The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1922-07-29
THE IMPOSTOR
BY ETHEL A. LYONS

e, 1879, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
"Why, l don't know the matrons
voice was dubious, lit is such an un.
usual thing. still" both the old ladies
| looked up hopefully, Il don't see why
it should make-any difference 10 the
Home I'll tell you, you just go
ahead if there's any blame, I'll take
the responsibility Let me know if
can help. Good luck !"
My. amt she finer" Aunt Sarah
Turnbull spoke admirlngly to her conn
panion. Il don't see, Marthy, what
makes you So discontinued here"
Yes, Sarah, l expect l am migrate
full, l don't knows l can explain it
just. do miss my garden and my
chickens, but it's mostly not being
needed. Why, l could do sight o
work yet if l only had the chance :"
II know you could, Marthy that's
why l come TO you now. This business
! have on hand needs gumption, en-
cheering l couldn't handle it in a
thousand years. Now my son Elmer
sends me eight dollars week to pay
my board. It's the 18th of April and
he won't be back from Oregon before
November. Let's see" the old lady
| hesitated, calculating. "Why, Marthy,
it'll be round two hundred dollars.
ELMER would be terrible put out II
he knew about ii, he don't hold with
helping people much he thinks Jim's
family shiftlesS, too. / guess things
have gone To wrack and ruin since
Jim died, but then, what could you
expect when an easy-goin womans
left with five children?
II don't hold with aliases, but when
you get down there Marthy, you'll
have to be Aunt Sally that's what
Jim always called me-"
II see, Sarah; | don't hold with ALI
asses, neither, but l guess in this case
It's means to Justify the end
.
"Annie Barber. what DO you expect
me to cook with?" Martha Ransom,
alias Aunt Sally" glared at Nephew
| Jims wife. "Do you mean to tell me
you keep two cows and a passed. o.
hens and don't have no butter nor
eggs nor hardly enough milk for your
selves?"
but, Aunt Sally" Mrs. Barber pro-
tested, weakly, IF l didn't sell things
how could l buy groceries or pay the
doctors bills, or anything?"
The rest of the morning Aunt Sally
hustled cheerily about. At noon the
youngsters seated themselves at the
table with a hilarious shout. 1t seemed
to them wonderful repast which was
set before them--and, oh, browning
glory-a custard pie! Nothing like
this since dad went. Already II
brought a hint of color to the pinched
faces. Martha beamed with delight.
"William," she spoke TO the eldest
when the meal was concluded, 1--WE
been out to the barn this morning
and l found two settin' hens. Know
anybody round has good Plymouth
Rocks? Mr. Ryley has purebreds? You
get two settin's. then. These hens you
got amt nothin' but tramps. And.
while you're about it, you hunt up a
couple of little pigs. AS longs this
family's goin to use butter and cream
there1l be quite lot of skim milk.
I'll get you the money-and hurry
back. We're goin' to clean the yard
this afternoon"
The last day Of October came. Aunt
Sally" was alone and the tears rolled
unheeded down her cheeks. TT e
thought of leaving these new friends
of hers ana returning to the monotony
Of the old ladies' home was almost I'M
bearable. She tfemblngly wiped away
the tears as the kitchen door opened
"Why. Aunt Sally, whatever is the
matter?" Mrs. Barber deposited nm
apron filed with red apples on the
table and came over to the old lady.
Don't, Annie, don't call me that.
I'm not your aunt Sally. I'm a dread
full impostor. You've been so good to
me- and I've been so happy, I couldn't
90 away without telling you. Your
husbands Aunt Sally sent me She
gave me the board money her son sent
her, and she's taking my place in the
old ladies' home. just got letter,
and I've got to 70 back tomorrow and
I--oh, dear" the tears rained down
again.
"Stop do Stop Mrs. BARRIERS own
eyes were quickly filling. Ny dear
friend, If you are an. impostor. YOU
are a dearly loved one And, oh, I'm
so glad you haven't a home Now we
can give you one"