Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-05-28
TIL f THREE OSTS.
by Z. W. DEVICES.

THE THREE GHOSTS.
by E. W. DEVICES.
Round cheerful wood fire, in a quaint old
country house, three sisters sat talking in the
twilight. The bright blaze illumined the room
IN which few portraits were hanging, and
cast grotesque shadows from the old fashion
ed furniture. The ruddy glow lighted up the
lovely faces Of the sisters enjoying its cheer
funess.
Very charming were they all, but very diff
ferent in their beauty.
Margaret the clder-she who sits to the right
of the fire, with her head thrown partly back,
while her hands were crossed upon her knees,
is about twenty-five. She is tall, stately, and
proudly beautiful. Sophie, s'pretty Sophie
sits opposite on sofa with the head Of little
Rose, who is reclining, on her lap.
Little Rose, the youngest, with neither Mar
garcts queenly grace, nor Sophie's brilliant
beauty, was what ladies call 'sa darling''-that
is. she was loveable, charming and innocent.
In fact she was fresh and sweet as a hawthorn
blossom.
These three young girls were singularly sit
uated. They resided in the old homestead,
where We have found them, alone, except for
the servants who attended them. Father and
mother had both died within a few years, and
as there was no relation to supply, even in q
measure, their places, the orphan sisters claye
yet more closely to each other, and continued
10 live in their desolate home, like birds who
nestle together in the old nest when the parent
birds have left them.
old F,Tt ,f,1r 4
Kitty Cork, "a person notwithstanding her
juvenile name, of middle age and tried fidcli-
ty) were their only domestics-but they suffi-
ced, for their labors were performed in the
spirit of love and willingness.
Such was the little household of the sisters
and there they were settled-for life. For
be it known to you, redulous reader, that
each of the fair sisterhood was under a solemn
VOW of celibacy.
When their father and mother died and left
them all alone in the world, they took each o.
ther by the hand and solcmnly promised new
er to desert each other, but to live and die to
gether.
Three years had passed since that time, and
though their loveiness had attracted suitors
even to their quiet, lonely home, no wish had
ever been breathed by any of the sisters of a
wish to break their vow.
On the contrary, they often applauded their
wisdom in devising it, and swore fealty to it
anew.
Some such conversation had taken place on
the very evening l had chosen to introduce
them to my readers. Indeed, they were more
than usually vehement in the denunciations of
any treason to their code. Margaret's eyes
had flashed indignant at the very thought of
such treachery-Sophe had painted most
touchingly the lonely state of the other two
should one be base enough to desert-and lit
tie Rose had declared, sThat even if Prince
Charming himself should come flying into the
room in golden chariot, and were to fall at
her feet all crowned with diamonds, she would
not waver the least mite-but should say very
coldly, "Rise, Prince Charming, you can't
have ME, have promised my sisters never to
marry.''
Margaret and Sophie laughed at little Roses
sally, and the greatest unanimity appeared 10
prevail
While they sat over The fire discussing the
subject, Kitty Cork entered with a baske. of
chcstnuts, saying,
"Ifyou plase, leddies Thomas bids me give
yees these nuts. He's after pickin' them his
self and he says as it's Hollow-Ave yen be
thryin' yer fortunes, good or bad-and its wish
in We guide luck and guide husbands he is.''
''Does not Thomas know-7' began Marga-
garet with frown.
''Ou-ay-he knows, - interrupted Kitty with
, slight toss Of the head-but Immediately re-
penting this imprudent gesture, she added
with rogush demureness-
"0ch, but Thomas is quare, headstrong,
ould body. Puir, ould sowl, he has ay his
ETanks and Withstand ans is, yen a. three