Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-17
NO: 1es.'
MEMORIAL DIY IN BRAyDrvILLg.
BY MRS. II. G. ROWE

- iafaesI 4a4
And ye shall return every one, unto his
unto his family" so'''o*
1t was the reading Of these words in her
daily lesson that first suggested the idea,
and it was the extra five dollars that the
rich Miss Macintosh paid her for that six
weeks work on her bridal outfit, that en-
abled the dressmaker TO carry out that idea
and give her old friend, Mrs. Blossom,
who met her at the parsonage door, such
pleasant surprise. "a
why, Esther Brandt, Am dreaming,
or is it really and truly yourself, and not a
shadow?" bliss aat7aa
And half laughing. half crying in her
excitement, the little lady drew her visitor
into the house, in the midst Of perfect
shower of welcome questions. and OK
Carnations. ..~ ,a8Ys@
Where have you kept yourself this
long, long time ?'' ts.s
She had been assisting to remove her
friends wrappings, and as the light fell
full upon the now barred head, revealing
the pale, sad face. and the once rounded
form now painfully slight and fragile, the
quick tears arose to the little woman's eyes,
and there was far less pity than curiosity
in the tone with which she repeated her
question, a question, that made Esther
Brandts pale cheek flush painfully, as she
answered with an evident effort:
"ln the city earning my bread as
seamstress.r = ssqIF>sf
That's an honest calling.n and MR..
Blossom spoke the words with sturdy
cheeriness that faltered little as she add
ed with an involuntary glance at the plain
! g. l. -
but not very easy, or profitable one,
I'm afraid" l.. ...4 a..
Esther smiled, a smile SO wan and hope
less, that it was more significant than the
words that accompanied it,
Not very, but have lived by it,
II have thought of you so often, and
longed to hear from. even if couldn't
see; and have felt almost hurt SOME
times to think you didn't care enough for
old friends to write and let us know where
you were at any rate. .as.sa.zes.s
And the warm.hearted little lady laid
her plump hand carelessly upon her
friends shoulder, and looked into her eyes
with such frank, loving light beaming
from her own, that the ice of reserve that,
IN those long years Of poverty and
strangerhood had gathered so thickly
about the lonely girls heart, was melted
az by touch, and tears, soft and restful.
such tears as her tired eyes had long been
a stranger to, flowed once more
"Oh, Mattier' Git was the old time
diminutive in the old time tones, and Mrs.
Blossoms warm heart bounded at the
sound) ''it was my pride, the old, foolish.
wicked pride that hindered. l could not
bear to have it said, here in Brandtvile,
that the last representative of the oldest
and once richest family in town was work
ing with her needle to keep herself from
starvation. Among strangers who knew
nothing of my former life, could bear it,
but it seemed to me that the piivations
and even the harsh exactions to which
was sometimes subjected, were preferable
to hearing the plying comments Of my
old neighbors."
The plump hand came down with re-
proving pat: e-.'5' hea
You was wrong, dear, wrong. But
| seeing you've come back to your senses,
at last, I'm not going to scold you, until
you've had some supper, at any rate; and
now, if you'll excuse me, IN speak to-
here Willie,' as bright little face glanced
in at the door, .'run up to the study and
tell papa there is some one down here that
he will be glad to see." and as the willing
messenger disappeared, she remarked
with a little pridelul pluming of her ma
ternal feathers:
That's our oldest child, Willard
named for Herbert's old school chum,
Willard Emory" And as her listener
ments panse: You remember him l sup
pose ?"
Certainly"
M, t,t
tone, but Mrs. Blossom was one of those
who never wait for encouragement to
make themselves genial and entertaining
to the best of her ability, and she went on
in her costly confidential fashion:
He came home from the army Just al
ter you went away, but he didn't stay here
long. He had an uncle or some one in
the grain business out West, who took
him into company with him. and they say
he is doing well-at any rate, he sent =
generous contribution towards the soldiers
monument here, and | heard the other
day-oh, Herbert" as that reverend gen
tlrman entered. "Who do you think We
have here? Oar old schoolmate, Esther
Brandt" t.f .s
Esther, >ad face frightened at the
hearty greeting that followed. and leaving
the two TO the interchange OF pleasant
"reminiscences, the thoughtful housewife
slipped from the room. intent upon GER
tain hospitable arrangements FOR her
-uest'S comfort
Dear Girl, - she remarked syinpatheti.
caIlv, as She opened her last jar of straw
berry preseryes-''these strawberries have
lasted wonderfully it is the last OF
May, and We shall have fresh ones In a
few weeks-l must keep her with me long
enough to get that tired look of her face.
70 think, II dainty rearrangement Of the
golden blocks Of sponge cake upon the
plate before her, 'that the old Squire when
everybody thought him so rich should die
penniless, and leave his only child homeless
and alone in this cold world If poor Hal
had only lived crying into the cream
pitcher. I'm ashamed Of you, Martha
Blossom; a minister's wife. and CRYING at
the remembrance of an old friend. Well,
well-Tea's ready. my dear---eome, Es-
| . ghAr nd l..