The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-06-13

elderly ladies. of whom Margaret saw but little |
during her visit, though they were kind and
cordial, and always gave her . pleasant vel |
come to their houses.
There was one caller, however, of whom |
Margaret was destined to see q good deal. and |
who deserves . more particular description |
She was a lady who might have been between |
forty and fifty, tho came walking into the house
without ringing, one windy evening, IN rubber |
boots, with which she had been making herself !
q path in tie newly fallen snow. She was tall
and thin, with heavy eyebrows, and rather
masculine bearing aud manners, but very
genial smile beaned on her lips and in her
eyes. Her voice was loud bot cheerful, and
she gave Margaret a warm squeeze of the hand
and a good, steady look iu the eye, that
/ seemed TO show she was disposed for friendli-
! ness.
"well, now, Martha" said Miss Spelman,
| helping her guest off with hood and cloak, and
wheeling up com Portable chair for her to the
! IRE, where have you been all this time' And
how are you and your poor old fathers How
does the house stand this cold winter, and how
are you getting along altogether
The visitor seated herself in the chair, tucked
up her plain brown gown over her knees, and
clasped her rough, strong looking hands, seem
ing TO enjoy the CHEEKY blaze, then she an
swered rather slowly:
I'VE are very we'll of, thank you, Miss Spell
man. Fathers about the same usual; he
misses the garden now the snow has come. The
house is pretty tight, and 1 keep the fires
going with Eorahs help. You know Dr.. James
got Norah for Ms, and q more willing, good
natured creature 1 never wish to see. She
really seems to have brought sunshine in
the house, and says, May the Queen of heaven
send you good health, sir" and, May the
blessed saints look out for you, Miss Martha!
quite in the old-country fashion"
well, long may she prove q treasure, that's
ALL" and the old lady shook her head doubt
fully.
you've come to a pretty place, Miss Lester"
said Martha Burney; sits pretty enough now,
with its fresh white dress of snow; but 1 don't
know what you'll say to it when the young
green comes out, and the birds begin to sing.
, But what do you find to do with yourself"
"Nothing very useful yet have given my
attention principally to coasti g 4; have got
. new sled, and have found some charming
coasts about here. l 60 out before breakfast"
=" Bless me! how many ages is it. wonder,
since did that :" cried Miss Barney. Then
: you do not keep late hours in the morningf"
81 did at first, through force of habit; but
T now have an alarm-clock, and try getting up
at six, and dressing without a fire."
u VERY we'll, very we'll indeed, for New
q Yorker! All see you will do for the country.
, Yen must never go away, but make up your
= :. mind to settle down here"
v "That's what mean to have her do" said
" Miss Spelnian; 4" and Margaret said she would
" consider the subject"
foil thau
she enveloped herself in cloak and hood, and
shaking Margaret once more by the hand tool
at her departure.
10 who is she, auntf think she must be
:; character, and mean to cultivate her acquaint
~ ance."
ne "Yes. she has a story. Her fAther-lamb
o. indeed!" cried Miss Spelman, interrupting her
~ self; "that Norah had better call him poe
wolff to be sure he is reaping the fruits of hi
re misdeeds, but he has richly deserved hi
- troubles. Well, he was a swindler that is all
is His poor wife died of the shame hen the big
of gest of his robberes came to light, and b
~ went steadily down-hill, with his brav
70 daughter trying to keep him straight. H
is spent one two poor little legaces she hat
or left her, and at last became the brokeu-dowr
Go Go mbecile old man he is now. When he was to
"a feeble to prevent her, Martha took him out @
ey the great city where he had lived, and the
-, somehow found their way here; and then 81
On went to work aud has supported him ev,
lie, since. She teaches in the pu bic school over
ID, Sealing; she is the head lady teacher now, an
~ = with that, and little she has had left b.
for within few years, she supports herself ar
nd him."
Lne els it not hard life for her ~
iii, every, but she prefers obscurity and tn
to is the best employment she can get here. 81
is fiue woman, Independent and brave, owir
" no one anything and taking care of herself s.
n"' had q lover once, they say" continued Mi
'n' Selma, dropping her voice; "but when it {
INC came to light about her fathers transaction
Oh of course she released him."
'tn' "And he accepted it ~
ere "Why, certainly he did, dear Margaret;
out man would wish to marry a woman with sc
aud q father"
linn, Margaret drummed with her feet on the f.