Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-28
little feminine tastes and iancies.

had been as far back as memory or records
could go.
At the present time there were none OF
them remaining in the town save Sallie
and her parents, who were getting to be
elderly people when she was born. Its
a good house and thoroughly built" said
David, looking around him with salts
faction. "I allowed none but the best
materials to 60 into it. II might have
been done third cheaper. but | said, no,
it's for lifetime"
"And SO bright and sunny"-said Sallie
'itseems like home already. Some houses
strike chill as soon as you enter them.
but don't think ours can ever DO one
of that kind"
IL don't think any house could, with
you for its mistress" returned David
gallantry.
In every apartment Sallie found some
thing to praise and admire. from the bay
window in the parlor, To the wash-boil-
ers in the back-kitchcn. Opening the
door of the bedroom on the ground floor.
she remark ed-"This shall be fathers
and mothers room. It's lust near enough
TO the parlor for company, and just far
enough of to be quiet. You must have
planned it on purpose for them, such 4
dear good David rs YOU are" and the
Young lady laid her hand carcssingly on
his arm.
David took no notice Of the slight ad.
vance, however, but stood twirling his
moustache. and looking thoughtful and
embarrassed.
'.Oi course my parents are TO live with
us?" said Sallie questioningly. after a
pause,
II feared you might be expecting it,"
answered David. "and have evaded tic
subject in such a way that | hoped you
would understand me without cxplana-
ton. II seems you did not, however. anl
the explanation may rs well come nov
as any time Ii YOU will think the matter
over, YOU will see that this thing cannot
be-
why not?"
because nobody could reasonably e1-
pect young man to take such burden
upon his shoulders.
But they'll not be burden upon you.
at least not much. My parents arc not
paupers."
And who'll take care of them in their
old age?" asked David.
Who should. but the daughter they took
care of when she was baby?" replied
Sallie.
II want my wife to wait on me"
IL don't think | should ever fail in my
duty to my husband"
"rm sure YOU wouldn't my darling. SO
now it's settled and well say no moro
about IT,"
David, put to you the same question
YOU put to me. Who will take care OF
my parents in their old age' Who if their
daughter forsakes them?"
IL don't ask you to forsake thcm," said
David impstiently, that's just like your
high-fown way OF putting things. I'm
willing you should do rs much by your
parents rs other people do for theirs, but
who hcsitates to marry and leave the old
folks behind? It's the way of tho world.
The young bird forsakcs the old nest, and
builds for herselfa new one. "But have
YOU never read how the stork that was
Young and strong-winged. carried the old
one on its back? And would you have me
less du,iful than the fowls Of the air ?" re-
plied Salle. After all the brute creation
are no patterns for u.s." said David. seeing
how Sallie had turned the tables upon
him. And doesn't the scripture say that
a man shall leave father and mother and
cleavc unto his wife? Answer me that.
OF course the same rule holds good for
women, too. So now my dear let's drop
the subject. haven't shown you the sec
ond story yet. | hope you will admire
this staircase, for l quite prided myself
upon it," and the young man started to
lead the way up stairs.
Ats of no use to go any further" said
Sallie, mournfully. yet firmly.
What do you mean by that?" asked
David, pausing and looking back.
THAT shall live where my parents do.
without me?h
That's for you TO decide"
"And hare decided. Ofall the wo-
men in the world have chosen you-but
when / marry you, do not marry your
family"
"Very well, David"
"How am I TO understand that?'
THAT you and l part company"
Every well, it is then. But let me tell
Won this. I'm not man TO be trified with.
It's now or never with me--"
Never"
land let me tell you further, that if you
won't be mistress of this house, there are
plenty that will. There's JEANNE Burns
the handsomest girl in the county,
won't say that she's TO be had for the ask
ing, but have reason to know she thinks
fayorably of me. As to this freak of yours
it's nothing more nor less than sheer OBJ
stinacy under the guise of filial piety''
Hard words avail nothing. but this L
will say, that whoever you bring here be