Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-09-12

that Doth ol hcr sisters lett their mother
and went TO the South as teachers, with
the prospect of pleasant situations and
large salaries, and the expectation of re-
turning in two years,
They were fair fragile girls; the eli.
mate did not suit them, and in less than
two years the elder wrote of the younger
to Gertrude "lf you would see her on
earth you must come to us quick" And
Gertrude had to wait week before she
could raise the money necessary to defray
the expenses Of her journey, and when
she reached its end she was too late.
Aud Gertrude brought back her other
sister broken in health and in heart, and
when the doctor said that a year of rest
aud journey to the springs was all that
could save her, Gertrude bowed her pride
and wrote to the uncle she had never
seen, but who was her fathers elder
brother, rich and childless widower, and
told him the touching story of her need and
hclplessness, aud bcsought his aid not
for herself, but tor her almost dying sis
ter aud widowed mothcr-bcsought it by
all the tender memories of his boyhood
in the name Of that only brother with
whose youth his own was bound up so
closely not to turn deaf car to the ap-
pcals of his child.
Dcnnis Wooster was hard, stern in
flexible man. His heart had grown hard
er with gathering years and wealth, 50
i,nxl IL, HI ,.t tb tbc onI
of his ncicc He had quarreled with her
father years before, and the brothers had
separated in angry bitterness, which later
years had not healed.
There was no doubt that Dennis Woos-
ter was more to blame than his younger
brother. for the disagreement was on some
point connected with the settlement of the
estate after the death of their parents,
and Gerirude's father was as generous and
impul.iyc ~ his brother was cautious and
mi,cry.
50 the old bitterness seethel in the
heart of the hard, lonely old man as he
read the letter of Gertrude, and he sent
her 4 check for fifty dollars, with a re-
quest that she would not make his re-
lationship to her father the basis of any
more appeals 10 his charity, as 1t was one
which, by the consent of both parties.
had virtually ceased to exist years ago.
AMI the writer thereof could not regard
him SET undrr obligations 10 relieve the
misfortune which Edwin Woostcr's own
impruacncc aud rashncss had brought up
ON his widow and children.
1t vas a cruel letter, but the words
that weunlel hardest aud stung keenest
thr heart Of the sensitive girI vas the re-
proach aimed at the father whose name
,ho loved aud honored. The first impulse
WAS to return the check to the heart!eSs
sivrr, but then the pale, dropping face OF
her sister Looked into the room where she
at. ard Gertrude iclt She owed to the
living what >hc could not spare to the
lead. 30 she wrote for answer: =" tod,
the God of the widow and the tAtherless,
be iulse between me and thee, o, Dennis
Wooster" And the words sank deep into
the heart Of the proud, stern old man,
and hy night and by day thoy haunted
him, anil he could not put them away.
Fifty dollars could not do much. and
the sister of Gcrtrudc pcrished before the
full blo,somiug of her youth And alter
that the mother died also, and with her
twcnty-fth birthday Gertrude Wooster
va, alone.
She obtained situation as teacher
in a city boarding school, and perhaps 1t
was well at that time that exerton was
necessary for her, and that her thoughts
could not wander always amid the groycs
of her youth.
And She had not been mothcrlcss full
year when new interest IN her life be-
rln 10 twine i-s soft libres about her soul.
Gertrude had one scholar, u sweet, deii-
cate creature, whose budding girlhood re-
minlcd her of her younger sisters, and
,naularly warm attachment sprahg up
between the young teacher and her sehol-
ar.
After time Gertrude met the brother
Of her pupil, who had just returned from
4 visit to Europe. He was near his
ihir;icth birthday, a man OF sterling
principles. of fine talents, of warm and
Generous heart, ard all these bore most
attractive witness in his face and manner.
Perhaps the young lawyers interest IN
his sisters teacher was first awakened by
that sisters lavi.hed praises, but his hrst
interview with her corrooorated all the
Girls statements. There was somethln.
in the sweet womanly bearing that
strangely attracted the young lawyer
who was familiar with the most gra-
eious and accomplished women OF his
own and other countries.
The first visit was frequently repeated,
till the heart of Theodore Sterling came
to do reverence to all that he felt was
true, and pure. aud lovely in the eharae,
ter of Gertrude Wooster. She realized
IN his heart and mind that ideal of true,
earnest, intelligent womanhood which he
had never met with among those who had
touched his fancy or excited his admira-
ton.
He learned through his sister the sor-
rows of Gertrude Wooster's youth-those
sorrows which had touched her face and
thrilled her voice with their subtle mourn
fulness. and he came in little while to
feel that lie could hold no JOY for him so
great as to shelter her youth from all fur
ther sorrow in his own deep heart OF ten
derness, to take her out from all the chill
IL