The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-04-27

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San Francisco"
"Yes ?"
"Well, why don't you look surprised?'
because | am not surprised
why, has he written to you ?"
"No,"
"He certainly has not been here ?'
"But he has,
"Well, now, that was really treacher.
GUS in him, for we charged him not to
write or to visit you, lest it might call up
old sentiment, and make you unhappy
again"
"He is not boy, to be ordered or bid
den by any one. We have both come to
years Of discreation. or ought to have
done so, for his curls and mine are both
gray now, as you sce."
"What in the world did he think was
to become of father, if you married and
went so far away ?"
''He said you and Emma could take
your turns nursing father, and that a
change would be good for him." replied
Mary, with a smile.
|
hands were more than full and | am
sure change would kill father, and
break your heart, too!'
"And yet it may como 10 that | am
not immortal, Julia but pray heaven
every day that l may outlive him
81 hope you may, dear, for he corld
not live long without you. The friend we
are speaking Of surely did not try to
tempt you away from your duty ?"
"He thought that, in going with him, l
should be doing my duty. He reminded
me that fifteen years ago you all said, if
it were not for mother we should all say
CO. and that | did not say mo for ten
long years. and then another care came
upon me which forced me to say it. He
thought he had waited long enough, and
it was now for you and Emma to make
some sacrifice for dear father, and allow
me little rest and change"
"Why, Mary, how can you speak of
leaving father as rest and change, OF call
the care Of him sacrifice. Remember
what he has always been to you, Molly"
"He has been loving and tender
father to Us all, and | mean God helping
me, 50 to care for him as not to shed one
remorseful tear on his grave" replied
Miss Mary.
That's dear, faithful creature. |
had begun to fear that your friend had
wiled you away from your duty. De.
pend on it, dear, the path of duty is the
path of peace. God rewards those who
walk in the way He marks out for them"
81 firmly believe that"
81 hope you will not allow letters from
San Francisco to come and annoy you p"
mo"
"Well, dear, don't reply in monosylla.
bles. Tell me how matters were left"
"They were left"
"How ?"
Just left that is ALL"
81 suppose old True. Heart promised to
-r";. ALL E.thvI uvaIn, auu tueu come
back and fulfill the dream of fifteen
years?'
81 make no bargains for death to seal
| should feel as if some one was watching
for fathers last breath, and that would
make me wretched while | am struggling
to prolong his ife."
"You didn't want to 60, I'm sure. dear.
When a woman reaches forty without
marrying, the romance Fife is gone, and
she is happier taking care of herself, pet.
ting kittens and raising canares," said
Mrs, Howard, with O laugh.
81 hope shall never DE content with
such a life.'
"Let me ask you one question, Mary.
If father had been gone when this visitor
came, would you have left this dear home
to 60 off among strangers with him ~
"Most certainly should"
30 Mary How the world would be
changed for all of us, if you and Nanny
should desert the old home 1t doesn't
seem as if could live without this refuge:
enjoyed such perfect peace about the
boys when was in Europe, and they
we're under your wings; and Emma
never could 60 to the spring or the noun.
tain with any comfort if she had to drag
her little tribe after her or leave them at
home with unfaithful servants. o, Molly.
the blessing of a fathers home is a great
one If poor, dear father should leave
us soon, you could keep the home as your
own property, and live here in summer,
and in winter Nanny could keep house
while you visited US"
"Well, we are not obliged to lay plans
for the future tonight and I'm so tired"
replied Miss Mary.
"Yes, you've had real hard time
lately but you shall rest now. Oh, l
forgot to tell you that Emma and the
three children will come up next week to
meet me, and then you can have a nice
rest Hee house is going to be painted
and papered."
There was a dead pause. This was
adding only seven members to family
already as large as old Nancy could well
serve. But this was part of Miss Mary's
discipline so she made no reply, but,
kissing her sister, said, "Good night"
"One word more, Molly; promise me
now, that you will not leave here while
father lives"
81 shall not make any such promise y
"But Molly, it would be morally wrong
: in you to leave him."
"Certainly it would if no one relieved
, me; but | have not a thought of going
away"
Then why not make the promise tc
} relieve our minds ?"
"Because | do not choose to make any
! pledge for the future. | shall try to dc
r right in the fear of God"
"If you should leave home, of cours,
e the little property father has would be di
I vided among us all, instead Of wholly go
ing to you"
IL don't care for property"
"But we all mean you shall have it, il
o return for your faitbfulness here, dear.
e I'll shall try to make good use of i
y Odd -,