Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-01-27
ORIGINAL SOCIAL CORNER STORY
HOW JOSEPHINE WENT COASTING
By Barbara Dodge

In moment a maid came out and
called to me that Miss Bigelow wanted
us to come in, too. By this time
was only curious to know what she
wanted. The woman's face treasured
me that she was not angry. / follow
ed her into the house, through a long
hall, and into big sitting room with
long windows. It was an interesting
room, with high bookcases and queer
old pictures and round tables that
shone like mirrors. On the floor was
the queerest carpet covered with
mammoth punches of bright flowers
There was a fire on the hearth, and
there before 1t sat 10, toasting her
toes as comfortably as if she was in
the habit of coming every day. Miss
Bigelow was so smiling and pleasant
that l began to feel that we had been
very much mistaken in our estimate Of
her.
You have been giving me great
deal of amusement my dears,' she
said. Il was wondering if we couldn't
break the ice and get acquainted,
when it broke itself, so to speak. I am
glad to have a chance to meet you
girls. I have watched you a good
many times. I cannot go out much,
i and my neighbors are all strangers. 1
have been wondering if the old town
has changed, for nobody seems to be
neighborly any more"
We are glad to get acquainted with
you" 10 answered. For we used to
have such fun playing in your gar
! dem"
| So we went on to tell her about how
| we used to play there, and the tea par
| ties we had under the lilacs. She
| seemed so interested that We forgot
all about being afraid Of her, and be-
| fore We had talked very long little
] Margaret was cuddled in her lap.
| And you are Edward Dodge's
! youngest child,'' she said to me. lit
tie Ted Dodge. Well, well, I remem-
/ Der him when he was little fellow in
dresses. He used to be here a good
| deal, years ago. Wasn't he a mis-
| chief! And now you say he has three
| grown up children. l remember see
| ing your mother at church, when she
came here as bride. l was home that
summer. She looked lovely in a blue
silk that matched her eyes. I saw a
! girl not long ago with those same
eyes. 1 wonder if it was your sister.
| But she isn't as beautiful as your
mother was. She looked just like a
| flower
She does now" I said. Everyone
says she doesn't look old enough
to be our mother"
'cTt wasn't so many years ago." Miss
| Bigelow went on. Let me see, it's
only twenty-sfx or seven"
10 and 1 looked at each other. That
seemed ages to US. We didn't know
| what to say. Then I thought of the
quaint old things I had heard Miss
Bigelow had, and I asked her if she
would be willing to show Us some OF
them.
j Why, yes, the next time you come
over 1 will have q fire upstairs she
said. "In the garnet are some chests
and trunks of old clothes, and If yoU
are anything like my sisters and
when we were girls you may enjoy
dressing up N them
Just then Sarah, one of the servants
came in with tea tray and plate Oh
delicious pound cake, with cookies fol-
Margaret We had the most delightful
visit together, and we almost forgo1
how time flew. At last it grew Sc
dark that we began to realize that VIZ
must go. Miss Bigelow urged US t.
come again
i Il get so lonely here" she said. %
like to have young people around.
| want to get acquainted with my neigh.
bors, and 1t seems easier to start will
you boys and girls. l have watched
you going by and wished we could
make friends, but I don't know that
should have had the courage to make
any advances if Josephine hadn't come
so near sliding into my parlor"
Indeed, we will come again." W.
promised. we have had a delightful
time, Miss Bigelow."
You cannot think how much goot
it has done me-" she answered. per
haps you can help me to find a pleas
: ant share in the life here. We used I,
have such good times in the old hous
, when we were young, and 1t seems yer,
empty and lonely now
! We said goodbye and hurried home
: AS l went on down with Margaret [
. was nearly supper time when I got in
Where have you been?" mother ask
ed, meeting me in the hall.
'Where2 You can't guess. TIL
|; most unlikely place in the world.
: have been calling on Miss Bigelow."
| Mother looked at me. IT hope vol
didn't intrude, Barbara" she said
; What took You there?"
/, 10 as usual" I replied. Then
! told her how 1t happened. I'm soin
! again if you don't object She is aw
FULLY nice, mother, not a bit naughty
l think we have all made a mistake Il
being afraid Of her She is lonely
And I truly think it did her good. He
cheeks were quite pink when we left
: and she seemed ever so much younger.
l Perhaps it would be a good thinf
have wondered sometimes If we wer
2 not little stiff with her. don't wan
her to think people are not glad t
: welcome her back"
Mother called on Miss Bigelow a. fe,
; days after that, and she urged tn
! Fosters and Mrs. Somers and other
I to go. too. Once people got over bein
afraid Of Miss Bigelow, they found he
2 charming. and We have very pleasan
! times at the patchwork house" for a
our younger set Just love to gathe
: there. We have had more than on
i jolly impromptu masquerade in the oil
= rooms, and Miss Bigelow seems a
3 young as any of us, while her cheek
! are always pink now.