Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-02-03
Sunny Bank Farm
FLOYD LIVINGSTON
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.,

was to bring my uncle and aunt, it is not
surprising that she hurried rather faster
than was wholly agreeable to the little
girl, who could see no good cause for suct
haste, even if Herbert Langley-lny
aunts son, and 4 youth of seventeen
was to accompany her. l, however, who
was older, read things differently; snd
when Anna pulled Lizzie's curly hair anc
washed Carries nose up instead of down
uEtl they both cried, and when she her
self stood before the glass a whole hall
hour, arranging, just in front OF hel
ears, two spit curls," sometimes called
beau catchers," l shrugged my shout
ders, wondering if she thought city
boy wou' care for her.
The morning train from Boston was
due about ten O'Clock, and as Sunny
Bank did not then boast a daily omli-
bus, it was necessary that some one
should be at the depot in order to meet
our expected guests. At nine O'Clock
father and old Sorrel started for the
depot, which was distant about two and
a half miles Long and wearisome to us
children was that waiting for ais return
for stiff and prim as starched white
aprons and best gowns could make US,
we sat in a row like so maay automa-
tons, scarcely daring to move. lest we
should displace some article or dress. In
the best chamber-the room which Aunt
Charlotte was to occupy-a cheerful
wood fire was burning. and at least a
dozen times did grandma go up there
to see if all were right--now smoothing
the clean linen pillow case, now moving
the large easy chair little more to the
center of the room, and again wiping
g.. 81 l-c
of dust.
As she was coming down the twelfth
time, the sound of sleigh bells took us all
to the window, where, instead of the
costly furs and rich velvet wrappings of
Aunt Charlotte, we saw the coarse plaid
shawl and dark delaine hood of Aunt Bet
sey, while at her side was the shaggy
overcoat and sealskin cap of her better
half, Uncle Jason. This worthy couple,
good enough in their way, lived in Union,
about nine miles from Sunny Bank,
where, for the last ten years, they had
been in the habit of spending Thanksgiy-
ing without ever seeming to think it pos
sib,e Tor them to return the compliment.
Although we had never seen Aunt Char
lotte. we knew full well that there was
nothing in common between her and Aunt
Betsey, and after a long consultation it
had been decided not to invite the latter,
who, as it proved, did not deem an invi-
tation necessary.
Uncle Jason was my fathers half
brother, and the step-son of grandma,
who, the moment she saw them, exclaim-
ed: What sent them hereY Before any
of us could reply, the door burst open,
and the loud, boisterous laugh of Uncle
Jason gseeted our ears. intermingled with
the squeaby tones of Aunt Betsey, who,
addressing my mother, said, How dye
dew, Fanny? You pretty we'll? | s'pose
you're loOkin' for us, though you didn't
send us no invite? Jason kinder held off
about comm; but l telled him twas
enough sight easier to eat dinner here
than to cook it to hum"
! With as gooid a grace as she could
possibly assume, mother returned her
greeting, and then, taking her into her
own bedroom, asked her to remove her
bonnet, at the same time telling aer she
vas expecting Uncle Joseph and Aunt
Charlotte from Boston.
Now, you don't say it." exclaimed
Aunt Betsey. Now, dew tell If that
+ puckerin' thing is a-comin'i How nipped
up we shah have to be! I'm so glad
wore this gownv she continued looking
complacently at her blue and white plald,
the skirt of which was very short ana
scanty. besides being trimmed at the
bottom with two narrow rutfies.
With her ether peeuliarities Aunt Bet
seT united that Of jealousy, and after
getting herself warm, and looking round
ne was her custom, she commenced with,
Now. if l won't give.upl fire in the
narIor chamber! | s'pose Charlotte's too
GOOD TO pull off her things in the bed
room as | do. WAL, it's the luck OF
some to be born with q silver spoon III
their mouth.
Grandma. who was the only person
present except myself, made no answer.
and after moment Aunt Betsey contin-
red. 'Now think ont. Miss Lee"-she
never addressed her as mother, Tor,
from the first a mutual dislike had eX-
isted between them-''now l think ont.
Miss Lee, mebby Fanny meant to slight
me-"
.Fonnv never sighted anybody" was
rrandma's reply. while her polished knit
ing needles ratified with a vengeance
.'Waal. / guess she thought JOS wife
snd | wouldn't hitch HOSES exactly, but
The land knows that J don't care the
man of my finger for her. I'm as good
IS ANYBODY, if | don't keep hired maid
md have a carpet on every floor
Uere she was interrupted by the sound
If horses feet. ane rising up, grandma
aid. Il guess they've come. WIN you
70 and meet them"
.Not |: I'm the last one TO creep. l
n, tell YOU" was Aunt Betsey's reply
while grandma and l quilted the room,
eaving her sitting bolt upright, with
Ter feet on the fender and her lips purs-
"a mn. as they always were when she
vas indignant.
TTpcle Joseph. Aunt Charlotte. Herbert
T.angney, he'd already come; and as the
after leaped upon the ground and l
taught sight of his tall, slender figure.
involuntarily exclaimed. "Long-legs.
cocnomen which he ever after retained
n our family. Il shall like him." was
mr. mental comment as l turned from
1im toward the bundle of clothes which
Uncle Joseph lifted from the sleigh and
deposited upon the steps. and which we
supposed TO be our dreaded aunt's.
'sThis is perfectly horrible was the
srst words which issued from under the
folds of her veil: but to what she refer
red | never knew.
We all knew and loved UnclG Joseph.
and for his sake my mother conquered
whatever prejudice she felt toward his
wife. who returned her cordial welcome
with the extreme end of her forehnSer,
saving. when asked to sit down. I'll 20
TO my room immediately, if you please.
"Speak TO the children first" suggest
ed my uncle: and with 4 muttered, 1T
doesn't matter" the naughty lady bowed
coldly to US. as one by one we were pre-
Sented
When il came my turn. her small blacs
ewes rested longer upon me, and the
faintest derisive smile imaginable curled
the corners Of her mouth. l knew that
either my cap or my face had provoked
that smile. and with tears in my eyes
was turning away. when Herbert Lang
ley caught me in his long arms, exciSim
inr. aud so this is Rosa. the poeteSs
1sn,nnn IN call Won liffle .Cron-Aead'-