Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-03-22
anv marriage BE between her nd


their lonely lives together. Poor,
having an income so slender that it
seemed an impossibility to exist
upon it; proud, having the dignity
Of an ancient name TO sustain, the
sisters had dwelt together in the old
family home, dccorOus of life, prac-
ticing their terribly exact econO-
mics with due regard to outward
decency Of appearance, and seeing
the mOnotonous years go by bring
ing to them no change and no hope,
always with this unspoken secret
darkening their past and their fu-
ture.
The long silence was broken at
last, a voice had come to them from
the grave of their fair young sister,
telling-how her life had been partial
lv redeemed and her aarly sins expi-
ated by long years of suffering.
No wonder the placidity of eXis-
tence was rudely disturbed for the
two sisters. At first their CONVEX
sation was but disjsintOd and agi-
tated; but at last it assumed def
mite shape. The young Gertrude
was already in New FORK awaiting
her aunts' decision. Should they
receive her?
at is so shamesui!' pleaded Miss
Polly. GAN the old story will be
revived again. 1t is terrible to
think Of"
"But, Polly, Gertrude was mar
ried."
married! yes but not till after
she had gone away with him, and
was 3 mother! o Hepzibah, it is
very hard P
'.But this little girl is only ten
years old-all the rest are dead
Polly, 1 think we ought to take
her"
Miss Polly looked at her sister,
her worn face growing more anx-
ious as she asked, "HepZibah, how
can we afford it? She brings moth
ing with her''-her voice sinking to
a sepulchral whisper, for the subject
of money was one always held to be
a solemn one. "Why, Hepzibah, |
don't see how we can bring her up J"
Miss HepZibah looked troubled.
"God will help u.s." she said rever-
emily. ''Hs will care for us as well
as tor the sparrows. Polly, think
we ought to let her come"
So il was decided. Miss Hepzi-
bah wrote back to say, in stiff,
old-fashioned phrases, that she and
her sister would receive the child;
and in another week little Gertrude
Knox stood trembling on her aunts'
doer-steps.
Her welcome was q cordial one,
for as the two old ladies came ont
to meet her the years seemed to
have rolled away, and their fair
haired little sister to be back with
them, not in her blooming, reckless
youth, but in her sweet, innocent
childhood.
This was timid little creature,
and the mother instincts, not yet
extinct in Miss Hepzibah's heart,
went out warmly towards her. Miss
Polly looked upon her as the incar-
nation of her mothers folly, and
vet even she acknowledged that
there was something pleasing in
this bright young presence, though
both the sisters were somewhat ap-
palled when tea time came and they
noticed the inroads the little strang-
er made on their slender provisions.
Three slices of bread vanished in a
trice, and the bowl of milk they had
thought would serve for supper and
breakfast both, were all gone at one
meal.
a week went by, and Gertrude
had gained foothold on the affec-
tions of both her aunts, and had
made a terrible onslaught on their
resources in money. The two sis
ters were talking over their troubles
in q low tone one afternoon, while
the young girl wandered about
among the flowers.
ga loaf of bread every day since
she came here I" said Miss Polly.
"Why, two a week used to serve us,
large as usual !'''
II know it, Polly. I don't know
what we can do"
At this moment the little cause of
trouble appeared in the open door
way. Her straw hat had fallen of,
her fair, pretty hair hung about her
face, and she held a quantity of
bright flowers in her apron. A
great ray of sunlight came in after
her, and the bees buZzing about
seemed to think they had by no
means lost their right to the pretty
blossoms.
"Aunt Polly, how many bees you
do have? ?" said little Gertrude.
eyes, child, they are very trouble
some," with a sigh.
'I think the king of bees lives
here, and all his people come to see
him. See, they won't 60 away at
| all, ;" as she brushed away an intru-
siva black buZZer
"Take care, Gertrude, they will
sting youw exclaimed Miss Hepzi-
bah.
40 no, they won't! 1 amt afraid
of them. 1 know where they all
live, too"
''Livel What do you mean they
come from the woods and the neigh
bors."
40, no, they don't ," opening her
ewes in astonishment why, don't
you know that they all live here, in
your house?"
FWhat nonsense, child" cried
Miss Polly.
80, 1 knew they do have seen
them. Come out here and 1 viii
show you"
Wondering, and yet willing to
humor the child, Miss Hepzibah
took Gertrude's hand and went out
into the porch. The child pointed
up in triumph. "There don't you
see how the bees are flying in and
out of those holes just under the
roof? That is one of the ways they
get into the house, and there are
| ever so many more Of their doors
above, on top of the roof, and o,
Aunt HePzibah, there's honey in
| there! l have seen it; lots OF
honey Couldn't we get some out
it would be so nice for tea!'
Miss Hepzibah stared up, shading
| her eyes with her hand. AS little
| Gertrude said, bees in myriads were
fying in and out under the heavy
moulding of the old roof. Was il
true, and did the bees really live in
the house? At this moment John
Wilson, who had made friends with
the little stranger, came down the
street, and was called in.
"John, do you really think the
bees live in the roof, as Gertrude
says ?"
The young lad looked up with
clear, bright eyes.
''It seems very much like it," he
said. ''But it's easily found out"
And suiting action to word, in
another moment, despite Miss Hep
zibah's remonstranee, he was swing
ing himself up by the pillar to the
roof.
az should think they did live
here :" he cried out presently
'Why, there are ever so many holes
where they are going in and out oi
the house p' Then. after a moment