South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-12-17
Romney Hampshire County, West Va, December IT, 1875

death, she had been the mistress Of his
household.
This had given her some experience,
and she naturally possessed n good share
OF domestic talent, so that their little es.
Establishment was well conducted. Ono
stout German girl was hired TO do the
rougher work. and the rest Nettie took
upon herself.
The money she had saved furnished
the house simply and prettily, and Hair.
I ~ added few pretty articles as pre-.
scnts TO her.
From the wreck of her fathers fortune
she had kept back two or three choice
pictures aud her piano. Not having
room for these at her boarding-house,
| they had been stored away in packing
boxes in furniture house. They were
now brought forth; Nettie's piano was
newly tuned, and pronounced good as
ever. when il filed their neat little par.
Tor with sivery sounds, under the magic
of her fingers.
SO, very happily. sped the first two
years of their welded life. Only two
clouds dimmed their sky. One, the
| lightest OF these, was the senior Mrs.
Markham's continued displeasure a I'd es.
arrangement. Very soon after their IN ar.
rage, Harry enclosed their wedding.
cards in q warm, hearty letter, inviting
his mother TO visit them. To this letter
no answer was ever returned. and be.
yond now and then sending her a city
paper, Harry attempted no farther com
munication with his mother.
A heavier sorrow than this was the
loss of the little babe which opened its
eyes for two months during the second
year of their marriage. and then flew n
way to Heaven. Bat they had each 9th
or left, and so they bore up bravely and
checrfully.
Meantime, on her fine old farm down
IN Bucks county, old Mother Markham
lived alone. except for her serving.maids
and men, mourning for her boy Now
and then, through her city friends she
hear of them, but they wrote to her di
rectly no more. When the news of the
birth and death Of their babe, her frs,
grandson, reached her, the proud old
!ady's heart yearned to 90 to them, bu,
| she would not.
IL dare say it was that flimsy city girls
! ignorance and acknowledgement caused
ITS DEATH she said, thus hardening her
heart.
So another winter found her still n
lone in the fine oil Markham homestead
! The winter set in severe and bitter. with
Il financial pressure which involved very
many in ruin. Mother Markham with
abundant means nj her command, won
dered how 1t was with her boy and his
wife.
One day, dining at q neighbours, she
heard startling news. The house where
Harry had been SO long, had failed. even
TO complete ruin. and he was thrown on,
OF work or means Of support. And We
ry soon after, while searching for EN-
I ployment, he met with severe fall in
The Icy street, and was taken home with
Il broken leg. The gentleman who told
her did not know how they were getting
along since then, but rs everybody il
| Philadelphia felt the hard times moro
or less. no doubt they had some hard
/ pinchcS to go through. Mother Mark
ham carried home very heavy heart
! and lay long awake that night. IIei
hoy, her only boy. was sick, suffering,
maybe in want. with nobody to care for
him but "himsy city girl" That
thought was the wcghtiest onc-hai
she iancied him in good hands, she would
still have held out.
Maybe she will let him die. as she did
the poor baby groaned the proud oil
woman, rs she tossed restlessly on lei
bed. And by morning she had given M
the contest, and resolved to 90 to hei
boy.
With a vague IDEA that she would find
! Harry destitute of the common necessa
ries OF life, her first thought was TO take
4 box OF groceries and belclothing. hut
sober second thought advised her 10 first
/ 90 AMI see, aid il such things were
/ needed. money would procure them in
/ Philadelphia. Accordingly, she sup
piled herself amply with that. and care
fully putting in her purse the address
street and number. which lIarry's last
letter hal given her. she was ready.
Perhaps they don't live there now"
sail she. but maybe can find ont where
they do live, anyhow"
Leaving minute Instructions to her
trusty servants she took the first train
in the morning, and was IN PHILADELPHIA
- ''NEtt - ttDEk. one Iltli travelled
quito enough TO have her wits about hcr
AMI not 10 be disturbed by the noise &
hustle of the city depot and the streets
Taking carnage she directed the d-i
yer TO the street and number in Harry's
address. which was modest looking lit
tic brick house. with the inevitable whit,
window. blinds, in which Philadelphia de
lights. Bidding the driver 10 wait unit
she was sure it was the right place. sh,
assembled the steps and rang tie BELL
\ trim little figure. in a neat calico dres.
and bingham bib apron opened the door
rs this where Harry Markham lives?'
she asked.
Yes" replied tic lady inside, plea
sanity.
Are you his wife," questioned th,
mother.
IL am ond ne the lady caught sigh
Of tho carriage and the little trunk strap