Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-07-31

There was nothing encouraging in
the tone. but Mrs. Blossom was one of
those who never waited for encourage
ment to make themselves genial and
entertaining to the best of her ability,
and she went on in her costly conf
dental fashion:
ale came home from the army just
after von went away, but he didn't
stay here long. lie had an uncle or
seme one in the grain business out
West. who took him into company
with him, and they say he is doing
wcll-at any rate, he sent a generous
| contribution towards the soldiers
monument here, and | heard the other
! day-oh. Herbert" as that reverend
| gentleman entered. "Who do you
! think we have here? Our old school
mate, Esther Brandt"
Esther's sad face frightened ut the
hearty greeting that followed, and
! leaving the two to the interchange of
/ pleasant "reminiscences, the thoughtful
housewife slipped from the room. In
tent upon certain hospitable arrange
mcnts for her guests comfort.
Dear GIRL" she remarked sympa-
thetically, as sue opened her last jar of
strawberry preserves-'thcse straw
berries have lasted wonderfully-here
it is the last of May and VIC shall have
/ fresh ones in a few weeks-I must keep
her with me long enough TO get that
! tired look Off her face. To think"
dainty Encouragement of the golden
| blocks of sponge cake upon the plate
/ before her, THAT the old Squire when
everybody thought him so rich should
die pennilcss, and leave his only child
| homeless and alone in this cold world.
II 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-Teas $
ready, my dear-come, Esther, and try
4 cup OF my best tea. You don't know
what a famous housckeeper l have
/ blossomed into"
And laughing merrily at her own
wit, the cheery little housewife led
the way TO the dining room, stopping
moment on the way, 10 take peep
into the nursery, where baby girl,
with her mothers bright curls and
dimpled checks, lay in rosy uncon-
sciousness in her cradle nest.
Fast asleep, was the whispered
report, and the three sat down TO the
pleasant tea table in an atmosphere Of
/ quiet satisfaction. in which one Of their
number had been for long time a
stranger.
That was a very early sunbeam that
crept through the snowy folds Of Mrs.
Blossoms best chamber curtains light
ing up Is with golden haze, every
corner OF the room where Esther
Brandt had been sleeping away the
fatigue of her journey, the fatigue Of
wears. she almost believed, as in that
state of delicious restfulness that fol-
lows good nights rest, she lay with
her tired hand idly folded upon the
white counterpane, breathing in sweet
draughts of the pure morning air that
crept through the half opened window
/ and listening with half closed eyes to
the song of a robin in the locust tree
outside, while too blessed in the pres
+ ent 10 dread the future, she turned with
/ the half-pitving, half-curious interest
/ of stranger, the seldom reviewed
/ pages of her own life history, lingering
with thrill of tender delight over the
earlier days Of childhood, the maiden ;
/ scarce graver life, with It's round ~
/ pleasant, simple home duties and
/ pleasures, and its half-understood, =,
half acknowledged inner life radiant
with the promise of loves rosy dawn
ing, a promise worldless, and rs time
had proved, delusive and vain as
why, Willie Emory Blossom !"
called her hostess warning voice be-
meath the window, you naughty child !.
Didn't you know that this is Decora-
ton Day, and | must have every one
of these valley lilies and daffys 10 make
wreaths of for the poor soldiers
graves"
The worn look came back to the
listeners face as she sadly repeated,
half unconsciously the words that had
summoned her to this saddest of
jubllees;
And We shall return, every one,
unto his possession, and We shall re-
turn every one, into his family"
MY possession is a lot in the bury
ing ground, and my family are its
tenants" and she glanced inyoluntari-
ly towards the window, where a spray
of sweet scented locust blooms had
crept in beneath the sash. IL wonder
if the locust tree that l planted at the
head of poor papa's grave is alive yet, "
and as if moved by some sudden i'm
pulse, she arose and began hurriedly
dressing.
sit is early yet" she thought, as
she braided the thick, dark tresses, her
girlhood's pride, land l can go all
through the woods without meeting
any one.
In the hall below she encountered
the active little mistress of the estab-
lishment. armed with broom and brush,
her cheeks all aglow with exercise and
the fresh morning air, and not the
least abashed at being caught in her
early working costume which was, TO
say the least, decidedly picturesque.
"Where are you going so early
she asked at sight of Esther's hat and
shawl. "You won't find anybody up,
I'm afraid"
I'm only going TO take walk up
to the 'Beeches.' l long for look a,
the dear old place, once more, and
know where to find plenty of wild
flowers for the decoration ceremonies
to-day"
Mrs. Blossom nodded appreciatively
She we'll understood the feeling thai
made Esther Brandt long for sigh
of her childhood's home, and ramblt
through the fair domain that SHOULD