Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-05-28
THE TIL Rec GHOSTS.
BY E. W. DEWEEs.


Roua6 s cheerful wood fire, in quaint old
country house, three sisters sat talking In the
twilight. The bright blaze llumined the room,
in which few portraits were hanging, and
cast grotesque shadows from the old fashion
ed furniture. The ruddy glow lighted u,I the
laveiy faces Of the sisters, enjoying its cheer
fulness.
Very charming were they all, but very diff
ferent in their beauty.
Margaret the elder-she who sits to the right
of the fro, 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, spretty Sophie"
sits opposite on sofa with the head Of little
Rose, who is reclining, her lap.
Little Rose, the youngest, with neither Mar
garet's queenly grace, nor S0phie's brilliant
bcanty, vas what ladies call ga darling g'-that
IS, she was loveable, charming and innocent.
In fact she was fresh aud sweet as hawthorn
blossom.
These three young girls Heze 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 few years, and
as there was no relation to supply, even in q
measure, their places, the orphan sisters clave
yet more closely to each other, and continued
TO live in their desoiate home, ike birds who
nestle together in the Old nest when the parent
birds have left them.
Thomas, an old and faithful man servant and
kitty3 Cork, "a person Notwithstanding her
juvenile name, of middle age and tried fdeli-
ty) were their only domestics-but they sSiiii-
ced, for their labors were performed in tho
spirit of lore and willingness.
Such was the little household of the sisters
and there they were setted-for life. For,
be it known to you, incredulous reader, that
each of the fair sisterhood was under solemn
vow of celibaey.
When their father and mother died and left
them all alone in the world, they took each o.
ther by tho hand and solemnly promised new
er to desert each other, but to live and die to-
gether.
Three years hal passed since that time, and
though their loveliness had attracted suitors
e@er to their quiet, lonely home, no wish had
ever been breathed by any of the sisters of 4
wish TO break their vow.
On the contrary, they often applau'icd their
wisdom in devi,ing it, and swore fealty to ii
anew.
Some such conversation had taken place or
the very evening had chosen to introduce
them to my readers. Indeed, they were rlore
than usually vehement in the denunciations Of
any treason to their code. Nargaret's eye:
had flashed indignant at the very thought o.
such treaehery--Sophie had painted mos
touchinsly the lonely state of the other two
should one be base enough to desert-and lit
tie Rose had declared, ssThat even if Prince
Charming himself should come flying into th'
.oom in golden chariot, and were to fall a
her feet all crowned with diamonds, she woulC
not waver the least mite-but should say yer.
coldly, s.Rise, Prince Charming, You can
have me, have promised my sisters never t.
marry
Margaret and Sophie laughed at little Rose
sally, and the greatest unanimity appeared t.
prevail.
While they sat over .he fire discussing tn
subject, Kitty Cork entered with basket o
chestnuts, saying,
eff you plase, leddies, Thomas bids me Civ
yees these nuts. He's after pickin' them his
self and he says as it's HolIow-Ave yen
thryin' yer fortunes, good or bad-and its WISH
IN ye guide luck and guide husbands he IS"
'sDoes not Thomas know began Mafg'
garet with a frown.
"Ou-ay-he knows, - interrupted Kitty Wit
a slight toss of the head-but Immediately re
psnting this imprudent gesture, she adde
with roguish occurrences
.'Och, but Thomas is quare, headstront
ould body. Puir, ould sowl, he has ay
eranks and whima-and ans is, yen a. thTe