South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-09-15
T 81 E RI SON HY.

was here. and looked for all the world
as though some dreadful calamity was
about to befall you. If you have any
regard for my feelings, do try to be more
like folks"
Mrs. Graham's head bent lower over
the little half.finished dress upon which
she was working but she made no re.
ply: She was evidently accustomed to
such remarks. Presently. bursting into
tears, she rose and left the room.
| "Pshaw," said her husband, as with q
contemptuous smile he looked after her,
that's always the way. You must speak
TO q woman Jest so, or She II begin to sniv-
Ell. say, Kate" addressing bright
eyed, wide awake looking woman of
some thirty years, 81 used to think that
women were almost angels; but I've
come to the conclusion that they are as
full OF faults Us We poor devils are"
An amused expression on Mrs Ly.
mans face was her only answer.
MIR. Graham sat for some minutes in
moody silence, .and then said, reaching
for his hat as he spoke: Come, Sis,
let's go over TO Uncle Johns, we'll be
sure to find smiling faces there, and can
manage, perhaps, TO pass an evening
very pleasantly. It's pity that fei.
low can't take some comfort at home"
1t was after considerable hesitation
that Mrs. Lyman replied:
We'll, Charley, just wait until Ber-
ties jacket is done, for he is very anx.
ious to wear it to school tomorrow and
then, if Nellie's asleep glancing at
the cradle, where lay the six-months old
baby-"Pll go with you"
AS the clock struck seven the little
garment was finished, and was placed
by the kind aunt where BERTHE could not
iail TO sec when he first awolle in the
morning. Baby was now soundly sleep.
ing, and Mrs. Lyman, after putting on
her hat and shawl, stepped to the door
of her sisters room and said, Matte.
we are going to Uncle Johns. We shall
not be absent long; but do not sit up
for us unless you choose to-"
Very WE'LL" was the reply, but tho
tone in which the words were uttered
told plainly that the speaker took but
little interest in what was going on a.
bout her.
Now, Charley" said Mrs. Lyman, as
soon rs they were fairly in the street,
IL shouldn't have consented to come
with you tonight, were it. not that I
wanted, as Aunt Hannah used to say, to
give you good big piece of my mind"
why, what for, Kate? What crime
am guilty OFF,
Tho crime Of destroying Your Own
happiness, and the happiness of those
dearest to YOU"
What do you mean? What can You
mean?"
II think, Charley, you spoke very
harshly to poor Matte tonight. could
| almost have cried with her."
Perhaps l was rather cross; but.
Kate, that woman tries my patience
dreadfully. SIZE goes moping around
looking as forlorn and disconsolate as
though she had not friend in the world"
There must be cause for it,
Yes, suppose; but think it would;
puzzle lawyer to find out the cause"
Don't you remember when she was
otherwise?'
Don't remember? / think / do.
There wasn't "a pretty girl for miles
around as Matte Standish was. l was
proud of her in my counting days"
Yes, / well remember what deyot.
cd lover you were. Our garden was
robbed of its choicest flowers to be made
into bouquets for Matte. If fruit or
confectionery were sent from the city.
the very incest was selected for That
same Matte. The latest magazines aud
papers were found on her table, placed
there by my brother Charley. In short
nothing was too good for her"
That's so, Kate; and those were
jolly times. / wonder if Matte has for.
| gotten them?"
Without needing his last remark, Mrs.
Lyman continued: IL had beautiful
rosc-trec at home, Charley, that was Div.
en- me by dear friend. As long as /
watcred it and tended ie carefully IL 70.
paid me with many fragrant, beautiful
blossoms; but after it had been in nv
| possession few months, am sorry TO
say, ] shamcfully neglected IL. Some.
times. for days together, | did not 90
near it. IL faded and dropped. re-.
newed my care Of it--but IL was too late
My rosc.tree died, and learned q les.
son. Take care, Charley, that your
Matte does not share the fate Of nv
rose. She has n peculiarly sensitive
nature, and will not bear neglect any
more than tender plant will"
but, Kate, Matte knows that 7 love
her rs well as ever did"
What reason has she to think SOP 7
was reading not long since Of gentle.
man who had visited in n great many
families and among them all. Inc baC.
found but a very few really happy ones.
The cause Of tho unhappiness, ne said.
was not so much tho want Of love as
the 'cd"t If care 10 mmiJcst IL. That is
just where the trouble lies. If n man
should tell you that you did not love
your wife and children, you would be
! tempted TO knock him down. "But.
/ Charley, what is love worth that is never
expressed in words or actions? PLAY
the lover again, my dear brother. and
my word for it, you will have no cause
TO complain of Matte"
BY this time the door Of Unclo Johns