The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-05-12
AUNT MOLLY
BY ETHEL A. LYONS

"My, but I'm tiredl Mrs. Symmes
sank down YEARLY in the patent rocker
in Aunt Molly Magee's parlor. II
mustn't stop minute. I've been go
ing night and day trying to make this
fair success. The church needs the
money so badly. You'll wash dishes
for us, Of course, Mrs. Magee?"
"Of course l will-not"
Mrs. Symmes jumped.
"For twenty years now"-Aunt
Molly grasped the arms Of her chair
with two plump hands and bent for
ward-'I've washed dishes at every
banquet and supper and Sunday school
picnic in this town. If you want me
to help sellin' things I'll go-but I
won't wash dishes"
"Oh, I'm so sorry" Mrs. Symmes
was all sympathetic CONSERVATION. II
never knew you felt like that But
about the booths-why-erI don't
know. There's nothing left but the
aprons, and Mrs. Lucas has always
had them"
The night Of the fair found Aunt
Molly respondent in her best black
silk and rhinestone brooch, presiding
over the aprons.
Mrs SymmeS in the cramped little
church kitchen, nervOusly endeavOring
to keep hot half-dozen chicken pies
On the little two-by-four cook stove,
and hoping that Aunt Molly wouldn't
bungle things too badly, was startled
into leaving her post by a hilarious
shout from the outer room. She
glanced out the door to see Mr.. Con-
roy. proprietor Of the village market,
strutting about, his bulky form swathed
In checked Bingham apron Of large
proportions.
ooh, DEAR" said Mrs Symmes to
Aunt Molly. Mrs. Magee, why ever
did you sell that apron to Conroy? I
make one like that every year so that
old Mrs. Lane will buy it. She never
can get things big enough"
There, now, don't you worry"
so0thed Aunt Molly, her face aglow.
II made him pay me five dollars for
that apron, and If anyone can pry old
Coaroy loose from a five-dollar bill
say do it."
Cora Whipple. you come here"
Mrs. Symmes felt herself dismissed as
a rosy-cheeked girl came at Aunt Mol
ly's bidding. @Cora, don't you ever
make fudge for Erwin? You needn't
blush, but next time you just wear
this pink fudge apron and see what
happens. No, a dollars enough, I
guess.
'Elsie, bet your mad be just tickled
to death with one of these little sew
ing aprons for her birthday. This
white one with the ruffie's mighty
cute, too. You want 'em both? Good!
"Here, Miss Sykes, you buy this oil
cloth jigger and you won't drown your
self when you wash dishes, like you
always do"
Aunt Molly knew her ''line" and her
customers. At $50 she was sold out.
Complacently she began counting her
spoils.
sOh. Mrs. Mageer' walled pretty
Mile Burke, hurrying across from
the fancy work booth, "would you
help us with those vanity bags"
"Sure I'll help, but you ought to've
known better than to make them, in
the FIRST place. All the girls may not
have bingham aprons, but you should
know that all those as would use 'em
has vanity bags already. Here" she
thrust the box of money toward Milly.
"You finish counting that. Here comes
Doctor Arnister," as the young doctors
1.-THE, dark figure appeared in the door
way. "Bet you 10 cents sell him
that old-rose bag for So. Just suits
his complexion" With chuckle she
was away.
~Well, what do you think" An
hour later Mile Burke burst into the
kitchen. weak from laughter. "Aunt
Molly has sold every one of those
bags; we haven't thing left but
canned fruit. And Doctor Arnister and
Judge Peterson-oh, just come and
see" She drew Mrs. Symmes outside.
Uproar and feminine shrieks greeted
them.
Mrs. Symmes stared-every male
face In the crowd was work Of art.
Rouge and eyebrow pencil, 1ipstick and
powder had all been applied with a
lavish hand. Conroy's rosy-hued coun-
tenance was a CHASTITY white; someone
had used an eyebrow pencil with great
diligence ON the judges bald spot;
Dandy Smithson's erstwhile blond
mustache had turned a brilliant car
mine.
GLOW much? How much?" Aunt
Molly had turned auctioneer. Her
strident voice was heard above the
hubbub. allow much am I offered for
this can of peaches? You, judge, how
much? Remember, not one bite to eat
for anybody till the last things sold.
How"
@Great guns" groaned the Judge,
.spack up the whole business, woman,
and send 1t TO the old ladies' home.
Til pay the BILL"
With a mighty cheer the crowd
made rush for the supper room.
Land sakes!" Aunt Molly gave a
feeble ehuckle as she wiped the per-
spiration from her face and lowered
her weary body into II convenient
chair. 81 never in my life see folks
have such a good time"