Auntie’s Mistake.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VIII, 23 August 1902, Page 503

Auntie’s Mistake.

HOW TWO PEOPLE GOT PRESENTS WITH WHICH THEY WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED.

“Let me see, it’s your birthday on Monday, isn’t it, Jack?” Auntie Nell buid, as she was starting, after spending the afternoon with them. "I’m going to send you a present that I’m sure you’ll be delighted with—something that you've wanted ever so long”

“Oh! I wonder what it is,” Jack said. “There are so many things I want. I do hope Monday’ll soon come.”

On her way home Auntie Nell stopped to look in on old Betty Jacobs. Betty lived in one room, and was always grumbling. “Well, and how are you to-day, Betty?” "Uw, there, miss, I be ’bout’s bad’s I can be. What wi’ th’ rheumatiz and th’ coals bein' s’ dear, an’ one thing an’ another, things is pretty bad. An’ th’ Lord only knows how long it’ll be that I can keep out o’ th* work’us.”

help with your housekeeping.” auntie said, after chatting to Bettty, and cheering her up; for everything was always going wrong with Betty, as auntie knew.

Next day was Saturday, so in the morning she carefully wrote out two labels—ons with Jack's address and the other with Betty’s—put them in her pocket, and went off to do her shopping. First she went to a shop outside which were cages, some containing cats, others dugs, and various other pets.

And there she chose the dearest little Irish terrier as her birthday present to and. handing the man one of the addressed labels, told him to be sure to send the dog to the address written thereon the first thing Monday morning.

Then she went on and ordered a good pnreel of groceries to be sent to old Betty the same day. Monday morning cams, and Jack was up and watching for the postman long before he arrived, and he was a little disappointed when amongst his various parcels there was nothing from auntie. However, there was a postcard telling him her present would arrive some time during the morning, so he knew he would not have to wait very much longer. About twelve o’clock a big van drew up at the door, and Jack waited in great excitement while Barker opened the door, and the man brought a parcel in.

“Yes, it’s for you, Master Jack,” Barker said, when she had signed the book and shut the door.

So the parcel was carried up to the dining-room, and Jack cut the string, mother looking on. But, to his amazement, when the wrappings were opened, there was nothing to be seen but a lot of neatlytied packages, and on opening one it proved to contain tea, while another was sugar, and another butter. “It must be a mistake,” mother said; but when they looked at the label it was addressed to Jack plainly enough, in auntie’s writing, and they all felt very puzzled.

“Auntie is sure to be round some time this afternoon. We must ask her about it,” mother said.

And almost the first question auntie asked when she did arrive was:

“Well. Jack, did you like your present ?”

Jack looked for a moment as though he didn't know what to say, then he burst out:

“No, auntie, I didn't like it at all. An’ I think it’s very unkind to send me things for mother’s store-cup-board.”

Then it was auntie’s turn to look puzzled. “But I didn't; I sent you an Irish terrier because mother told me you’d wanted one for ever so long! Why, I believe 1 know what I’ve done. 1 must have changed the labels, and I expect Betty's got your present, and is as dissatisfied as you are.” She was, only more so; for Betty was feeling decidedly Injured at the idea of auntie sending her a dog to eat her “out of house and home,” as she said, and when they explained to her the mistake that had been made she was delighted to hand over the terrier to Jack.

Ro the groceries were sent to Betty, and Tim the terrier went home with Jack; and he is learning all sorts of tricks now, and growing into a very clever doggie.