The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-01-09
AUNT POLLYS DESCENT
She Was 0id-Fashioned, But
Knew Cupid's Way.
BY lola FORESTER.

Six for Geraldine" said Betty, sit
ting down on the stairs. "All valen-
tines. This one feels soft and satiny.
That must be from Mr.. Raleigh.
Wish were engaged, too, so some
body would send me one like that.
III never be If l stay here all my
life, playing maid to Geraldine, and
right-hand girl to Aunt Margaret. /
wish, if 1 ever did have one all my
very own, it would say on it, To Betty
from Jack"
The last was in a whisper Be
hind her came Aunt Margaret down
stairs, eyeglasses at the proper an
gle, serene and well poised as al
ways.
Don't neglect the corners, Betty"
she said. pleasantly. Has the mail
arrived? Oh, yes. For Gertrude!
How popular and loved the child is"
Certainly" said Betty, vigorously
attacking the broom once more.
Don't be ungenerous, even in
thought Betty You had better oil
the staircase too, today"
Betty stood still for a moment. look
Ing after her aunt, but Mrs. Potter
crossed the hall, and went into the
dining room to her late breakfast,
Jack was just finishing his. With
the morning paper propped before
him, he wished his mother a perfume
tory greeting, and went on reading.
Mrs. Potter opened her mail. One let
ter attracted her attention. II was q
curious letter. The envelope was
long and narrow and OF thin, pale
blue paper, with a sort OF checkered
effect. She opened it, and glanced
over the first page, and Jack looked
up from his paper at the quick cry
OF alarmed surprise.
Who's dead, mumsie?"
Don't be fippant. Jack. The shock
Is quite bad enough. | have letter
from your fathers sister Polly. A
most impossible sort OF an old per-
son. Jack. l have not seen her in
over fifteen years, not since your
father made his fortune out OF Pot
ter's Pure Pellets. She lived on a
farm somewhere up in Connecticut
Your father was born there, but he
got away from the environment as
soon as he could fairly toddle"
What's the old lady writing to you
for?"
Heaven only knows. And she calls
me dear sister Maggie. Jack, no
body ever called me Maggie, except
ing her"
Jack laughed, and took the letter
The writing was a bit quavering and
uncertain, but he made ii out. II was
a simple. heartful letter, full of sin
certify, and reaching out after ones
own people.
Dear Sister Maggie" 1t read. II have
been thinking OF you and the children
FOR some time, and l do want to see
you before the Lord calls me home. So.
seeing as you weren't given to visiting.
thought I'd take time by the fore
lock. and come TO see you. know you
will be surprised. but life ia short. and
some Of my own flesh and blood as
grow older.
Hoping this finds you all in good
health, as 1 am at present and trusting
-
Your sister.
Polly Ann Potter"
The letter has been delayed, moth
er," said Jack 1T went to the old
address first. What a bully place she
lives in, Woodchuck Hill"
She must be sixty-five, and poor
as only those human relics dragging
out life in WORKOUT farm houses can
be, Jack. l might telegraph her that
we we're starting TO Florida or Ber-
muda''
oh, nonsense, mumsie Make the
old lady comfy. She's only lonesome
A month here in New York, trotting
around with you and Gerry would
buck her up fine and dandy"
Geraldine came In dressed for her
morning walk through the park. She
was a tall, pretty girl. rather pallid.
but sweet faced, and we'll bred.
Who's Betty helping out of the
cab, mother?" she asked. 1T looks
IKE Noah's great-grandmother."
Jack, l am going to faint" e1-
claimed Mrs. Potter.
Buck up, mumsie, and be decent"
warned Jack. as he opened the door,
and faced Betty, loaded with two
large covered baskets. and an ancient
black leather travelling bag. Betty's
face was radiant.
Here's Aunt Polly" she an.
nounced
Behind her stood the oldest figure
As Geraldine said afterwards. she did
not think there were any people like
Aunt Polly left in the world. Tall
and spare, head well up, with a wide
genial smile that took in all creation
in its approval, she had happy gray
eyes and crinky gray hair parted in
the middle and drawn down over her
ears.
We'll, how are you, folks?" she
exclaimed. her voice trembling with
tears. Bless my heart and soul. IT'S
SO good to see you all. How your
chicks have grown, sister. Been
a'feedin' them the pellets regular?"
Betty, take your aunts parcels IN
to the gray chamber. How do you
do, Polly. You are very welcome"
Mrs. Potter closed her eyes as a mar
tyr should, and pressed a bird peck
on the wrinkled cheek nearest her.
Betty, child, you let them satchels
and things of mine alone" ordered
Aunt Polly, vigorously. Il never let
PoIha uoff an ma We'll M,o.t. -