Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-09-29
MisfellanepMs.
Old Heads and Young Hearts.

a little brown house. situated on the out.
skirts OF New England village, that
seemed battling for a place aud position
among the grand old mountains by which
it was surrounded. For, stretching away
in every direction. dwellings nestled close
up to the rugged sides Of the hills, draped
with evcrgreens, beautiful in landscape.
but detestablc to the cultivators of the
soil. Patches Of sCiled snow and sections
Of bare ground told of the warfare going
OH between winter and summer and the
larger amount Of territory gained by the
latter told plainly which would be the
victor. Great brown apple trees in and
around the village stretched their tiny
buds imploringiy toward the warm sun
shine, like mendicants pleading for chari.
ty; while the few robins that had ven.
turcd into the disputed territory twittcr.
cd among the b.rc branches, or. sang
p;cans over the discontinue Of their old
enemy, winter.
But in the little brown house, almost
hidden by tall lilacs aud swectbriar, a
ulOtutT duu ur ukutCi "CtO SOuNSlSiuS
sadly OF their present and future.
I" It's no use. mother! This is the third
time | have been repulsed. l Was 50 sure
Of this situation, and now the principal
sends word that Judge Whitcomb has re.
commended an old and experienced teach.
er, and that the place is secured for her.
He seems TO have something to do with
every failure have had as yet l can
not understand it,"
Il am afraid l do. Lucy. Judge Whit.
comb is wealthy and purse.proud, and
knowing OF the attachment between you
and Morton, he wishes to keep you from
u place as teacher in the village, thinking
perhaps. i: will force you to find employ
lnent farther away"
The rich color flashed into the beauti.
full girls cheeks, and bright lus,re to
her dark eyes.
And you think that. too, is TIE reason
he sent Morton away to pursue studies
that are taught in our own school p
81 do. Aud, furthermore, that he will
continue to place every obstacle in your
path that he possibly can. 1t is his boast
that he never undertakes thing in earn.
est and is loiled and it is true, or nearly
go, believe. for | have known him for
over twenty years.
but he shall not succeed in this, or
at least not wholly. will rise! | i'll
become successful teacher, and them
well then-the future must take care of
ITSELF" she said, more gently.
"Lucy, has Morton ever spoken to you
Of marriage? Ever asked you to become
his wife?'
"Never. mother! We have been dear
friends, always; and he has often told me-
that was dearer to him than any one
else on earth nothing more"
IL thought l had your confidence, my
daughter, and am glad that was not
mistaken. Now. would you be willing to
leave this place and never see Morton
Whltcomb again. if by so doing you could
be sure Of an advantageous position as
teacher ?"
"Oh uother!" and sharp pain at her
heart told how precious was the love she
treasured there.
The mother watched the struggle with
the same shrinking that she would have
done a surgical operation that she thought
unavoidable, and then said:
~ have been offered two thousand dol
lars for my place, as you know; and can
still take it if | wish. And while you
were out for your answer, this morning,
| received another letter from brother
James. begging me to come to him and
take charge Of his motherless girls, and
Offering you q place as subordinate teach.
er in one Of the most aourishing schools
in the city where he resides. and at a
salary much higher than you could expect
to receive here, even rs principal. Your
young cousins also will take lessons from
you on the piano, which he assures me
shall not lessen your income.
"But is it ono of the conditions that
| shall never see Morton again?"
"Certaiuly not! But it is not likely
that you will ever do SO; if you 60 to
Illinois to live, ypR will probably be for-
ever separated. Hound by no pledge,
why should he ever fallaw YOU there"
Hut Lucy Msrryman was not 40 aure
Of this. Hope has strong attachment
for youth, while it merely cpquettes with
the old and middle.aged.
~ will 60. mother" she sa1 cheer
fully, "and then ! shall be abW to pay
hack somethino Of the large amount