Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-02-24
Mary's Rich Aunt
Matte
"a 90. Western Nswspaper UnIon.)
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By CLARA DELAFIELD


The Trelawneys waited with some
trepidation at the train. Neither Of
them had ever seen Mary's Aunt Mat
tie, who had written from California
that she was coming to pay visit to
the newly married couple.
shes supposed to be very cranky"
said Mary. AND immensely rich. If
she takes a fancy to US, John, our
fortunes made So you must be just
as nice to her as ever you can be-"
Look" said John, there are the
Harringtonsl"
The Harrmgtons were neighbors OF
the Trelawneys, and certain amount
Of social rivalry existed between
them. Each aspIred to the leadership
in the little community.
Il wonder whom they're waiting
for" said Mary "Oh, what does 1t
matterY
I'VE don't care" said John. u guess
when they find out how much money
Aunt Matties got they'll open their
eyes. Here comes the train y
The train came putting into the sta
ton. Among the last OF the passengers
to descend was a grayhaired old lady
carrying two enormous oblong parcels
81 bet dollar that's Aunt Matter
said John. Come on, Mary, and let's
get around the old harridan"
They went up to her. Aren't you
Amt Mattin7r they asked
you must speak louder I'm just
little deaf" answered the old lady.
aren't you Aunt Matte? Aunt
Matte! Aunt Matter they shouted
In chorus.
At length comprehension reached
the old lady's understanding. BE you
my niece and nephew" she demanded
eyes, come alongw they shouted,
and. each taking the old lady by the
hand, they led her to Johns waiting
car outside the station. A short drive
carried them u the house.
This your house? l don't think
much Of It," shifted Aunt Matte as
they entered
They pushed and pulled Aunt Mat
tie up into the best bedroom Once
In their home. Aunt Matte proved to
be the worst kind Of tyrant. She
sent them flying for hot water and
towels. She was led down to the din
ing room, where she turned up her
nose at the dinner Mary had cooked
Worst Of all. Aunt Matte was almost
totally deaf. aud therefore the con
versution was more or less Of a mono
logue
Dear Aunt Matte, won't YOU try
some Of this soup? l made It myself"
said Mary
Aunt Matte, who had not heard
word, deliberately emptled the scald-
ing soup over the potted plant upon
the table.
"Drat your soup" she screamed
Il dldnt come here to be given thick
soup at my time of life l want some
cold timed tongue"
After vanity attempting to make
Aunt Matte understand that there
was no tongue, Mary, who was nearly
crying went out into the kitchen and
came back with a dish Of sliced ham.
Aunt Matte took Il single glance at
it and. with an indignant sniff, rose
from the table
"You bring them things of mine
down. she cried Il amt agoing to
stay In place where they don't know
the difference between tongue and
ham"
With which she stalked out Of the
dining room. John and Mary looked nj
each other In CONSERVATION.
Well all | can say is, good rid
dance" John remarked Il wouldn't
have that old harridan in my house
for a hundred dollars a week"
"Oh, John, what can we have done
10 vex herr" Mary sobbed
"Just wickedness pure plain wick
edness. her husband answered.
a ring at the door bell startled them
Mary, hastily wiping the tears away,
went cut to open II. followed by her
husband Aunt Matte was sitting in
the dining room scowling, her hands
folded on her lap
outside they found the uarringtons,
with a pleasant grayhaired lady.
"Have you by amy chance, got our
Aunt Hattie here9' they asked
Your Aunt Hattie2" beloved John.
Yes. she-she well. She escaped
from IA nursing home this morning,
audi think we took your Aunt Mat
lie by mistake Wed been notified
that poor Aunt Hattie was on her way
here. and
"Oh Aunt Matte" sobbed Mary,
falling into the old lady's surprised but
motherly arms. She turned 10 Mrs.
Harrington.
Il guess that must be yoar Aunt
Hattie. she said Take her away.
We don't want her, and We've didn't
try to steal her-did we. John !"
Her Mistake.
The actress had been happily mar