Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1877 — Aunt Doleful’s Visit. [ARTICLE]

Aunt Doleful’s Visit.

“How do you do, Cornelia? I heard you were a little ill, and I stepped in to cheer you up a little. My friends often say, ‘ It’s such a coir fort to see you, Aunt Doleful. You have such a flow of conversation, and are so lively!’ Besides I said to myself, as J came up the stairs, ‘ Perhaps its the last time I shall .ever see Cornelia Jane alive * “ You don’t mean to die Vet, eh ? Well now, how do you know ? You can’t tell. You think you are getting better, but there was poor Mrs. Jones sitting up and every one saying how much better she was—and she was-—and all of a sudden she was taken ill with spasms in the heart, and went off like a flash. Jemima is young to bring the baby up by hand. But you must be careful, and not get anxious and excited. Keep Quite calm, and don't fret about anything. Of course, things can’t go on just as if you were down stairs; and I wondered whether you knew your little Billy was sailing about in a tub on the mill-pond, and that your little Sammy was letting your little Jimmy down from the balcony in a clothes basket. “Graciousgoodness, what’s the matter! I dare say Providence’ll take care of him. Don't look so. You thought Bridget was watching them! Well, no, she isn’t. I saw her talking to a man at the rate. He looked to me like a burglar. So doubt she’ll let him take the impression Of the door-key in wax; and then he’ll get iri and murder you all. There was a family at Kobble Hill all killed last week for a few dollars. Now don’t fidget; it will be bad tor the baby. ’*Pww little dear! How singular it is, to be sure, that yon can’t tail whether a child is blind, or deaf and dumb, or a cripple at that age I It might be ail, and you’d never know it “ Moat of than that have their senses make bad use of them, though; that ought to be your comfort, if it does turn ont to have anything dreadful the matter with it And many don’t liye a year. I saw a baby's funeral down the street as 1 came along. “ Scarlet fever has broken out in the town, Cornelia. • Little Isaac Potter has it and I saw your Jimmy playing with him last Saturday. “Well, I must be going now. I’ve got another tick friend, anal saa’n’t think my duty done unless 1 cheer her up a little before sleep. Good-bye. How pale you look, Cornelia. I don’t believe you have a good doctor. Do send him away, •nd try some one else. You don’t look ao well aa you did when I came in. But if I can’t do anything, I can cheer you up a litae.”-Jform«p Star.