The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1874-10-22
MRS. MARGARET'S HOB.
BY.

1t is good for the young heart when
it finds one whom it can love and rev.
erence with single and unfeigned
trust better still, when q great and
living kindness establishes bond Of
obligation which the favored one may
acknowledge by the continually out.
spoken gratitude, of daily service,
Mrs. Margaret Wood, an excellent
spinster past the prime of her age,
had acquired her matronly title-not
often bestowed upon single ladies in
this country-by the dignity of her
character and circumstances, and by
the praiseworthy and protective be-
nevolencezofjher disposition. I have
known her many years, at first by OBJ
servation, when she was to me like
the bright star far away in the cool
depths Of evening afterward I was
permitted to approach her blessing
and comfort, as men draw closer to
the cheerful and beneficial fire upon
the hearthstone when the night is
dark and the weather is chill. And
thus it was:
After months Of painful watching
and much sorrow my mother and I
were left alone in the great world
weary vastness it seemed
My mother had a pretty talent for
fancy-work; I was we'll instructed
and tolerably skilled in music; and
we thought that with our little prop
erty and our pleasant industry we
could do we'll in the city. It was. the
old story, illustrated too often by iv-
ing examples to need repeating. Our
to, secure valuable patronage; we lost
opportunities Of helping ourselves
through timidity and lack Of enter
prise, and we suffered on in daily
bondage of spirit to the increased ex-
penses of living, while. our tedious
waiting grew into fearful, hopeless
waiting, and a sick despair crushed
my dear mother down into the
very grave.
Just opposite our tenement, that
was small but respectable-my moth
er said two lone women should have
due regard to appearances-was .
large and handsome establishment
which, to begin with, filled our pros
pect and, as we grew acquainted
with the various indications Of its do
mestic arrangements, insensibly gain.
ed much of our attention.
We learned in time about it's inhab-
itants, as interested observers will. !
hope we we're not blamably curious
it certainly. did US a great deal Of
good to think of something besides
ourselves. So we waited with a child,
like pleasure every day for the hour
when Mrs. Margaret appeared for q
walk or drive, and we thought il
specially fortunate if she stopped OIL
the pavement to speak with passer
by, or went out upon . terrace wher'
few plants tried to grow in the COO
shade-it was bitter to think that hu
man beings werestruggling in the SAM
way-for then Mrs. Margaret woul<
always glance up at our windows, jus
as if her poor, pale blossoms remind
ed her of our existence.
My mother had not been able tt
sit by the window for many weeks
and, as my place had been at her bed
t side during that period, we had ceas
ed to see and almost to think of MIR
| Margaret, and it was for q moment q
if . stranger had entered when sh
suddenly made her appearance in ou
parlor one day. She had heard W
| were sick, and therefore came. Sh
asked me q few questions, nodded lit
tie sharp answers, and from that tim
| seemed to understand US a. well -as i
| she had known us = from childhood
To be sure a few general facts ver
enough, for we were plain, simpl
persons, and easily compreheuded
Her continued friendship was tn
day-spring Of consolation alike "
needed it, the living and the dying.
It was all over, the suffering of th
dear departed one, the first agony {
sorrow, the visits of the undertake.
the bustling services of attendant
the funeral and I sat alone in th
forsaken parlor, compelling my mine
so tossed and smitten, to some pract
| cal consideration of the future. NJ
bills paid, and I had but ten dollar
scanty wardrobe, and the world b
fore me, yet nothing in it I migl
choose. In dismay I uttered SON
wrong and bitter words, and ",
shocked that they had reached /. Il
;. ears of:Mrs. Margaret, who, stood vi
! expectedly beside me.
She spoke kindly. My dear lit
Z. Lettice, you must not think of dyi1
:, now, for I have set my heart on ha
ing you live with me. I never envi'
!. any body but the narents of on