The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-06-26
THE STOLEN
BRACELET : .

Inc price 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 Eighhyer, 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 large basket
with two handles.
what are those, Bridget ?" she
said family. Bridget Uttered.
S'They're luggage, mum" 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 p
"a pleasant surprised 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 tidy and per-
fectly respectable, but with as little
pretense to fashion as Noah and his
wife.
Mrs. Lester summoned up smile.
Ii "Aunt and Uncle Trotters, ] de-
clare" she said.
81 knowed you'd be astonished,"
said the old lady.
SsWell, how are you both % said
Mrs. Lester.
ooh, we're rniddlin'," said the old
lady; Sbut Aunt Jenkins, she's had
rhe'matlz 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 calf and
half his chickens"
After this remark there was a
pause. The old gentleman broke it.:
''When thing has got to be got
over, it's best done. You won't be
offended, / hope, Augusta ?''
CAT what ?" asked Mrs. Lester.
GU see, twas better'n not COM
m at all, but we've got to run
away right after tea. My wife says,
Ior', Timothy, what will Gusty and
her pardner think of us after not
oein' to see 'em for year?' Says L:
Shell excuse us, seem we hain't no
time, but have got to go by the
night train. Next time,' says I,
well stay week Now, you amt
offended? ?"
Mrs. Lester rang the bell.
''Take my cloak and bonnet up
stairs" she said to the girl, "and
ell cook to have dinner early"
Then Mrs. Lester smiled and sat
down in all her splendor before the
ire to listen to accounts of the
Smiths' pigs and Browns cow and
how Sally Sprigg's help stole the
BEST tablecloths until a well known
ring at the bell announced Mr.. Les
ter. Thereupon his lady for once
played the afectionate wife and ran
to meet him.
''Aunt and Uncle Trotters are
here" she said.
Mr.. Lester scowled.
Gracious heavens" he ejaculat-
ID. "And the Atwoods are coming
spend the evening with us. They
re stopping at the Fifth Avenue
cotel for a few days"
uncle and aunt are going imme-
lately after dinner said Mrs. Les
er, "and fortunately I've ordered it
arly. Don't be cross, George, for
GU know they haven't chick or
hid and for all their shabbiness
re very well off,"
AS far as an early dinner went
[rs. Lester did her part, but the
rotters were slow going folk.
When at last the bonnet strings
ere tied and the gloves on, Aunt
rotters bethought her of a new
use for delay.
'cPoor Aunt Jenkins will never
rgive us if we don't take letter
ON you" she said. "Jest sot
,wn, Gusty, and write a line"
Mrs. Lester smiled down her in
gnation and sat down to pen the
rte.
The gilt edged paper, pens and
< were arranged, thoughts collect
and nnlita svnonathv for Amt