The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-06-09
A CHANGE OF BASE.


David Thompson's new house was finished
at last, the litter of carpenters, masons, ant
painters was clearedaway, and he had brough
with him his intended wife, that they nigh
plan for fitting it up.
David had been engaged three years, bu
being prudent young man, he said he coulC
never marry till he had fair start in the
world. He thought he had it now, since il
addition to youth, health, house and twenty
acres of land, Mr. Burch. the great mill own
er, had lately made him his foreman-a po-
stion he had long coveted. Their wedding
day was therefore fixed for September-three
months hence.
For once in the worlds history, no one
found any fault with the match, but all de-
clared the happy pair were very we'll suited
to each other.
Sally Dearing, the bride elect, with neither
a beauty, a belle, nor a genius.-she was just
a sweet womanly woman, with domestic
habits, and a great many little feminine tastes
and fancies.
AS TO the Dearing family, they were re-
spectacle, root and branch, and always had
been rs far back as memory or records could
go.
At the present time there We're none of
them remaining in the town save Sallie and
Hcl ptIcHtS, WHO NeIe SeIIIHb lo uc elueIIy
people when she was born. 'Its good
house and thorough built" said David,
looking around him with satisfaction | al
lowed none but the best materials to 90 into
it. 1t might have been done % third cheaper,
but said no--it's for life time.'
"And so bright and sunny" said Salle ''it
seems like home already. Some houses
strike a chill as soon as you enter them, but
| don't think ours can ever be one of that
kind''
Il don't think any house could, with you
for its Mistress" returned David gallantly
In every apartment Sallie found something
to praise and admire, from the bay window
in the parlor. to the wash boilers in the back
kitchen. Opening the door of the bedroom
on the ground floor she remarked-"This
shall be fathers and mothers room. It's
just near enough to the parlor for company,
and just far enough off to be quiet. You
must have planned it or purpose for them,
such Il dear good David as you are,' and the
young lady laid her hand caressingly on his
arm.
David took no notice of the slight advance,
however, but stood twirling his moustache,
and looking thoughtful and embarrassed.
''Of course my parents are to live with us ?''
said Sallie questioningly, after pause.
81 feared you might be expecting it, an
swered David, land have evaded the SUBJ
ject in such way that l hoped you would
understand me without any explanation. 1t
seems you did not, however, and the expla-
nation may as we'll come now as any time.
If you will think the matter over, you will see
that this thing cannot be"
"Why not ?''
because nobody could reasonably expect
a young man to take such burden on his
shoulders"
"But they'll not be Il burden upon you-at
least not much My parents are not pau
pers.'
"And who'll take care of them in their old
agc?" asked David
''Who should, but the daughter they took
care of when she was a baby?" replied Sal
lie.
81 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 wen say no more about it."
David, put to you the same question you
put to me. Who will take care of my pa
rents in their old age? Who if their daugh-
ter forsakes them9"
II don't ask you to forsake them" said
David impatiently, ''that's just like your high
flown way Of putting things. I'm willing
you SIlOulu 40 us IlluCu lOI JOuI 1tS
other people do for theirs, but who hesitates
to marry and leave the old folks behind ?
It's the way of the world. The young bird
forsakcs the old nest, and builds for herself a
new one"
"But David, have you never read how the
stork that was young and strong winged car
ried the old one on its back And would
You have me less dutiful than the fowls OF the
air." replied Sallie. "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 q
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 second story yet.
hope you'll pride myself upon it, and the
young man started to lead the way up stairs
It's no use to go any farther" 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 ?"
That's for you to decide"
''And have decided. OF all the women
in the world have chosen you-but when
marry you, do not marry your family"
Very well, David"
.'How am to understand that?"
"That you and part company"
Every well, it is then. But let me tell you
this, Pm not man to be trifled with. It's
now Or never with me
''Nevcr" said Sallie.
''And let me tell you further, that if you
won't be mistress of this house, there are
plenty that will. There's Jennie Burns, the
handsomest girl in the country-I won't say
that she's to be had for the asking, but have
reason to know she thinks favorably of ME.
AS to this freak of yours, it's nothing more
nor less than sheer obstinacy under the guise
of filial piety.'
''Hard words avail nothing, but will say,
that whoever you bring here, let it be Jennie
Burns or another, l scarcely think she can
be to you what / could have been-I who
have loved you SO long and faithfully And
David, when you shut me out of your life and
home because l refused to break the fifth
commandment, take care that you do not
shut out Gods blessing at the same time"
Sallie had advanced to the outside door
and was standing on the threshold, and the
setting sun, which through the hazy atmos-
pherc was red as blood, shone full upon her.
As she said the last words she raised her hand
to heaven, and bathed in chat crimson light
she reminded David of martyrin the flames.