Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-12-05

white cap, a check turnover pinned across
her breast, was seated at the head, her
husband-out of the house for the day
sat at her right hand; and her notions of
hospitality were evidently a survival
from more prosperous days, for the dir
ner consisted of roast duck, beer ard
sultana cake.
felt our intrusion on such scene was
Hnwarrantable, and | whispered to Aunt
Charlotte TO come away and leave tho
poor old couple To finish their dinner in
peace II was already too late however.
Mrs. Midwinter started at Aunt Para
morfs ejaculation of Wei. Mrs. Mid
winter! and she rose from her place t.
courtesy and say-effecting the introduce
ton, | thought, with some dignity
My husband, maam, if y@u VIII ex
cuse my saying so, out of the house for
the day. Albert this is the lady | fold
yon about who has been so kind to me
in the matter Of the hundred of coal.
The old maa rose. and with trembling
fingers touched his forehead, cycling his
ell-hled plate longingly the while
II hope he is enjoying himself. | ana
surer' said Aunt Charlotte The sar-
casm implied in her tone was quite cyl
dent to me, but was entirely thrown
away upon Mr.. Midwinter.
'Thankin you kindly. ma 'am,'' Tie said.
as he seated himself again, pretty mid
to you tor your visit TO our 'umlle
ONE"
Albert, said Mrs. AIidwinter. in
warning voice, '.allnw me To speak. Nav
| have the pleasure of offering you 4
chair? she said to Aunt Paramor And
Won, ma'amE" she added as she caught
sight of me. almost hidden behind Aunt
Charlotte's portly frame.
THE tobacco. ma am You were so kind
as 10 give me the money for was much
blessed to my poor husbands consump
ton. Albert. thank the lady
Albert" murmured his thanks.
Aunt Charlotte declined the chair.
you,' she said in a tone of extreme Sc
verify Il merely called in 10 say that
would allow you n shilling's worth of GRO
ceries week instead of the coal during
the summer months; but / see that you
are well able 10 provide Injuries for
yourself and have no need Of assistance
from me-"
Her eyes. / knew, had noted every de
tail-the sultana cake which took the
place of bread on the table, the blue and
white pint mugs OF frothy beer. the large
brown pot of tea stewing on the hob.
Mrs. Midwinter was SO deeply panied
by Aunt paramor's attitude that for
once her command of language fersook
her. She quite forget to explain away
the duck and the sultana cake, as she
was able to do later She only MUIR
INJURED something 20 the effect that Aunt
Charlotte would feel different if she had
a poor old husband out from the house
for the day, and that even a husband
for the union was responsibility re-
sponsibility the Almighty had laid upon
her she dared rot fling aside, and which
groceries would help her to support.
"A nice thing" said Aunt Charlotte,
FACILITATING with Indignation, as we took
our places once more in the carriage.
| why, | refused ducks myself only yes
terday because they are so outrageously
! dear at this time of the year And
! am expected to- find coal to cook luxu-
ries such as | cannot afford myself for
an old man whom | am already con-
| tributing to support in more comfort
than he deserves in the workhouse! T
was never more deceived in any one in
nv life than | have been in Mrs Mid
winter!"
| endeavored to put Mrs Midwinter's
hospitality in more favorable light hut
Aunt Charlotte only withered me with
illusions to my own extravaganza and
bad management.
| am not a bit surprised TO hear from
Mrs. Midwinter herself that she has since
left the Wesleyans and taken refuge with
the Baptists.-Florence Popham in