Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-09-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Peterson's Magasine.l
THE SECRET PANE |.


Ihad been darning stockings all the morning
far those four great, rompng, precious boys,un
iii NV head ached violently, and my heart beat
,srv impatiently. had hoped to secure time,
,or at least fifteen minutes practice on Beetho-
ysp'a lovely " Moonlight Sonata, that morning,
and now the hands OF the little bronze clock
uouted to two o'clock, the children were just
home from school, and the last hole just atticed
over M music for me that day My assistance
ronid he urgently needed in the afternoon with
aeaons and other mending, and must forget
nv desires for reading and practising. Oh, dear
DON'T think, gentle reader, that was an impa-
liant onerulous mother repining at those legiti-
nate dnties. which every maternal heart loves to
nerform was only an aunt, Just nineteen,
with the cares and responsibilities Of a woman
of thirty When sister Bessie died, her husband
wonld allow none but myself TO act as her sub
stltute. | understood the children, and dear
Pessie's disciplinary methods, he said, better
than any of his family. SO, young AZ l was,
rheerfully undertook the charge, simply because
loved Bessie 80 much.
Father and mother died when l was quite
Young, leaving me to Bessies faithful keeping.
So when God took her, was left alone, indeed.
in this strange world. And at the time of Bes-
sie's death lost one whom had thought to
call nv best earthly friend always. Philip Car
rington and l had grown up together with that
macmillan love which, commencing at infancy,
might saw, grows and strengthens with the years
mil il has twined itself 80 tightly around the
natures OF its victims, that to root 1t out seems
like swapping the tendrils of the heart. The
histories Of our lives were singulary similar.
wlth,this one exception, that while his father,
rich banker left hs family abundantly provided
for mine, poor minister left scarcely enough
to clothe me. Mr.. Darlington died when Philip
was only a year old, leaving six children and
yerv delicate wife who survived him only year.
A maiden sister of Mfr. Carrington then
undertook the charge OF his family,
bringing tue children up wretchedly,
and spelling them all but Philip, who was too
noble to be influenced by her proud, mercenary
IDEAS As father had labored very assiduously
IN seasons of ailiction in the Darlington family,
doing all in his power to relieve and help them
when they were too sorrowful to think for them
selves, Mrs. Esther, the aristocratic spinster,
deemed it her Christian duty to call upon us
once year. She would sail in upon us with
majestic dignity, talk to us as though we were
servants and advise us with startling authority.
Her visits lasted happily for US, abont ten min
utes, when, realizing the exceeding greatness OF
her modest charity, she would rise Internationally
hand a fve-dollar bill to me- as 'little PIN
money poor dear, don't speak of 1t to the church
people" and leave. Even after "rich George
Thnrston' married Bessie, she continued her
annual call and donation. much to my humilia-
ton and disgust. She would allow none Of the
girls to visit us ''children Of poor minisetrs, my
dears are unsuitable companions for David Car
ringtons daughters" she used TO say but after
Bessie became Mrs. Thurston, abe 30 far forgot
our degradation as to permit their calling upon
us occasionally With Philip she could do moth
ing So, finally Diminishing him from her
thoughts, as democratic and ungrateful," she
never mentioned our name, except in scorn.
What a deporable crime this poverty liz !!
Philip loved Bessie dearly, and often, laughing
~, told George 1t was nothing but his, Georges
age, which secured her for him, for Bessie was
ten years older than Philip, and she had been an
invalid for two or three years, but WAS seriously
sick only two weeks. Every day Philips card
was sent up with choice fruit, exquisite flowers,
and refreshing delicacies of all descriptions.
Dear sister, knew from the first she was get
ting ready for the "New Jerusalem" and yet no
one else could see the CANCELS wings" George
no completely blinded by the physicians word sof
comfort, confidently expected that she would be
well in week or two But Bessie and knew.
And she was ''only waiting till the angels opened
wide the mystic gate.
But how mysteriously Philip and were sepa-
rated. So it lie, our joys and soIrows come to us
in lightning flashes stunning us 30 suddenly
that it seems, when we arouse ourselves, like Il
wonderful dream. She, sister, died on the 9th
Of November, Philips twenty-lirst birthday an
Oscasion anticipated with much expectation by
him, as giving him possession of his handsome
property, and his liberty. Only month ago
Bessie and had hoped to assist merrily at this
SO'Ne sAfiNs
still.
At such times no human sympathy, not even
the dearest, can give us consolation. 1t is only
in the Word Of God that we can find comfort.
was sitting, with the big. old-fashioned Bible i'll
my lap, reading the fifteenth chapter Of Corin-
thians, and repeating to myself, again and again
the glorious PROMISES "for the dead shall be
raised "the corruptible shall put ON incorrup-
ton" "the mortal shall put on immortality, u
when hoard, through the open door of ss.y
In of in ha hall Df
was asking Jane, ''if Miss Ruth would see him.
had given orders not to be disturbed, for felt
that could not bear the sight OF strange face
and hardly expected him to call, on that day
at least. But at the sound of his voice, almost
resolved TO change my resolution ; and yet
somehow, / could not let even Philip break in on
that solemn hour. While hesitated heard
the outer-door shut, and the question was decid
I'd for me. BE was gone.
He never came to the house but once afte
that, and then it was to bid us good-by, prepare
tory to starting for Europe. l had just return
ed from Greenwood, about week after Bessei
death, when he was announced. With {
glad, little hutter of my heart wen
down, sadly, but clmly to meet him; Al
entered the parlor little Howard wal
amenting, most clamorOusly, over something
which seemed to distress him exceedingly, ant
upon inquiry, found it was in connection will
Philip " Oh, dear - sobbed HOWE, Mr.. Car
rington's going away to "Rope," and love him
and everybody Oh dear -
With tailoring and astonished voice ! turned
Philip for his explanation. With stiangel
dignfed demeanor, he answered eyasively
Howard is excited and makes great deal o
nothing Amt you going :" shouted How
ard, from behind the door, where he had hiddei
to conceal his tears. Anxiousy waited his re
ply, looking steadily at him. " Yes, l sail o.
Wednesday, Miss Ruth. Won't you give m
your blessing, and as many commissions as ca
conveniently execute in three years.
almost tainted, l was 30 overcome with at
toniahment and sorrow. Was this my old Philip
We were certainly not engaged, but still We ha
loved each other before Bessie died. Happily
my pride came to my assistance, and answere
haughtily, g Thank you. l can purchase whit
need here"
With a few affectionate farewell words to til
children he rose, and taking my hand in his, sal
Take care of yourself Ruth when you need
friend think Of me. Good-by and God bless 20
all and hastily kissing little three-year-ol
Ruth, he was gone.
When the front-door closed flew to my room
where only God knows how l suffered.
But, how my tide of recolections have drifte
me away from that unhappy Wednesday, and n
stocking darning We were just seated at dinn'
|, with dsheveled hair and morning-dress, for
was showing hard and had expected no visitor
when Mabel Carringtons little coupe drove III
and she with her sister Edith, alighted. For
moment felt wickedly rebellious, and wished
was fashionable and rich; but soon forgot thei
Inconsistent emotions in my desire to touch i
my appearance before they should enter. But
little reflection induced me to conclude that
would see them in my housewife garb. The
both ruahpd Mt m with aurb vqhamauca and a