Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-27

poor Mr.. Browns children every now
and them this, toe. was another illu-
sion. Miss Jennings found that children
will not be looked at How aud then, but
require constant gazing. And SO she
looked at them so assiduously that the
circulating library Indignantly sent in
for the second volume. and would rather
decline Miss Jennings subscription than
have books kept so long, if you please.
Indeed, was Miss Jennings angry
rejoinder; they were welcome to the
second volume, stupid trash she remem-
bered quite we'll she was falling asleep
over it when poor Brown came in, and
she had something else to do now, thank
heaven So she had, good Miss Jennings;
she had seven children to mind and q
house to take care of. Mr.. Brown, a
poer nervous map, in state of chronic
depression, thanked her much, and was
apt to be overcome with gratitude at
times, but he did nothing to relieve her
burden. Poor fellow" thought Miss
Jennings, as she now and then gave him
a wistful look, he is as helpless as
baby, you know" And so be was, SO
much so that, spite Miss Jennings Wig
lance, many matters would, and did 60
wrong. The evils at length became 50
serious and so crying that Miss Jennings
ventured on remonstrance. Mr.. Brown
groaned and knocked his head distract
edly against the parlor mantel-piece, but
said it could not be helped. They must
all 90 to ruin, he and the children; it
was very sad, but it must be so. Ny
goodness !" exclaimed Miss Jennings,
"he was not to say that" But Mr..
Brown would say that Miss Jennings was
very kind, but of course she could not be
in two places at once-in her own house
and his; his dear wife had told him to
marry again, by all means, but the poor
dear soul had forgotten to say who would
take clerk of fifty-two with moderate
salary and seven children, all under if
tesnl And Mr.. Brown closed his eyes
in silent desperation at the case, and said
no more.
Miss Jennings looked around her,
much moved. Spite of all she had done
aud was doing, the parlor locked very
comfortless, aud the house, Miss Jen-
nings knew, was like the parlor. Winter
had long been over; the spring and the
summer which had followed it had
waned; another winter was beginning.
She had given up every little enjoyment
Of her lonely life to this family. She
had scelded the servant-she had mended
the younger children's clothes-she had
taught the elder oues-they all loved her
dearly, and Mr.. Brown was very grate-
full and still, either because his means
were insufficient, or because his posi-
ton was one of too great difficulty, there
was some dreary truth in his gloomy as
sertion that they were all going to ruin.
She gently touched his arm, and looking
at him with tears in her eyes, and little
blush on her faded cheek, she said:
"Mr. Brown, am ffty-one l have
q hundred year, aud. the house live in
is my own. | love your children, and
they love me- will you marry me ?
At first he stared, and could not be-
leve his ears-then burst OF tears ex
pressed his joy; and need it be said that
he accepted Miss Jennings proPosal2
Need it be said, too, what world of
good occurred to him and his children
thereby2 And good Miss Jennings. like
the man in our first instance, but with far
better reason, never repented. For
among the results of next door neigh
borshlps may be numbered the matrimo-
nial every now and then.