Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-03-25
''She's Only A Dependant"

She's Only A Dependant
Adaline Reynolds sat alone in one of the
many rooms in her unclc's splendid city
mansion: Yet the brilliantly lighted par
lors were thronged with a gay assemblage.
Why was she the only one sad? ~. .
1t was her cousin Clara's birth night,
and when Clara had been asked who Ada
line was, the cruel answer came, "Only
a dependant. a distant relation of faith
er's"
Adaline had heard the contemptuous
reply, and hence she was alone and weep
ing.
Adaline sat, her eyes resting on the sill.
very moon, which was shedding its light
full upon her upturned face. That face
was one of the most beautiful imaginable.
Tears were gathered in her large, lustrous
eyes. and one fell upon the small white
hand. She sta,t ted up as if an adder had
stung her, and brushed the tcars.drops
from her eyes, saying:
"Back, back your fountain. Although
I am only Il dependant, will win name,
and they shall yet be proud Of their poor
counsin!"
Slowly Adlaine dropped upon her knees
asking Gcd to guide her in the steps she
was going to take. A.
When she arose the guests were depart
ing, for she could hear the carriages as
they rolled away. Yet she did not retire
until the dawn of day. Her slender fin
gers were flying rapidly over the paper
on which she was writing.
The morning sun was shining bright
and beautiful. Mr. Howard sat alone in
his library. He was thinking of the past
Once more the grey-haired man was q
child, seated around his fathers fireside
with his brothers and sisters, listening tc
his kind sire's advice, or looking to catch
his mothers loving smile. Then cloud
came between him and his life of sun
shine. The death-angel claimed his fond
ly loved mother; another and another
passed away, until all were gone but his
idolized sister Ada.
Her he saw just verging into woman
hood. Another vision passed before him
his now proud, aristocratic wife. She hat
deceived him, it mattered not how; i
was too late now for remedy. His daugh
tiers, three in number, had grown up t.
womanhood, and had inherited thei
mothers foolish pride.
He had heard Clara, the eldest, but TIN
evening before, say that Alkaline was onl.
a dependant. The words had sunk deer
into his heart. Was not Adaline his sis
ter's child?
Again, and Ada passed before him, al
rayed in her bridal robes. He heard he
farewell words, and felt her farewell kiss
She was going to her western home
A few short years passed by, when on
dark day letter came telling him of hi
sisters death, then of her husbands an
asking him to rear her child as his OWL
Did he not love that child as his own
Yes, ncbly hast thou done thy duty to tb
dead sisters child. But alas! thy word
were the only kind ones Adallne received
While he sat thus, recalling the pas
two soft arms stole around his neck, an
sweet voice said, "Uncle, what are 20
thinking about?'' 80 ..1s. !:
"Must tell you it was about my littl
pct. Oh! how lonely shall be when sh
is gone"
''Gone where, Uncle?'' 5s
! .Why, to Mrs. Westbrook's. Did Int
promise to send you there next month
4 "Yes, Uncle, but I thought you had TO
gotten it. I am SO happy now at til
thought of going back to dear VAIN,
Hill once more; not at leaving yo,
Uncle" and tears came into her eyes !
she kissed him, who cared more tor hi
Z happiness than for his own.
Again she murmurcd the words of til
night before, II will win 4 name for Ii
sake" And in few minutes she ".
Il WdlAIuS OOVH lHc SLcct iOWdTu the pOS
office, bearing in her hands the treasure
I thoughts that she had penned when hoI
was almost dead in her heart. Il
Mother said Clara Howard, do Va
know father is going to send Adaline bac
I to school again ~
Yes, ! know ii, and have told Iii
that she will repay him with ungratefu
: ness.'
Just then Emma came in with new
paper, saying, There is such q beautifi
piece Of poetry written in the Gazette,
is called Thoughts Of. Heaven and Il
editor has complime mented The ahthore
! whose name is Lena. =
Clara read il and poured fourth b
) praises on the writer. .5...s5ss
Adaline was in the next room, and b
q heart bounded With joy and hope as 81
recognized her own poem.
We will pass over the farewell, and Ad
8 line sadness atS leaving her kind uncl
The poor depen,ie IS again Mrs. We,