The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-07-16
THE CHANGE OF TIDE.
BY KATE W. HAMILTON.

Narion's long life. Ease, luxury, adula-
ton" taking no thought, y like the lilies,
yet being mere gorgeously arrayed and
far more useless than they.
g Nothing on earth to DO but enjoy her
SELF said her father, that man OF stocks,
bonds and railroad contracts, looking won
deringly into the unsatisfed gray eyes.
But one can not enjoy ones self unless
that self is something enjoyabl and Ma
rion was not. She was thoroughly weary
of it and its surroundings and it was in
sheer desperation that she had proposed
accompanying her father on enc Of his
business trips across the country. "Just
bit OF nature would he refreshing," she
had said, half petulantly. But the bit
that presented itself in the best parlor OF a
quiet little country tavern was not the
kind she desired and to he left there alone
for three dreary hours while her father
made pilgrimages to his various shrines OF
timber, excavations, and bands of work.
men was intolerable. Six wooden chairs
with yellow roses painted upon them, two
gay birthstone labelled Melinda " and
the other "Henry changing upon the
walls and staring complacently at each
other, small mirror with a bunch of what
the good landlady denominated "sparrer-
grass fastened above it; bright fire, a
not bright carpet, and a round table hold
ing three books-that was all this best
room contained when Marion inventoried
it with slight arching OF her fine brows
and the faintest perceptible curl OF her
lips.
She turned to the books. The first one
proved to be Bible Half unconsciously
her eyes -ested for an instant On single
.erse-" W hose, r.vxlvetE one such little
child in My name receiveth Me-" 1t
meant nothing to her; she closed the vol
ume as too common to be interesting. The
next was a last years almanac, preserved
for it's binding of gilt and muslin and the
last one was the most satisfactory Of all
"a Complete Letter-Writer," containing
minute information as to what to write to
ones son in college, and what the son
would probably reply; also highly stiff
and proper method Of proposing matri-
mony TO a young widow, with an eminently
ediiying epistle which she might indite in
return.
Marion dropped the book a little touch
Of amusement mingled with her disgust
Did people really buy such stuff? And
was the family correspondence carried on
according to these recipes9 What could
life be amid these surroundings when it
was undeniably wearisome at its very best?
She walked away to a window. Outside,
beyond the lonely country road, lay rug
ged wooden hills, beautiful in their man
ties of dark evergreens trimmed with the
ermine Of the snow.
"Better take chair, ma'am. Cheap
seuin' as standin', and comfortable be-
sides,' said voice IN the room. Joe had
come in to attend to the fire.
Marion glanced over her shoulder and
saw only coarse boots, patched gray
clothes, and tumbled tow-head. But
Joe felt himself quite an important per-
sonage just then. Visitors to stop for any
length Of time in that best room were rare,
and to have handsomely dressed lady
there was a surprising event. SENS 81
Teller was keepin' a regular hotel" thu
boy said to himself, ard assuming a mos
hospitable and landlord-like air as h,
hustled shout, stirring the FIRE and addin!
more fuel.
"Don't you want to read, ma'am? Book
on the table free, and no extry charges
We try to 'bleege our customers
Thank you,' said Marion, ~ithou
turning her eyes from the fair woodlan,
picture before her. 1t appeared to 10
that she did not seem entirely at heme an
thoroughly satisfied with her quarters a
he could have wished, and he made ON
more effort-a little hesitatingly, as ieelin
that he was somewhat overstepping h:
authority.
Say, ma'an, faint meal-time, but
,s'pese mebby-ii you'd like a bite
could get you hank of gingerbread. W
like to 'commodate.''
q see you do. I'm not hungry, than
you" laughed Marion; then with sut
den impulsive desire she added: cpd lii
to visit that wood if / were not afraid
losing my way. Is there any one here wi
is thoroughly acquainted with its"
g. Bet !" chuckled Joe laconically, as /
ratified the ashes from the CRATE.
q Is she Your sister, is it?
"Who?'
"Betsey."
Joe rolled over on the floor with q star
ling peal OF laughter. Didn't mes
Betsy, meant bet you there were folks vi
knew he explained; then slowly getti,
upon his feet he marched out of the roo
still giggling. Presently he came bas