The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-11-15
The Old Maids Story.
BY POCAHONTAs.

young to-day, as when my hair was dark
" brown, my eyes bright, and my hear
happy. Though now my hair is white
my eyes dim, my face wrinkled; retaiI
the same young heart. still love t
wear my hair in broad bands, as he onco
said it was so becoming; love % spenc
hours in looking at it, because lie ono,
said it was 50 beautiful; love to close ny
eyes lean back, in my chair, think how
saw him last, and -. But reade
would you not like to hear my Story
If you would, | will tell it.
was left an orphan very young il
Life, thrown upon this wide, cold world
pennyless. But God raised up for me &
friend, in a maiden aunt, who lived some
distance from the place in which was
born.
When | went 10 live with her, wa,
very young, yet, well remember her, as
she gave me the first kiss; the snow white
cap, with such a broad friI; the great
cape, that fell in heavy folds around her
shoulders; she had a mothcrly look, and
| felt | could love her.
Here first saw my cousin John, he
was to be my playmate and companion,
for he, too. was an orphan, and nay good
aunt was his only friend in this world,
had not been there two days when
John took me out to an arbor, and with
one little arm thrown around my waist,
he told me of his beautiful mother, who
died SO young in life, because his father
loved her not; and how his young, hand
some father died afterwards, of remorse,
and was laid by her side. Then John
pointed to the hill, showed me their
tombs far away, and said, when he prayed, i,
he always knelt that way.
lie was my only playmate, we sang,
we rode. we walked, hunted wild flowers
on the hill, or waded into the brook, al
ways together. They were bright, hap
py years, those that John and spent TO-
gelher, but they soon past away.
But four had fled quickly by, when in
the midst Of our happiness we were in
formed, that Il must 60 to boarding
school and John to college," and in one
week from the notice, we were torn weep
ing apart.
Ibid not meet him again for six years,
and when did, it was not the blushing
school-boy | parted from, but hand.
some, accomplished man; | had changed
too, SO John said, as he kissed my cheek,
and called me his beautiful sister"
1t was some time before | could get ac-
cuSlomed TO the society of my manly
cousin; this was not strange, as had
been only in the company Of females SO
long, At first, would call John - Mr..
Welden;" this he positively forbid; then
called him . cousin;" he said it must be
BROTHER" but could not. He would
call me sister, so sweetly, as he would
draw me to him, for a goodnight kiss.
Eight months | spent in John society,
and | loved him; yes, loved him wildly,
passionatcly, adoringly, just as one of my
nature could love, | thought he loved
me, he would lift me SO carefully into the
saddle when we rode, he would make me
lean upon his arm if we wa ked, and he
would lean for hours over the piano forte
when | played. He seemed to care for
no society buj mine. he sought no other,
and therefore cared forn buthis. |
could linger forever over this part of my
history. O, those short happy months 4!
how quickly they past away, and the dark,
dark days which followed.
One evening chow well remember it)
the moon was very bright, the little stars
twinkled with a peculiar light, and all
things looked so beautiful. OH how
could al be so peaceful, and calm, when
this evening my suffering would com
mcnce
John and had gone to take walk, we
had Just got past our nearest neighbours,
when we met Mrs. Bark, she asked us to
come and spend the evening at her house
as she had niece visiting her from the
city, Maud Weston. John made some
trihing excuse, and saw he did not wish
to 60, but | always liked to see him give
up his wishes to mine, he didi itso sweetly,
Just as though it was pleasure, so | ex-
pressed wish to go. John acquiesced,
and We went.
As soon as we came into her presence
noticed how very beautiful she was, and
turned TO see what effect it would have on
John. lie seemed filled with astonish-
ment and admiration, and did not move
his eyes from her face for some minutes
| began to converse with Mrs. Bark, for
could not talk to the stranger, some
thing told me she would be my rival.
Soon John and Miss Weston were engag-
ed on the other side of the room, and |
was left for Mrs. Bark to entertain. One
hour past, (it was a long one to me, for
it was the first time John had ever left my
side for anothcr,) and Maud Weston
struck the piano. 1t was magic touch,
she was my superior as player. | had
taken the prize for two years at Mrs VS..
academy, but could not play like her
John seemed spell bound he did not
move until the music ceased, and then
tunngto me, he asked, " Did you ever
hear such music ?"
| thought to myself, that the music
which is awakened by loved fingers,
should be superior to all. From that
hour was miserable
After we had returned home, | went
(as it was my custom to the piano, to
nlnu for ahnnt an hour. before retiring -