The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-02-06

10 IoVe Shls- feuOlSn-halred Slrl| 1eOpie
congratulated me. 80! yes, l WIS very
much pleased, not losing son at all-O
no--only gaining another daughterr' ODE !
lightfu!, certainly; and early marriages are,
as you say, so very desiral le."
A year afterward they were married, and
remained some months with her family,
during which time 1 saw her often, and
cannot say that I ever had any fault to
find with her. Then James sought and
obtained very good position in a town
distant about one hundred miles AT first
the news was very satisfactory. ''Charm-
ing little house, the perfection of servapts;"
and then, later, ''the loveliest little baby"
my gracious. Then some months later,
things were not quite SO bright. The baby
had had the Group, my son himself touch
of the unremittant fever, servants were
great plaques, housekeeping a dreadful
trouble. Disturbed beyond measure at the
reiteTation of these lamentations, / deci-
ded to go and see for myself how they
were ciTcumstanced, and be of what assist
ance | might for short time. So one
winter morning, leaving Fanny with an in
all it contained to the care of one servant
left her alone. Arriving after dark at
my destination, l found the Cwo young SER
wants enjoying very comfortable meal in
the kitchen, and the baby asleep alone in
chilly nursery. My son and his wife
were out spending the evening with some
friends. Their surprise and pleasure at
seeing me upon their return home appeared
great. Upon conversing with Maria the
next day, [ found her to be very ignorant
as regarded baby requirements. "He does
cry so 6readfully,' she said.
l stayed there whole month perhaps
it was too long, but there always seemed
to be something for me to do. l took
charge Of the little creature whenever his
mother wanted to spend an evening in
company, which was not seldom. Many
and many lonely hodr did I spend in that
dimly lighted room, listening to that low
! breathing, rather then trust him to the
awkwardness of the youEg girl who pro-
! fessed to fulfil the duties of a child nurse.
did great deal of sewing for Maria, of
whom | became fonder than | had ever ex-
pected to be.
James had a relapse of his intermittent
fever. His wife knew nothing about sick
ness I nursed him-I who had never
known fatigue when he had needed any
thing in former years, would surely not
fail him now. 1 sat up with him night
after night, and showed the cook how to
prepare nice little dishes for him, such as
l knew he Hked-that is to say, prepared
them while the cook looked on. Whatev-
er was wanted now, up stairs or down,
was the one to plan and to do. At last
began to think l ought to return to Fanny;
and seeing James fairly convalescent,
sought the train for my journey homeward.
Sitting i'll the railroad car, party Of young
people took places in front of me, laugh
ing and talking with eager animation,
principally about persons l knew nothing
of, except by name. Presently one of
them began to talk of my sons wife.
81 used to see great deal of them at
one time,'' she said, ''but-''
"But what ?' asked another.
"Well, they had mother-in-law raging
around lately, so l have kept away
$50 have -
Here followed laugh of derision.
"a mother-in-law - exclaimed another
''That is hard 1 do pity them, indeed. ;"
''But hear she is off now."
''Glad to hear it. Have you heard The
new opera -
/ was the mother-in-law on whose ac-
count friends kept away. I remembered
the weary nights i'll that sick room the
weary days, when, suffering from the loss
of sleep, l struggled to keep my eyes open,
that l might attend to various little house
hold duties. Which of all this was the
'.raging around,' which excited the risible
muscles of those lively young people? l
5 thought of Fanny, her good looks, her in
, telligence, her affectionate nature, and
found myself wondering what her nature
t was to be. But here we are. There she
l was waiting to meet me, dear child but
f there was some one with her, a most insig-
S nificant looking individual, with very
, prominent eyes and large whiskers. Why
did my heart sink with melancholy fore
1 boding?
/ How glad she was to see me again ! She
introduced her companion to me as Mr.
5 Jenkins and whereas was all anxiety tc
0 be alone with her, Mr.. Jenkins, with a
!, great flourish of politeness, walked all the
h way home with Us. Before l could untie
? the strings of my bonnet he told me thai
f Fanny had promised to marry him
e was thunderstruck, having in the annoy
T ance of his presence forgotten my fore
d bodings of half an hour before.
d had read with much attention, in va
e rious highly lauded books, of the greatant
e imperative duty of bringing up girl to b.
d a hclpmete for noble man. Was thi
my Fanny's noble man-this dapper littl'
= maniken? He seemed amiable, but so ut
d terly Insignificant He had uninterestinI
d parents, and weak, plain sisters, all O