Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-07-08

| llttle oaoy, my grandson. lheh, souhc
months later. things were not quite SO
bright. The baby had had the Group my
sou himself touch OF the inlermitten {
fever. servants were great plaques. house
keeping a dreadful trouble. Disturbed
beyond measure at the reiteration OF
these lamentations. decided To 20 and
see for myself how they Were ciroum
stanced, and be of what assistance |
might Tor short time. So one winter
morning, leaving Fanny with an intimate
friend, and intrustinS my house aud nil it
contained TO the care of one servant, |
len home alone. Arriving after dark at
my destination, found the two youna
servants enjoying very comfortable
meal in the kitchen. My son aud his
wife were out spending the evening with
some friends. Their surprise and pleas
ure At seeing me upon their return home
appeared great. Upon conversins with
Maria the next day, l found her 10 be
very ignorant rs regarded baby'S require
ments. ale does cry SO dreadtully,"
she said staid there whole month; ;
perhaps il was too long. but there always
seemed TO be something for me to do. !
took charge of the little creature when
ever his mother wanted 10 spend an even
ing in company. which was not seldom.
Many and many a lonely hour did spend
in that dimly lighted room. listening TO
that low breathing rather than trust him
70 the awkwardness OF the young girl
who prsfessed To fulfill the duties OF
child's nurse. / did a great deal OF sew
ing Tor Maria. of whom become fonder
than had ever expected TO be.
james had a relapse of Intermittent
fever His wife knew nothing about
sickness; nursed him--I who had never
known fatigue when he needed anything
in former years. would not fail him now.
I sat up with him night after night, and
showed the cook how to prepare nice
little dishes for him, such as ! knew he
liksd-ihat is to say prepared them
while the cook looked on. Whatever
was wanted now, up stairs or down, |
WAS the one to plan and to do. Al last |
began 20 think nught to return to Fan
ny; and seeing James fairly GONZALES
cent. sought the train for my journey
homswards. Sitting in the railroad car.
a party of young people took places in
front of me, laughing and talking with
eager animation, principally about per-
sons knew nothing OF, except by name,
Presently one of them began to tails OF
my sons wife.
Il used to see Il great deal OF them at
one time" she said, but"
but what ?" asked another.
90. well, they've had motherin law
raging around lately, so | have kept
away"
$50 have I.r
Here followed laugh OF derson.
"a mother. in.law," exclaimed another
THAT is hard do pity them. indeed -
But hear she is of now"
Glad to hear it. Have you heard the
new opera -
WAS the mother IN law on whose ac
count friends kept away. remembered
the weary nights in that sick.room; the
weary days, when suffering from loss cf
sleep. struggled % keep my eyes open,
that might attend TO various little
household duties; which of all this was
the raging round" which excited the
risible muscles of those lively young
peGplea | thought of Fanny, her good
looks, her intelligence. her aleotionate
nature. and found myself wondering
what her future was to be. but here we
are. There she was waiting 10 meet ME,
dear child; but there was some one with
her, q most insignificant looking individ
nal, with very prominent eyes and large
whisks;s. Why did my heaIt sink with
melancholy foreboding?
How glad she was 10 soc mo again.
She introduced her companion to me as
Mr.. jenkins, aud whereas | was all
anxiety to be alone with her, Mr.. jenkins
| with great flourish Of politeness, walk
ed all the way home with US. Before |
could unite the strings of my bonnet he
told Inc that Fanny had promised to
marry him l was thunaer9truck, nav
.ng in lie annoyance OF his presence for
gotten my forebOdings OF an hour before.
/ had read with much attention. in vari-
Gus highly lauded books, of the great
and imperative duty OF bringing up a
girl lo be hclpmeel ior d noble man
this dapper little manikinl He seemed
amiable, but so utterly Insignificant. lie
had uninteresting parents, and weak,
plain sisters. all of whom made a per-
petual amusement of the engagement
My parloy was given up TO them entirely
that is, 10 him and his sisters. | seem
ed always "de trop" when | entered, by
tbe sudden silence which followed the
animated talk. Ny coming was an in
terruption. / began 70 s,t up stairs, |
always walked alone.
Having avoided all society and all ac'
quaintanceship when my children were
young, that I might devote my whole
time 10 them, ( found myself now lrlend'
less and desolato Friends, like plants,
must be cultivated. | found no conSenl-