The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-04-22
Continued from Page 81
THE METHODS OF AUNT
SUSANNA.

enough to be sure I won't let you in
jure yourself"
Mrs. Saxton was worried almost to
distraction to see Aunt Susanna fuss
after her nephew all that day and
encourage him to tell his troubles
She lsympathized with him in his
woes and pottered after him constant
| ly, making little dainty dishes for him
and coddling him until the poor wife
wondered how she could exist once the
old lady was gone.
Emma, said Aunt Susanna SOL
emily the second morning Of her stay,
as Mrs Saxton came into the kitchen,
II think things have come to the place
where you'll have to make some sac
rifices for your husband. Last night
heard a noise and what do you think
saw? Howard was coming down to
the pantry to get some cookies in
spite of everything, but caught him
just in time. Now do you think you
and the children could do without
cake and rich food until he gets bet
ter? 1t is a constant temptation to
him to smell these things"
"Why, yes If I thought it would do
any good" said the bewildered mis-
tress of the house.
cts either that or lock the pantry,
Emma. He'll get all right in time if
he doesn't eat unsuitable food"
So the cooky jar was allowed to
go empty, and the doughnuts no longer
tempted the master of the house.
Once his wife caught him guiltily rum
maging the pantry, but there was moth
ing visible but few crusts of bread,
so no harm was done. Anything that
could be cooked and eaten at once Mrs.
Hume approved of, so no one suffered
at the table from hunger, and she saw
to it that her patients tray was sup
piled with only small portions of food
IT think I'll go to town this after
noon," announced Mr.. Saxton one
beautiful day. ga ride in the fresh air
will do me good, and Ethel has some
letters she wants mailed. I'll get
Edward to put Nellie to the little
buggy and get back before it is cool
in the evening""
I'm glad you said that, Howard"
said Aunt Susanna promptly. I've
been wanting to do some errands this
long time. I'll be ready in few
minutes"
Mr.. Saxton groaned inwardly, but
there was nothing to be done but sub
nit to the guardianship of his aged
relative He had been fondly hoping
to slip into restaurant on back
street and get steak or something
his appetite craved, but If she went
with him no such proceeding would
be tolerated. In silence he sat beside
her all the way to town and in silence
he returned, though she asked all man
ner of questions in regard to his health
and the effect of the drive upon him.
For two weeks Mr.. Saxton endured
the continual attentions and the re-
stricted diet as best he could, but one
day when his wife was darning stock
ings in the sitting room and his aunt
was out in the garden getting sage
leaves for fresh tea, he asked abrupt.
ly, How much longer is Aunt Sus-
anna going to stay here?"
81 really don't know" said Mrs.
Saxton. "She said when she came
she would probably be with us six
weeks or so. I hope she will stay as
long as possible, for she takes care OF
you so nicely"
"You wouldn't think so if you had
her pottering after you," said Mr.. Sax
ton, bitterly. 81 can't say my life's
my own for her miserable rules and
the things she makes me eat. If she
don't go home pretty soon I'll die
Howard, think you are very un-
grateful. When I tried to cheer you
up and get you to take exercise, you
complained that wanted to see you
suffer. And now that your aunt is
looking after you night and day you
growl about her She is alarmed about
you and"
"She can save herself the worry
off the blankets and getting to his
feet Where are my shoes? I won't
be cooped up here minute longer
when there's nothing the matter with
me-"
That last sentence slipped out un-
awares, but it was too late to recall it,
so he hurried into his shoes and coat
to make his escape
I'm going to mend that hole in
the fence where the pigs get through u
The liquid diet and the long stay in
the house made him weaker than he
expected, but he resolutely stuck to his
task. Mrs. Hume tearfully begged him
to come in and lie down, but he said
in no uncertain terms that he had been
fused over long enough. eff you
really want to do something for me,
get me something decent to eat, for
I'm starved" he said grimly. "No
more dishwater for mel"
Mrs Hume declined to have any.
thing to do with the solid food her