Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-12-27
BY Margaret Muzzey

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The most popular novel and big
gest seller of the year was Aunt
Mary Moffat," written by an unknown
author, whose name and fame had sud-
denly gone abroad throughout the land.
Young DR.. Brandon. just returned
from Europe, FASTENED to congratulate
his successful friend, and to his amaze
ment he found the writer in the depths
Of despair.
John Hastings. what Is the matterf
Are you not satisfied with being the
most admired and discussed man OF
the hour7 You ought to he ecstatic,
elated, delirious with Joy, and you look
as II you had swallowed bad oyster"
"Why should | rejoice in success
when the only reason 1 tried for it Is
gomez" John groaned.
what do you mean?
"I was engaged TO Ethel Ransom.
you remember. and only waiting for
money to support her.
Some people consider that On insig-
ni6cant detail"
Unfortunately Ethers father did
not, but now my fortune Is assured
she refuses to marry me altogether"
May l ask whyT'
"She declares that have drawn the
character OF Aunt Mary Moffat from
her grandmother and held her up to
ridicule before everybody
"She Is crazyT Brandon exclaimed.
There are plenty Of Others" point
ing to pile Of letters. "All those are
from people who recognize themselves
or one of their relatives among the
characters Of my book. Listen to this:
'Dear Mr.. Hastings-I was so pleased
20 find you made me the heroine OF your
book. I told the editor Of our village pa.
per. and he put piece in the Huckleberry
Junction Post about II. Please send mo
your autograph
There are more heroines, number
OF heroes. and you remember the man
called the 'patriarchal parson'-the
woods are full Of grandfathers exactly
like him, It appears. AS for the Aunt
Narys, their name is legion-therel are
at least three In every village in the
states"
Brandon helped himself from the pile
and read aloud:
Dear MISUNDERSTANDING, as cannot
fall to do so. the depletion of my late lam
entable aunt In the title character OF
your book. suggest that It would be q
thankful act for you to put a monument
on her grave Her folks can't afford 1t.
1t would be a good ad. for the book too"
Brandon laughed heartily.
What fun 1t would be to get these
people together! Suppose we go to my
house at Knowlbridge and give party
for them. Perhaps If Ethel sees the
numerous other claimants she will give
up her idea about grandma"
John demurred, but was finally per-
suaded by Brandon. who assumed the
entire responsibility, and sent the fol
lowing letter to each Of the originals:
Mr.. John Hastings requests the honor
OF your presence October the sixteenth at
seven o'clock to meet the ladies and gen.
temen from whom characters IN his
Aunt Mary Moffat" were drawn.
II have seen your capricious charm
OK and prevailed upon her to come to
our party" said Brandon, few days
later. "She hesitated. but she will be
there-the unmistakable glitter of Gu
riosity was In her azure orbs."
First among the authors guests to
arrive on the auspicious 10th was
an alleged 'patrlarchal paSon," per
sonally conducted by a nephew named
Samuel Bangs. The heroine was repre-
sented by married woman (whose
husband came alsol. young widow
and sentimental maiden. Two clerks
a bank cashier and commercial tray-
eler appeared for the hero, and four
Aunt Marys In various stages Of Sc
nility came attended by enterprising
relatives.
81 wish We had never invited them,"
said John nervously I'VE will have a
row as sure as sparks fly upward"
Leave 1t to your uncle" said Bran
don. II wouldn't miss 1t for golden
eorkscrew."
Suppose they find one another out
before supper"
''They can't break loose and wax con-
edential between now and 7 o'clock"
Brandon announced the guests as
they entered the drawing room. Sam
Bangs came last, his face radiant with
smiles and soap; placing one hand on
bis spine, the other on his heart, he
made a real dancing school bow and
aaid:
This is the proudest moment OF my
iife."
John thanked him and Brandon said
be waA lucky TO keep his heart where
he could lay his hand on it SO readily.
Ethel arrived and insisted on going
with the housekeeper to the buffers
pantry, where she stayed, looking
through the door.
Brandon, opposite John at table,
forced the conversation TO be general,
steering II of the book, until the des
sert appeared. then John rose.
ladies and gentlemen" he said. Il
have been fortunate enough TO bring
together a number Of people represent
ed In my book. We have the hero,
Thomas Presley; the heroine. Jennie
jenkins; the patriarchal parson. and
Aunt Mary Moffat herself. VIII those
have named rise while | drink their
good health"
Here is TO Aunt Mary Moffat and all
her friends. relatives and acquaint-
ances?' said John, and glasses were
drained amid great applause.
Then. in order TO identify each char
actsr. he suggested that all should be
seated except the hero and heroine,
and four Thomas Presleys and tbree
Jenny Jenkinses were left staring, first
IN perplexity. then in rage, at one an.
other.
There must be misunderstand-
ing" said John. surely there can be
but one hero or heroine Of single
book"