Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-08-07
MOth0ring the
SeagraVeS.

To mother family OF five seemed a
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
Tor her size IL Claudine were like hex
We shouldn't need anybody. But Clau-
dine"
The family knew Clauo me. II was
impossible to imagine that irrespon-
sibue damsel mothering anything.
Even her dolls had always depended
on their own youthful aunts for cloth
ing.
TITS a great responsibility" warn
ed the married cousin with whom
Gertrude lived, land I'm not at all
sure that you're big enough for it.
you're such a little mite"
I'm twenty-five" said Gertrude,
and weigh ninety-six pounds, which
Is lot for me. I've been graduated
from a 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 substi-
tute mother that nobody will ever
dream that I'm not real one. Poor
Louise! Nobody could help being good
to her children"
The young Seagraves welcomed
their diminutive aunt effusively. Ma
tiIda Beanston had been temporarily
managing the household for the past
fortnight. When Matilda managed any
thing she did it thoroughly.
'fGoodness!" cried Claudine What
I Joke to have an aunt of your size
and age! Are you sure you're a real
aunt and not justmake- believe one?
Your letters always sounded lot
more grown-up. How are you ever go
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. 81
think we'll get along all right. Is
this Bailey? My! What a nice, big
Gfteen-year-old!"
Matilda Beanston washed his ears
this morning" confided Claudine,
wickedly. ST guess she's had every
thing in the house scrubbed with I've.
IT'S hideous to be so 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 a 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
tilda, perhaps it was some quality in
Gertrude, that put the small aunt in
Immediate touch with her brothers
household. Whatever it was, things
went amazingly we'll 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 red
headed temper, showed only her most
amiable side under Gertrude's gentle
yet dignified rule.
Claudine, sewing UP rip in her
golf glove one evening, eyed her aunt
attentively.
''If she should ever happen to get
married" infused Claudine, Il suppose
I'd have to take her place il self-de
fence-no more Matilda Beanstons in
this hcrsel / wish I were just like
Gertrude"
Gertrude" said Bailey, looking VI
suddenly from the corl1s, needles and
bottles with which he was experiment
fng. with his young aunts interested
assistance, IF l couldn't see you, I'd
believe you were another fffteen-year
old boy. You're just like boy
That's it," breathed Claudt1e into