The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-12-21


they believed her without exception. the
mos, bcwilching liltle compound oil round
ness and rosiness, and sunshine and sparkle
,ha, ever dispensed hearl.aches a. a moon
ligh, promenade, or ear-aches at a husSing
frolic. a..r.f.
Loud, therefore were the lamentations,
when one fine May morning, young man
from the next village, where it chaneed
tha, Maggy had been teaching, tall, sturdy
youth, with well developed head, s'fons'
willing hands, aud hundred acres oil un'
cleared land in Michigan, bore oil the
maiden, an unreluc,ant prize 10 the ma'ri'
monial altar, md against her name was
written ,ha, most common sentence in Inc
table, of New England memories: "Mar'
ried and gone West !"
In early May, it was just Eve months ags
that Maggie went from her grandlalher-
roof, and the few letters received from her
few, because at the time of which we
write, communication between the East and
West was much more difficult than al pres
ent-had given the fullest assurances that
she was happy with The chosen one in her
wilderness home; though now and then an
underione of sadness told that The long
beloved friends of her childhood, were still
dearly treasured.
Blu, the Album quilt! All, that was the
secret, tha, was 10 make Masgie's eyes
glsten, and her heart leap with most ex-
quisile, because unexpected, pleasure.
The quill, was made Of various colored
stars upon ligh, blue ground, all pieced
aud donated by Masgic's most intimate
girl.fnends. The patches weIc chiefly
from dresses and garments which Maggie
had often seen them wearing, and in the
centre Of each, upon white ground, was
inscribed the giver's name in indelible ink
Very nea, in design aud very tasteful in ex-
ecuiion, was the Album quilt, that was des.
tined 10 make sunshine in Maggie's lowly
log cabin in lha, far away wilderness.
Grandma Neal had furnished The cotton
and lining, aud had it put on frames al her
own expense, because, as she said, T" il was
more kind o. central than any other" The
truth was the kind old lady dearly loved
the pra,lle of youthful tongues, particularly
when their theme was her favori,e grand.
child and cOunled the labor Of getting
four or five suppers for dozen mad.cap
girls, as nothing in comparison 10 the pleas
ure felt in their enjoyment.
"Hand me tha, spool, Katy Green" said
one after IN unusually heightened silence
of four minutes, 4" AMI The shears and chalk.
line, please. This pattern is nearly rubbed
oul.n
"Yes,n said little Lo,,ie Wright, "and
here Josiah has destroyed whole graPe
leaf with his elbow.r
ats no, a grape leaf Lotiie," answered
pretty Fanny Grant, 10 whom, as being ac-
knowledged the genius Of the circle, had
been depuled the delicate task Of marking
ing the quilt. "lt's an acanthus leaf, aud
not a; all like grape leaf"
"Well, acun,hus, asphodel, OF cabbage,
its all one TO me-" laughed merry Lolie,
reach mo lha, BIT OF paslebuard, aud tho
pencil, Grandma Neal, and please make
Josiah mark this over again."
"Wonl Maggie laugh when she sees this
little bit Of triangle from my chocolate
wrapper" said Susy Pease, "shc used 10
say il was so homcly that the cows ran
away from me when we were crossing the
meadow. | venture she'll think !, looks.
pretty here, though"
"Masgie and had dIesses alike. from
this oil colored red,n remarked Katy Green,
"she'll remember, guess, how Major
Pierce's big turkey chased US for daring to
wear them on his premises. Do you think
we can finish it a, two more siltings, Grand.
NAL"
"0h yes; and besides you know the girls
from the Corners, who couldn't come las,
week, will be here the last day. ! shall
send them word to come on Thursday, and
wc'll end it Off with nice little party"
There was a general demonstration Of
satisfaction at this arrangement, in the
mids, Of which the girls suddenly became
so still, as a loud knock sounded a, The hall
door.
Old Mrs. Neal went 10 open il, saying
that of course Josiah mus, be off when he
was wanted. She was gone but few mo-
men,s, for the man seemed in srea, haste,
but when she returned 10 the room, wha,
was The CONSERVATION Of the quiliers 10 see
tha, che was agilaiod and weeping.
"Ii's all over, girls, about sending the
quilt. You've had your labor Tor nothing.
Deacon Bates called to tell me ,ha, he has
determined to start for Michigan tomorrow
morning! His friends from Maine have
arrived, and they wish 10 so on together.
He mnst have Magsie's box at six o'clock
in the morning, and !, must 60 without the
quilt. Poor Maggie"
There was no, dry eye in the circle.
{" It's TOO bad !" cried Hattie Bower, "he
ought 10 have notified you sooner. We
would have come here a, daylight, 10 quilt"
"You couldn't have flashed il, dear, IL
you had, so we must try and not fret about
it, though it does seem hard q, first, consid.
ering all the pains we've taken. It's a
thing that can't be helped don't cry any
of you. You've labOred faithfully, out Of
pure love to your old friend, and you'll have
your reward. The quilt can 60 in the
sp:ing, for know several families that are