Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-10-08

of al profess,ons. that Of editorsh;p Is the
most difficult and the most shankless =
Still. It has its bright spots. its pleasant
"reminiscences.
One bitter cold morning. q few days
before Christmas. 10 the, year -, I sat
- usual as my desk. Among the heap
OF manuscript Was one. written on the
scftest cresm-laid French white paper.
written in childish lsdy's haud. on lines
which had been carefully erased after
wsrds. Il was little story. Of no great
liscra.y merit but :herS vas an aroma Of
youth and Of sweetness in every line
There was promise in il; Il was like the
light IN the sky before the sun has risen
on hne day-an omen, porteut Of sun-
shine and warmth, but no more. | put
it down as If had touched the petal Of
rose. There was tiny scented note be-
side it-of course full Of italics:
-SrRgET, PHLA Dec, 1856.
DEAR Ma. EDrroR : send you little story.
am only sixteen, and papa and mamma do
not know anything about II, but please tel me
If It be worth anything. ranf Il to be prin-
ted; rant to be paid for il. II is not for nv
self, though, but want the money to give nv
dear little brother a nice little birthday pres.
ent. am, dear Mr.. Editor, yours, &c.
EMlLY-."
Then came the address and the sigma
ture. The writing Of the note was less
neat and regular than the manuscript
But there was the same fragrance Of dsin-
ty youth about it.
1t was with no common feelings of in
terest that sat down and wrote my an
swer to the note / returned the manu.
script. but wrote gently aud tenderly.
| gave it as my hope aud my opinion that.
With q little more care and study, the
youthful writer would achieve . success.
| even promised to print that Identical
manuscript if it were a little revised aud
corrected. and I pointed out how it nigh.
be made available. I posted my letter
and the manuscript to the address named.
and went home. wondering If ever
should hear from the writer again. With
that. however. all thoughts of the manu-
script passed away. The author was too
timid to reply.
On Christmas eve I was asked as usual
to dine with an old friend of mine. He
was married man. With pleasant, come
ly wife, and several small children, male
aud female.
TN children are not coming down to
dinner" said my hostess. "sor they are
going to give us a surprise afterwards"
| bowed. and was delighted. both at
the anticipation Of pleasure to come and
of privation for the irst time Of consider
able present annoyance. I need not say
l was then bachelor. When we went
up stairs after dinner We found the fold
ing doors which divided the front from
the back room closed.
They we're opened after a while. Tho
evening hymn was sung aud Christmas
tree Of the most brilliant splendor was re-
vcaled; on its branc hes we're hung gifts.
worked and embroidered BY the children.
for their parents and for the friends of
their parents. The three little girls and
their governess had done it all.
While my friend and his wife were en-
bracing and thanking the children. 1 had
time to notice the governess. She was
very young. almost . child herself. A
mass Of bright hair was gathered up in
great waves at each side Of her head. and
fastened in loose. thick loop behind
The bright curls were so arranged as to
reveal the ear. Need I say more Of their
ravishing loveliness But the pretty blue
eyes looked as If they had cried good
deal; and there had been recent tears. for
| the cyelids were somewhat swollen. She
was no. sad q. present. however. for she
played on the piano for the children and
for me. their old godfather. to dance to.
and she joined with US il game of blind
mans buff. When the children retired
she retired also.
"What q charming person." | said.
"She is most excellent" said my friend
Although she is so young. Miss is
the bread provider Of her family. Her
father and mother have, according TO the
phrase. seen better days; in fact, they are
people Of good birth. and once had good
fortune. They have son and daughter;
the son is 6ne fellow also. Both the
son and daughter give the greater part of
their earnings to their parents; but the
son has not been very fortunate. Ny lit
tie governcss-she is only seventeen
does more with her salary, small as it is.
than her brother can do with his hard
work. He is clerk in bank"
land she helps him also. I suppose ?"
Il dare say she does. but have never
inquired. for she is full of rclicence and
reserve on those points. only know she
would sit up all night. and work like
horse all day. to help both her parents
and her brother. She is going home to-
morrow; bu, he, | fear, canno: afford the
expense Of the Journey"
Gould We not help him 7" | said. bash
fully. Ny friend smiled. Beth brother and
sister spent Christmas at home.
Ny good fortune threw me good deal
after this with my friends governess-
Mus, I say tha. from that Christmas eve
was never heart-whnle. The following
Easter we we're engaged. and before the
following Christmas eve which followed
We were married. What an aim aud Q
hope my life had now acquired!
! We have little suburban house. an6
leave my wife every morning to pursue
my editorial labors, and return every
evening. forgetting nj work and my wor-
ries. knosing that the sweetest heart and
the fairsss face have ever kncsn await
ne in my modest but hsppy nome.
have never heard sgain from the aushor
Of the manuscript which had 50 much in