The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-08-14
Mothoring the
Seagraves.

t,c.: y y ~: ~
To mother a family of five seemed a
large undertaking for an understood
person OF twenty-five; but when Mrs.
Seagrave 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. It was
impossible to imagine that irrespon.
sibile damsel mothering anything.
Even her dolls had always depended
bn their own youthful aunts for cloth
Ing.
ITS a great responsibility, warn
cd the married cousin with whom
Gertrude lived, "and I'm not at all
sure that you're big enough for it.
you're such little mite"
I'm twenty-five" said Gertrude,
and | weigh ninety-six pounds, which
Is lot for me. I've been graduated
from high school and a normal, I've
been a substitute teacher in the train
tng-school ever so many times, and
I'm going to make such fine subs.i.
tute mother that nobody will ever
dream that I'm not a real one. Poor
Louisel Nobody could help being good
to her children"
The young Seagraves welcomed
their diminutive aunt effusively. Ma
tiida Beanstcn had been temporarily
managing the household for the past
fortnight. When Matilda managed any
thing she did it thoroughly
'Goodness!" cried Claudine. What
joke to have an aunt of your size
and age! Are you sure you're a real
aunt and not just-make-believe one?
Your letters always sounded a lot
more grown-up. How are you ever CO.
ing to manage us? Even little Bettina
is almost as big as you are"
Corporal punishment has gone out
OF fashion" said Gertrude, with
twinkle in her nice brown eyes. 81
think We'll get along all right. Is
this Bailey? My! What a 1ice, big
tfteen-year-old!"
Matilda Beanston washed his ears
this morning" confded Claudine,
Mickedly. Il guess she's had every.
thing in the house scrubbed with lye.
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
tllda. 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 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
amiable side under Gertrudes 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, 81 suppose
I'd have to take her place IN self-de-
fence-no more Matilda Beanstons in
this hsrse! / wish l were just like
Gertrude"
Gertrude" said Bailey, looking up
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 like boy"
That's it," breathed Claudi1e into