The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-10-30
Aunt Maggie's Story.
BY z. j. 8.

o, 'aeoio, was, onat raul Cardell was dead.
He was just eighty.fve. He'd lost sight
and hearing, both, they say, and was g lad
to go. It's not so bad with me; but I
wouldn't mind going too. It's stirred my
memory to hear of PauPs death. I've
loved many in my lite, but never any one as
| did him. Ah Tn not ashamed of it, las.
sic, if l am an old maid.
But soon began to think that was mista.
ken. 1t makes girl tremble to think
she may show man who does not love her.
that she likes him over well. All she can
do is to wait. All lassie, ,and the right one
doesent come, and the wrong one does, and
even the wrong one seems better than none
at all. 1t seemed to me that Paul was the
right one; but he did not court, and could
not court him And James Reeder being
man, could do as he chose, and did. He
loved me, and | loved Paul Cardell. Hcay.
en- help us all. l think if women had no
hearts, the world would be merrier place.
put james Reeder off while, and lust
Kept my eyes on Paul. did not love him
and did love Paul. Why could l not
love the man that loved me
Then said | to myself, "be sensible wo.
man. It's better to marry a man that is
fond OF you, if he doesn't seem perfection,
than to waste your youth and strength and
hope, pining TOR one you are nothing to.
It's pretuer IN poem to do the last,
but l wasn't so very young, or so very beau.
tltul that the whole world wanted me. l
guessed what life would be when I was
lonely old maid, handed about like bad
penny, from cousin Jacks to Uncle Ben's
and from sister Hannah's to sister James,
not much wanted anywhere. Better try to
marry man who loved me, happy, and so
learn to love him.
thought it all over. before I went to
bed, one night, and made up my mind that
James Reeder should have a eyes" when
he asked for it. Then | cried-Oh, how
| cried, lassic!
The girls envied me my handsome dash
ing beau. But often, walking with him,
or riding with him, I'd pass Paul Cardell
IN his shabby coat, and say to myself, "Oh,
to be man-just to be man, and 20 a
counting whom | choose, instead of taking
what comes J" didn't want money, nor
such beauty as James Reeder had so much
Of. wanted-well, lassie, wanted Paul,
and no one else though, why he was per.
lection to me, heaven only knows. / dc
| not, and never shall.
What seemed great deal to me, ISM
much to tell. There were picnic partie.
where | met Paul, but where he let James
carry me off when he pleased, and never
tried to step between us.
At last Kitty Walsingham married, anc
they gave great wedding party. They
were rich, and did it in style. They had
line house and fine furniture, and silve
and china, such as no one else had there,
about. And it was an all-day party. Tn,
wedding first, then breakfast and dinner
and dance and supper, of course. l wa
bridesmaid, and Paul stood up with me
Aafter that, you know, it was his place t.
be my beau all day. thought of that an,
nothing else, lassie. 1t gave him one chanc
more. A word from him, and I'd Civ
james Reeder the mitten. A Word =
look even.
When | walked into church, kept think
ing how it would seem to be the bride.
looked prettier than She kne,o did.
was dark, and white became me. | ha
roses in my hair, and pearls in my ears.
did lock pretty, lassie. You're not so pref
ty, vain as you are. It's all, all gone &
eighty-all gone-gone What do W
live - be eighty fory
Sometimes he looked at me that MOI
ming MS it he liked me. lie told me ho
my dress became me. Any man may d
that, but 1t made me so happy for months.
After we came home from church, theI
was the breakiast-and he beside me a
the while and then we all went into I'll
garden. We set under great tree, apa
from the rest, and all of a sudden he locke
me straight iu the eyes,
"Miss Maggie, he said, "do you think
But before | knew what he wante
to know if | thought, some OIL
came, all in hurry, up the path, an
stopped beside me. 1t was James Reeder
"Here you are," said he. "Paul Carde
Mrs. Walsingham wants you to drive Gian
MA Thompson home. She isn't we'll al
wants to go. I'll take care OF Miss Magg
meanwhile.
Paul got up. He gave me look
couldn't understand and after he had gol
a dozen steps, he came back aud offered Il
his hand.
"Good bye, Miss Maggie" he said al
| heard his breath come short and fast
"good bye; and away he went. And
and James Reeder were left alone.
1t happened exactly as knew it woul
lie asked me to be his wife before we h,
been together hal-an hour, and | sal
"Yes"
Oh, now. don't lasssie It's all again
the women in the world. 1t always will b
| Let the strong minded ho1ies M what tb,