The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-06


row; 40 what difference docs II make |"
Christie smiled OF tho literal old Adyi but follow.
Ing tho fancy that pleased her, she added earnestly;
III know the end Is Tho sanci but \ does make
difference how they turn 10 ashes, and how spend
my lIio. That log With Its ono dull spot OF IRE,
gives neither life nor warmth hut lies sizzling dcs.
pOndently among the cinders. But tho other CLOVIS
irom end 10 end with cheerful little flames that r.
singing un the chimney with q pleasant sound: IL
light dib thereon and Bhiros out into tho dark IL
warmth draws nA nearer, making the hearth iho
coscst place In the house, ant We shall AL miss me
friendly blaGO when 1t dies, Yes, hhe mued, a. y 70
herself ~ hope my life may ID Ike mat 70 tnat;
whether Il be long or abort II will DO useful and
cheerful while Il llSta Will 10 missed when II ends,
and leave something behind besides ashes" 80.
Though she only half understood them, nie girls
words touched the old lady, aud made her LOOK an1'
iously at the eager young face gazing 30 wisuSuy
"a good smart biowin' up with The bclases would
make the green stick burn most a. well as The dry
one after spell. guess contOntcdnCss 10 the eeuS
for young folks, Of thoy would only think sO."
ri darUSsy you arc, right, Auniyi but want 10 try
for myself; aud III fall I'll come back aud follow
your advice. Young folks always havO disseminated
hts, you know. Diln you whom you were giElH
"Shouldnt wonder Of / dldi but EnOs came along
"AIy Enoa has not come along yet, and never may;
70 I'm not going 20 ait and wait for any man 10 give
me Independence, II ] can earn II for myself"
And quick glance At the grui, gray old man In tho
Aunt DotSCy made bad bargain when she tIChAng.
ID her girlsh aspirations for MAD whose soul was
In his pocket.
"Jeit Ike her mother. fun Of hltAlu,ln notions,
Disseminated and cot in her own idees ap0or capi.
tai 20 start foftln on"
Christic'S eye met that Of her uncle ptoring over
The top Of hI6 paper with an expression that always
tried her Patience. Now II was like dAAh OF cold
water on her enthusiasm, and hor face fell rs she
answered quleklyi
u How IA Won mean air ~
al mean that you arc ttartin' al wrong your re.
dlolus notions about Independence and beli.cultnf
won't como 70 nothln In the long run, and yOu'll
make a. bad failure Of your life s your mother did
Of hor'n."
Please don't eAy that 10 met can't bear II; for
shall never think her life failure, because she
tried to help herself and married COED man In
fplie Of poverty when she loved him You call
that folly; but I'll do the same II ! can't aud I'd
rather have what my fther and mother len me, than
all the money you arc pling mp Just for tho pleasure
Of being richer than your neighbots,"
"Nevor mind. dear, he don't mean no harm
whispered Aunt BetAey, fearing q storm.
hut though Christe's eyes had kindlcd and her
color dorpGnod. her voice was low and steady, and
her Indignation was Of the Inward soft.
"unele likes N Try me by saying such things, and
this i ono reason why want 70 go away before ]
&c, sharp aud bitter and dlatruhtfl "a no H. don't
suppose can mike you understand my feeling, but
I'D like 10 try, and then I'll never speak Of II againi"
and carefully controlling voice and face, Christie
hl1wly added, with look that would have been pa
thitieally eloquent 10 one who could have under,
stood the instincts Of strong nature for light aud
freedom. "YOu ayl am dlscontentedi proud aud
AnbtlOuAi that's true, and I'm glad Of II, ] AIN
hsCpntonted, because cant help feeling that there
Ia better sort Of life than lhla dull one made up Of
everlasting work, with no object but money. can't
siirVo my soul idr. tho Sake Of my body and mean
TO get out Of the trealmlll 4 can. I'm proud, ~
you call II, because hAto dependence Whers there
Int any love 10 make Il btarabl& You don't lay 90