Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-12-22
Fl Christmas Caprice
BY Mrs. w. Howard Brown

the value of my chef. He showers me
with these food memoranda as II they
were poeucal gems"
IT'S kind of poetical justice, my
dear" croaked an ancient voice at her
elbow.
A tall old woman, with curled black
hair. heavy black gown, and the gilt
ter of many rngs on her bent fingers
came through a portiere, with quick
step, and paused before the speaker
with smile that grew from geniality
to grimness. There was n certain
grabbed cheerfulness IN this lady's
countenance and manner that made
her interesting to people fond of char
actcr study. But her niece, though
slightly startled by her entrance, lost
nothing of her cool Indifference. Miss
Van Spuytentuyfel was evidently not
II plcusad to observe her niece's in
voluntary chagrn at being caught at
the cigarette smoking. Not that Amy
Price would condescend to conceal any
foolish habit she might choose to
adopt, but great Aunt Van Spuyten-
tuyfel was aware that the young wo
man would prefer to have her learn of
1t from hearsay, form of information
to which the discerning dame gave lit
tie heed In her own keen eyes and
ears she placed her sole reliance for
the study of her race. They were eyes
and ears vorsed in every variety OF
worldly knowledge
"Pootical justice demands that you
help to bear the burden If you share
the reward,
Miss Van Spuytentuyfel packed to-
gethcr pile of letters as II
she were n new specimen of
mail box why shouldn't the mistress
bear a part IN the servants cares and
qualms, dangers and acknowledgements,
as she reaps the benefits Of all his
triumphs In the nattery of her gorging
guests.
"Gorglng guests. Auntie! Your
phrase smacks, So to speak, of me-
diaoval bauquets, Forest Lover sort
of thing, BY the way, If you want
any Forest Lovers, help yourself, !
have received seven today"
4 suppose they are a drug in the
market To your"
mo, hardly. Lovers have never
appealed to me; not even when 1t was
proper that they should. We're not
exactly n deeply loving family. such
family as would tear passion to tat.
tcrs are We Auntie dear?"
Miss Supplemented gave grim
chuclde, as upon this soft, slow speech
her niece arose and seemed TO float In
her long lavender poignoir, to lean
moment over the hearth FIRE. She
deliCatcly clicked down into II her half
smoked u garctte, and offered to her
Aunt by n gesture. though without the
least attempt to place II for her. an
easy chair that stood between them.
Il have not heard that any of our
race ever went mad for love, or for
that matter over missed meal on nc
count Of It."
Declining to be seated the old lady
was turning over the trinkets and
examining tho cards affixed to them.
mo" she reiterated, examining an
exquisite photograph of a divine
mother and child, we have none Of
us been wiling to die nor to live for a
relations sake, nor can any of our
names be written down ms among those
who very ardently love their fellow
men. There seems to be some spiritu.
al impeachment that prevents our being
heroes or heranes In the strife"
Il wonder what is the chief cause OF
this spiritual impeachment" drawled
Amy, smiling at her reflection in an OF
posite mirror.
Il should say" replied Miss Van
Supplemented, slowly measuring ont
her words, Il should say that the chief