The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-01-27
Just then the door onaned an

Just then the door opened and
Aunt Phoebe stepped out. Her eyes
were swapping at she looked first at
Mrs. Read and then at Mildred.
Who'd want you for a pet?" she
said, addressing the latter. "such
sassy, impudent girl as you are!"
CONSERVATION was writ large on
the faces of the three, and there was
look of humiliation, on two faces,
at least.
Then turning to Mrs. Read: $50
you think I haven't heard every word
sence I've been in this house. Why,
l can hear as we'll as anybody, and
better as most people, too" Mrs.
Read gasped and her face was truly
a study.
'I've heerd every mean thing
you've been sayin' agin me- went on
Aunt Phoebe, land all the peart,
sassy things them children of yours
said. Not that I'd expect anything
much of them, SEEM the bringin' up
| they've got. And I've seen, too, how
different this little gal is from the
other two she turned to Lucy "And
| want to say it's a downright shame
the way she's worked to death in
this house, and not treated half
right"
Il suppose she's been complaining
to you, like the sly creature that she
u.s." interrupted Mrs. Read, thorough
| ly angry at this TRADE.
| mo, she amt been complainin',"
continued Aunt Phoebe, she's told
me how good you folks wuz to give
her home. And l thought to my
self at the time that it sure wasn't
very homelike for the poor little
orphant gall
| We'll, take her yourself if you
think she hasn't good enough home
with u.s." angrily retorted Mrs. Read.
Then she turned to Lucy: You'd
better go with this old woman. She
thinks we're not fit company for
YOU
wal, she's welcome to come with
me-" said Aunt Phoebe "She won't
be worked from morning till night,
III promise you, and she can go to
other thing, too, I'll leave my fortin
to her when l die if she'll be willin'
to come with me. o, yes, you look
surprised to hear me speak Of fortin,
but you can't allus jedge by appear
ances, Hannah Read"
Poor Lucy stood fearful and trem-
bling during this announcement from
Aunt Phoebe.
Now what hev you got to say,
little gal?" She turned to the child.
do you care to go with old creetur
like me?"
Before poor Lucy arose visions OF
rest and surcease from constant toll
and added to this, the assurance OF
going to school, her great desire.
why, of course she wants to go,
Mrs. Read said with sarcasm. "Aftel
she knows that she'll be an heiress
some day." and she laughed unpleas
antly.
why, yes, I'd like to go with you
Aunt Phoebe" faltered Lucy, but
but then you've been kind to give MT
a home," she turned to Mrs.. Read
land I'll never forget that
''No, I suppose not" was Mrs
Reads satirical answer. "I'll pacl
up your things, and you can go a.
soon as you like" With this sh'
| strobe to Lucy's room and began tt
r gather her clothing.
The little girl had one regret a
t leaving, and that was her partin,
with Jamie. But Mr.. Read, who hat
always felt kindly toward Lucy
promised to bring the little boy t,
t see her often, which he afterward
3 did.
l Upon reaching Aunt Phoebe
f home she found it to be a large, com
t Portable though rather old-fashione'
< place, with very beautiful, well-kep
2 grounds surrounding it.
A kind, pleasant-faced servan
gave them warm welcome, an,
/ Lucy felt quite at home and happ
!, from the very first
She went to school and gained tn
4 much desired education that she s.
often dreamed of when she was wit
: the Read family. Aunt Phoebe's on
e desire was to make Lucy happy, s.
. she allowed her to often invite he
e girl friends and have merry partie
e and pleasant outings together. An
n Lucy was very popular with the girls
: One day Aunt Phoebe laughingl
e | remarked: "You know, [ heard yo1
0 tell Mildred, when you both though
f l couldn't hear, that you liked m
: and would go with me even if I di
dress funny, bless your dear heart
e Well, I'm goin' to try and be bi
more stylish for your sake. VIII
not?" when Lucy demonstrated. An
0 she did adopt a more up-to-dat
style of dress and looked wonderful
v, sweet and charming in modern at
+ tire. Besides, the old-fashione
q house was remodeled, and new fur
nishings installed, and they wer
+ both greatly delighted over what tn
q old lady called "a shakin' up a.
v around" And Martha, the maiG
4 shared their pleasure.
e AS time passed Mildred vastly i'm
G proved in her disposition and deepl
t regretted her conduct toward Aun
Phoebe and Lucy. She went to Sc