The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-05-25
The old Maid.

the other day when the Stanley's called with
their carriage and utriders, you were engaged;
but the moment the maid said, .'Miss Fisher is
below, Marm." you rushed to meet her as you
would to have seen papa had he been gone a
month. Then she always must have the most
luxurious chair, the best room, the most COM
Portable corner-the incest bit of the greatest
rarity on the table. Pardon me dear mother,
liz speak too strongly for do feel SO puzzled
abouiit. Why, Miss Fisher seems to me moth
ing but little, homely old maid, ptted with
the small pox, without much conversation.
There is mystery about it,"
''My dear child, ! will unravel the mystery,
and then if you do not agree with me in think
ing that Miss Fisher ought to share the best We
have. | shall blush for you"
Miss Fishers father and mine were near
neighbors We both lived in sweet rural village
where the din of the factory and steam en-
gine were never heard A clear river half
embraced it in its silver arms. But mountains
b, rose protectngly around US, and every morn
ing and evening our ears were saluted by the
tinkling of bells of the cattle, as they went
and returned from pasture. 0 how sweet were
the meadows when the grass was cut! Lucy
Fisher and Ihave often made hay together, and
, when the heavy load was completed we have
rode home in triumph on its very proudest
height, wilh the CLEAN of toll and health upon
our sunburnt faces. Lucy was most beauti-
4 ful girl. Yes, Mary, notwithstanding that in
creduleus look she certainly was most beau
. tiful girl. But anticipate. Wewere children
e together When Lucy's new baby house was
built she invited me to come and share 1t.
When her mother gave her any delicacy, she
e always saved piece for me. We studied
0 together, and knitted stockings together When
we talked about the future, even children
will, our lot in life would be always interviewer
together. But we could not always be chill
d dren. Lucy was seventeen, and | was three
months older | had no mother and sisters,
II and my father and brother were frequently
) from home on business. They sometimes went
to foreign lands. AT such times, Lucy always
made her home with me. As said before
!. Lucy was exceedingly attractive in person, and
n about the time l speak of had engaged the
/ affections of squire Morton's son, young man
o who had lust entered the law in a neighborng
J. town. They seemed made for each other. anC
n how truly Lucy loved him. the world will never
sr know. | said my father and brother were fre
n uuently from home. 1t was on one of these
70 occasions that | was taken sick. Polly, in tht
+ kitchen. and myself were the only inmates O
the family Lucy Fisher had been unable tC
D come to me for several days, as her mother:
e health was feeble and their help had left sud'
:, denly, making it necessary for Lucy to supply
n the domestic deficiency. | did not think mucf
,s of my illness at first, but in few hours, wa
so dreadfuIy i'll that | sent for the doctor The
y medical gentleman arrived and seemed exceed
I. ingly disturbed when he felt of my pulse and ex
- amined my symptoms heard him say, in answe
$ to PolIy's inquiries, as he left the room, 'tht
W smallpox" | was not alarmed, for l was to-
E. sick to be terrified. A raging thirst seized me
| called for water, water No one answered m,
call. What. was I alone? Where was Polly
She had left the house in fright to avoid con
tagion. The doctor called again, and spoke c
trying to get nurse for me-but no nurse came
What distressing hours followed. Must dl
alone? Ny father and brother were on the othe
= side Of the globe. and [ afterwards learne
that the people walked on the other side of th
street, where our house was situated, TO avo
n the contagion. 1t was night, and the neglecte
Sc lamp was growing dim, | was tossing wit
es thirst and fever-and covered with the mos
ry loathsome sores Must die alone? With thi
!" sad thought, | sank into an unquet slumbel
in When | awoke, the lamp burned more brightly
tn A cheerful fire on the hearth was reflected b
IS, tall brass andirons. My bed felt easier, m
pillow smoother. A slight form was sitting
~ the old easy-chair, and when the bed clothe
n: rusted, showing that was awake, Lucy Fishe
came softly to me, with are you more comtor
table now, Caroline?"
ID go home, Lucy; go home! Do you kno'
ii what is the matter with me?'
i'd 1T is too late now, said Lucy, with smile
81 have been here some time, all the mschle
er that it is to be done. is done; mama is better
= and has a new woman in the kitchen. and
$ shall stay as long as please. But you mus
. not talk dear Caroline. You are in a ragln
fever"
Then Lucy smoothed my pillow again, an
h. took her seat by my side"
ch DAYS and nights few by, knew not ho,
in many At length one morning heard robl
sI 5; singing at my window, and the little brook q
al the foot of the garden, which L had left ic
,s. bound, | knew was free again; [ heard ii
= merry tones as it ran leaping across the meadow
TX | felt the tide of health returning. 1t SCENE
y y as if | heard voice addressed to me, B
nd clean"
IS; Lucy" family said, dear Lucy, are 20
Is still here?"
aP Thank God, she knows mel" she exclaimed
LII klIc LWlS iib VI INC oiOh OOiiS vain
: to my bedside. But dim as the light was,
was frightened at her appearance.
:, You are sick, my poor Lucy
. Lucy family smiled, and said she had onl
he a slight headache"
a. THE doctor says 1 must leave you, darling
for day or two While | am away, aur
ic Molly. who has had the smallpox, will com
pc and take care of you"
re ro "In about half an hour, Lucy kissed M
he aaectionately, and black aunt Molly took he
place in my sick chamber. heard a carriag
ry drive away from the door as Lucy left What
ne n, | thought, has Lucy rode home, and it is sue
s short distance too! Poor Lucy! She had nc
: gone to her fathers house to spread contagion
for she had caught my disorder, but to hous
in the woods. called the "pest-house, :" there
u await the event of her sickness. We had bot
rs been vaccinated at the same times some year
" before, but in our case the preventative ha'
y, been failure asked black Molly every da
u after my friend, and eagerly inquired of tn
a doctor, as he paid me his daily visits, "How
my Lucy? How is Lucy Fsher?"
J. "She is getting along slowly" said the doc