Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-08-07
Motheriing the
Seagraves.

+ s
" a..xsa,,ss,sY
TO mother family OF Ave seemed
large undertaking for an understood
person of twenty-five; but when Mrs.
Seagraye died suddenly there was no
one who could conveniently step into
the sadly vacant place except Cert
rude, John Seagrave's very much
younger sister.
"But Gertie," said John, has always
been old for her years and grown.up
for her size. If Claudine were like her
we shouldn't need anybody. But Clau-
dine
The family knew Claudine. 1t was
impossible to imagine that irrespon-
sibile damsel mothering anything.
Even her dolls had always depended
on their own youthful aunts for cloth
ing.
ITS great responsibility" warn
ed the married cousin with whom
Gertrude lived, and Pm not at all
sure that you're big enough for it.
you're such a little mite"
I'm Twenty-Five said Gertrude,
land weigh ninety-six pounds, which
is a lot for me. I've been graduated
from high school and a normal, I've
been a substitute teacher in the train
ing-school ever so many times, and
I'm going to make such a fine subsd-
tute mother that nobody will ever
dream that I'm not a real one. Poor
Louise! Nobody could help being good
to her children"
The young Seagraves welcomed
their diminutive aunt effusively.: Ma
tfda Beanston had been Temporarily
managing the household for the past
fortnight. When Matilda managed any
thing she did it thoroughly.
'Goodness!" cried Claudine. What
a joke to have an aunt of your size
and age! Are you sure you're real
aunt and not just+make-believe one?
Your letters always sounded lot
more grown-up. How are you ever 60
ing to manage us? Even little Bettina
is almost as big as you are"
Corporal punishment has gone out
OF fashion," said Gertrude, with a
twinkle in her nice brown eyes. II
think we'll get along all right. Is
this Bailey? My! What a aice, big
tifteen-year-old!"
Matilda Beanston washed his ears
this morning" confided Claudine,
wickedly. 81 guess she's had every
thing in the house scrubbed with I've.
It's hideous to belso clean and tidy
and proper. Nora would have left forty
times this week If we hadn't taken
turns staying in the kitchen, begging
her not to-"
Matilda ought to be general man
ager of railroad!' growled Bailey,
whose ears still glowed feverishly.
There's too much OF her for any one
family"
Perhaps it was the change from Ma
tildn, perhaps lit was come quality in
Gertrude, that put the small aunt in
immediate touch with her brothers.
household. Whatever 1t was, things
went amazingly well from the very
first. The children, from lively Clau.
dine down to shy Bettina, would do
anything for her. Even Nora, who
possessed what Bailey called a red
headed temper showed only her most
amdable side under Gertrude's gentle
yet dignifled rule
Claudine, sewing up rip in her
golf glove one evening, eyed her aunt
ettentively.
III she should ever happen to get
married" unused Claudine, II suppose
I'd have to take her place IN seN-de.
fence-no more Matilda Beanstons in
this h:pse! wish / were Just like
Gertrude"
Gertrude" said Bailey, lookingsfiip
suddenly from the corks, needles and
bottles with which he was experiment.
ing, with his young aunt's interested
assistance, "if couldn't see you, I'd
believe you were another fifteen-year.
old boy. You're just nike boy"
That's it," breathed Claudine into
her glove. That's the secret! Cert.
rude talks like a man with father,
she's just girl with me, and when
she's with Bettina she's Just dear
little tot Of five! And which ever one
of US she is, she's a complete dear
But If things went smoothly fol-
the rest of the seagraves, 1t is moi
certain that there were no rough
n1aOoa for Gar-tr,ido Che eaayond ~