The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-11-23
AUNT CATHERNOOD'S BOX


80 ODAAA " AAlO u
CatherwoOd's room. Aunt Catherwood
was in the closet. Near the door was
a heap of cast-off garments
"Oh, they're old clothes I'm sending
to your Uncle Catherwood's sister who
lives out West was the mufHed reply.
She's very poor, so / always send her
a box once a year about Thanksgiving
Vivian looked again at the pile of gar
ments. She was a tall, golden-haired
girl of fifteen, with a sweet. charming
face, though a little pale and hin just
now. Aunt C~atherwOod was her faith
ers sister, and Vivian had come TO visit
her for /; few weeks. She had had a
dangerous illness in the summer. and
the old family physician having ordered
for her a change Of climate and a change
of scene, she had left home. friends and
schoOlmates, and a lonely time she had
of it.
Vivian did not care much for Aunt
Catherwood. She was so 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 it. 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
it was inexpressibly gloomy.
"Are there any children?" asked Wv
ian interestedly, still gazing at the
clothes.
"Yes, two. 1 believe there's a girl
about your age. Gladys is her name.
She writes to your Uncle Catherwood
occasionally: always after 1 send a box.
/ must say, however, that her letters
are not over and above grateful. And
to think of the trouble i go to, too. They
expect everything and never nave any
thing to give themselves"
Vivian looked at the varied assort-
ment again. A frayed dress skirt, some
what so;led, lay az the bottom Of the
heap There were some old stockings
and shoes, a black wooden dress that was
moth-eaten, a worn jacket, and two or
three old bonnets. There wasn't really
a good article among them, and Vivian
waxed indignant as she took stock of
them.
''There. / believe that's ALL" announc-
ed Aunt C~atherwood, emerging from the
closet with a wrinkled and faded dress
ing sacque in her hands. What a nui-
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 a 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. Il told James to bring it up
this morning. Tonight III send it of. -
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 at
the window until the carriage was out
of sight, then she turned away. Now
is my chance" she whispered merrily.
My, I'm SC glad she had to go away"
Her face lighted up and she nodded
in a pleased fashion to herself. The big
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 a while. When
she came out her arms were laden. She
sat down by the box, depositing her bur-
den carefully on the floor. The first
thing she took up was a gray dress made
in the prevailing fashion. A beautiful
dress it was, soft and rich and fine, with
q pink velvet collar and cuffs.
sTm glad 1 can send this" she muir
INJURED. Il don't really need it and moth
er won't care when / tell her. She al
ways said it was so becoming, and /
hope it will be to Gladys. Then here's
these shoes. l can spare them, and this
ribbon. I've heaps of ribbons. Girls
have to have plenty. I'm going to put
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 te % to a
party. Girls do go to parties if they
are; poor. and then it'll come in good.
Oh. yes. 1 must not forget a pair of
gloves and. some boot lacings. Now ]
must ut-these carefully at TIL very bot
ton where Aunt C~atherwood won't see
them. Oh. I do hope Gladys will be
pleased"
With a bright face and nimble fingers,
she finished her labor. Of love, then crept
happily away
Aunt Ca~therwood viewed the box as
she came home from the last tea. Vivian
had followed her upstairs
the box makes quite. a shoYing,
doesn't 1t, ,Fiyian?' she asked. p did
not think it was near 50 full. l guess,
after alt / won't put in the Bingham,
I've given them enough. l hope they'll
be properly grateful after all M trou'
be. they ought TO be-.
s&When is the party. Gladysr
The 9th, and oh, mother, / do want
20 20 So. Beth is my best friend. ]
can't tell her why I must stay away
and yet III have to. Isn't there some
wav that you could manage, moth rY
Mother shook her head "A new iSess
q impossible now. DEAR she answered
s7Sfer. 1 might get one perhaps but with
WHITES coming on, Hets,ss fiany7thins'