. Les
ter, land 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 we'll 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
were tied and the gloves on, Aunt
Trotters bethought her of new
cause for delay.
"Poor Aunt jenkins will never
forgive US if We don't take a letter
from YOU" she said. "Jest sot
down, Gusty, and write line"
Mrs. Lester smiled down her in
dlgnation and sat down to pen the
note.
The gilt edged paper, pens and
ink were arranged, thoughts collect
ed and polite sympathy for Aunt
Jenkins rheumatism expressed
Mrs. Lester found the bracelet ex-
ceedingly in her way, and impa-
tently unclasping it fling it on the