Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-11-29
AUNT CATHERWOOD'S BOX.

Catherwoods room. Aunt Catherwood
was In the closet. Near the door was
heap of cast-of garments.
"Oh, they're old clothes I'm sending
to your Uncle Catherwood's sister who
lives out West" was the muffled reply.
She's very poor, SO always send her
a box once year about Thanksgiving"
Vivian looked again at the pile of gar
ments. She was tall, golden-haired
girl of fifteen, with sweet charming
face, though little pale and thin just
now. Aunt Catherwood was her faith
er's sister, and Vivian had come to visit
he: for few weeks. She had had a
dangerous illness in the summer, and
the old family physician having ordered
Tor her change of climate and change
Of scene, she had left home, friends and
schoolmates, and n lonely time she had
Of 1t.
Vivian did not care much for Aunt
Catherwood. She was 30 different from
what she thought her dear fathers sister
ought to be, still, somehow, she felt sorry,
for her.
Aunt Catherwood was rich, but she
had no children. She loved to save
money and was very close about spend
Ing 1t. She gave little, If anything, to
charities, and was a stern and exacting
mistress to her servants. The big house
might be handsome enough, but to Vivian
1t was inexpressibly gloomy.
Are there any children?" asked Wv
ian interestedly, still gazing at the
clothes.
Yes, two. believe there's a girl
about your age. Gladys is her name.
She writes to your Uncle Catherwood
occasionally; always after send box.
must say, however, that her letters
are not over and above grateful. And
to think of the trouble go to, too. They
expect everything and never have any
thing to give themselves"
Vivian looked at the varied assert
ment again. A frayed dress skirt, some
what soiled, lay at the bottom of the
heap. There were some old stockings
and shoes, a black wooden dress that was
moth-eaten, worn jacket, and two or
three old bonnets. There wasn't really
good article among them, and Vivian
waxed indignant as she took stock of
them.
There, believe that's ALL" announc-
ed Aunt Catherwood, emerging from the
NAOoVL WIN u MilHhieu bnu luueu. Dress
ing sacque in her hands. What nut
sance poor relatives are. If they'd save
their money they wouldn't need any
help"
Vivian felt very sorry for these poor
relations of Uncle Catherwood's. Vivian
did not know anything about poverty,
for her father, too, was n rich man,
and she had everything she wanted, but
she could form something of an opinion.
1t must be unpleasant to be obliged to
wear clothes like those before her, and
there wasn't a thing there that was suit
able, or could be made to do for Gladys.
We'll pack them In that box stand
Ing in the hail." said Aunt Catherwood
briskly. II told James to bring it up
this morning. Tonight I'll send it off. y
Two hours later Aunt Catherwood de.
parted in her carriage for her round OF
engagements. She looked very stately
and imposing in her silk and laces, with
her white, jeweled hands and fashion.
ably dressed hair. Vivian watched nj
the window until the carriage was out
of sight, then she turned away. "Now
Is my chance" she whispered merrily,
My, I'm SO glad she had to go away
Her face lighted up and she nodded
In pleased fashion to herself. The bip
house was as lonely as ever but some.
how Vivian did not mind it. The box
kept her company. She smiled happily
as she vanished into her room.
She was gone quite while. Whe,
she came out her arms were laden. She
sat down by the box, depositing her bur
den carefully on the floor. The, frs
thing she took up was a gray dress mad,
in the prevailing fashion. A beautiful
dress it was, soft and rich and fine, witt
q pink velvet collar and cuffs
"I'm glad l can send this" she mur
INJURED. II don't really need it and moth
er won't care when tell her. She al
ways said 1t was so becoming, and
hope it will be to Gladys. Then here,
these shoes. l can spare them, and thi,
ribbon. I've heaps of ribbons. Girl.
have to hive plenty. Fin going to pu
In a white petticoat, too, and these hand
kerchiefs, and perhaps she won't care
for it, but I'm going to send this fan
Maybe some time she'll want to 20 to a
party. Girls do go to parties if they
are poor, and then it'll come in good
on, yes, ! must not forget pair Of
gloves and some boot lacings Now
tom where Aunt Cathcrwood won't SET
them. oh, do hope Gladys will BIZ
pleased"
With bright face and nimble fingers
she finished her labor of love, then crep
happily away.
Aunt Catherwood viewed the box a
she came home from the last tea. Vivian
had followed her upstairs.
The box makes quite showing
doesn't it, Nivian?" she asked. II di,
not think it was near SO full. guess
after all, won't put in the Bingham
I've given them enough. l hope they'll
be properly grateful; after all my trou
BILE, they ought to be-
when Is the party. Gladys?'
''rhe 9th, and oil, mother, do wan
to go so. Beth is my best friend.
can't tell her why ! must stay away
and yet I'll have to. Isn't there som
way that you could manage. mother?
Mother shook her head. "A new dres
Is impossible now, dear" she answered
'later, ] might get one perhaps, but wit
winter coming on, there's so many thing
we must have. Rent to pay. and Goa
and groceries We can't do without. Aun
Catherwood's box comes this month
Perhaps"
"Oh, mother, therein never nnythin
in that" cried Gladys, rebelllously
"Den't you remember last year whe
times were so hard and you were sick
all she sent was some WORKOUT flannels
an old opera cape and two or three stray
hats?"