Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-11-24
IyH1 CATHERWOOD'S BOX


''WEas are all those things, Auntie"
asked Vivian, coming suddenly into Aunt
OathegBood's room. Aunt Catherwood
was in the closet. Near the door was
q heap of east-off garments.
"Dh, they're old clothes I'm sending
70 your Uncle Catherwood's sister who
lives oa4 West" was the muffled reply.
''She's very poor, so l always send her
. box once year about Thanksgiving"
yiyiaa looked again at the pile of gar
msnts. She was a tall, golden-haired
girl OF fifteen, with a sweet, charming
face, though a little pale and thin just
now. Aunt Catherwood was her faith
ef's sister, and Vivian had come to visit
her for q few weeks. She had had
dangerous Illness in the summer, and
the old family physician having ordered
for her n change of climate and change
of scene, she had left home, friends and
schoolmates, and lonely time she had
Of it.
Vivian did not care much for Aunt
CathsTwood. She was so different from
what she thought her dear fathers sister
ought 10 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.
''Ars there any children?" asked Wv
San interestedly, still gazing at the
clothes.
"Yes, two. l believe there's girl
about your age. Gladys is her name.
She writes to your Uncle Catherwood
occasionally; always after l send box.
I 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 10 give themselves"
ViviHa l9ohcu DIT the varied assert
msnt again. A frayed dress skirt, some
what s0Iled, lay at the bottom of the
heap. There were some old stockings
and shoes, black wooden dress that was
mOth-eaten, 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.
''Thess, believe that's ALL" announc-
ed Aunt Catherwood, emerging from the
closet with a wrinkled and faded dress
ing sacgUe in her hands. what 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 hRT father, too, was a rich man,
and she had everything she wanted, but
she coaIa form something of an opinion.
1t mast be unpleasant to be obliged to
wear clothes like those before her, and
there wasn't thing there that was suit
able, or could be made to do for Gladys.
"WeI pack them in that box stand
ing ia tie hail." said Aunt Catherwood
Sriskly. Il told James to bring it up
this mozning. Tonight III send it off,"
Two beurs later Aunt Catherwood de-
parted m 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 merriIv.
MY, I'm so glad she had to go away"
Her face lighted up and she nodded
ia a pleased fashion to herself The big
house was as lonely as ever, but some
how STvian did not mind it. The box
kept her company. She smiled happily
rs she vanished into her room.
She was gone quite while When
she came cut 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.
''I'm glad l can send this" she MUIR
INJURED Il don't really need it and moth
CT won't care when l tell her. She all
ways said it was so becoming, and |
hope It viii be to Gladys. Then here's
these shoes. l can spare them, and this |
rihboa- I've heaps of ribbons. Girls |
have TO have plenty. I'm going to put |
I'm a white petticoat, too, and these hand |
kerchieks, and perhaps she won't care
for ii, but I'm going to send this fan.
Maybs some time she'll want to go to
party. Girls do go to parties if they
are poor, and then it'll come in good |
Oh, yes, l must not forget a pair of |
gloves and some boot lacings. Now l |
must put these carefully at the very bot |
tom where Aunt Catherwood won't see |
them. Oh. do hope Gladys will be |
pleased"
With bright face and nimbIe fingers, !
she finished her labor of love, then crept |
happily away.
Aunt Catherwood viewed the box as |
she came home from the last tea. Vivian |
had followed her upstairs