Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-03-04
ALICIA's TURNING.
1t Was Very Mild, but Probably
Accomplished Its Purpose.

1t Was Very Mild, but Probably
Accomplished Its Purpose.
The village. with one accord, ex-
claimed, Poor child!' when gentle,
charming, orphaned Alicia Trent came
to live with her great-aunt Judith.
1t was not that Miss Judith did not
love poor Alicia but what was once
perhaps-a normal sense of order had
become a consuming passion for do
nestle immaculateness, which long ago
had driven all hired helpers from the
old lady's house.
IF that girl would only turn y
was a wish frequently expressed by in
dignant sympathiZers with the amiable
niece, when the latest development of
| Miss Judiths terrible SYSTEM for
eliminating dirt was under discussion
at village gatherings.
But Alicia's sweet patience never
failed. She even once rebuked gently
some well-meaning meddlers.
Its Aunt Judith's house, you see,
and I should do her way. OF course,
if had a home Of my own"
And the whole village-Miss Judith
alone eXcepted-rejoiced wien, in due
time, Alicia, w0oed and won by an ex-
| cellent man, well-tO-dO merchant in
the next town, departed to that "hOme
of her own"
"Alicia," said her husband after
| they were established in their coy
| home you command this louise, of
course, but just let me remark that it
would give me real pleasure occasion
ally to stumble upon a speck of
| dust"
Alicia laughed merrily-some one
evidently had enlightened John about
her years~of bondage But while her
good man may occasionally have en-
| joyed tie anticipated pleasure, yet
Alicia, now released from her aunt's
grim order, did not, as some had
prophesied, go to the other extreme and
Just let things go-anyhOw." Her
| house was q model of dainty Orderli-
ness not the militant sort, an end in
| itself, but 4 comfortable and delightful
means TO domestic grace. Her little
maid, Maggie, singing gaily at her
work, was loyal helper to her young
mistress.
When Miss Judith. paying her first
visit, boosted to Alicia's husband of
Alicias training under her system,
that gentleman listened good-humOrcd-
ly enough; but good humor threatened
to vanish VIXEN Miss Judith, after
critical comment on the weekly clean
ing, offered to take charge herself this
week-to give Maggie the benefit of
the system at first hand.
'My dear'-John drew Alicia aside
Zone humors old ladies, of course,
but this is your home and"
Il know, John, but it would please
her so, and she's going back so soon ~
So again Miss Judith commanded,
while Alicia and Maggie-Maggie with
not rebellion in her Irish heart-waged
exhaustive and eXhausting warfare
damp busting, dry-dusting, oiling and
rubbing ad infnitum!
At supper Alicia was pale: John was
determined; Maggie waited on the
table with flashing eyes; Miss Judith,
the only one satisfied, descanted on her
superior system.
| Perhaps it was to forestall John in
his impending Outburst, or TO prevent
Maggie from upsetting something lot.
At any rate. ut last Alicia turned"
There's one point, Aunt Judith" she
said, thoughtfullv. ''where our system
is superior to yours
Miss Judith became quite speechless !;
John stopped short in lis carving.
Alicia went calmly on in her sweet lit
tie way.
"If you noticed last week. all the
time we were cleaning our way, Maggie
sang !'-Youth's Companion.