Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-11-02
VOL. XXIII.--NO. Is.

The parents silently turn him over to
the tongue of the maiden aunt. Luther
turned and looked the maiden aunt full
in the face, but that eye which had met
fathers with so much open frankness met
hers with look of defiance which plain
ly said, 81 am not afraid Of you" and
his tones seemed to catch fire from his
glapces as he said
81 have boon fishing"
"You have been fishing, have you,
and where, sir p
Down to the branch"
'And who were you with p
"With Billy Faddcu and Jim Nelson"
"They are fine companions for son
of Mr.. Wilmington. do not know
what to make of you, sir. You have
none of the pride of the Wilmingtons
about you. You do always select
your company among the children of the
people who are in every way the in
feriors of our family. 1t must be stopped
sir, now at once, or you will bring dis
grace upon us ALL If were your father
| would send you off TO bed without a
mouthful of supper"
The suggestion was sufficient, and off
Luther was dispatched to bed. That
night it was decided that Luther should
be sent the very next day to college, as
it would be the only check upon his pro-
pensities to associate with common
people" So at the age of ten years he
found himself cut off from his home and
thrown among uncaring strangers. For
seven years without single visit home.
he remained at school, and at the age of
seventeen flashed his collegiate course.
How his heart bounded with joy as tho
first familiar object that had been asso-
ciated with his early childhood met his
eye as he ratified along the road on his
way home. A few minutes moro and
the dear old home would be in sight, and
his face lighted up with pleasure as he
thought of the meeting with his mother,
father and sweet Katie, but he heaves u
deep sigh as he thinks of the maiden
aunt And yes there she is standing on
the porch with the rest of the family,
standing timidly in the background -
She must be the first to greet bis return,
but, oh, what will that greeting be.
She is looking cheerful, surely kind
word awaits him. Yes, she even cx-
tends her hand and welcomes him back.
Her voice seemed to indicate some lit
tie pleasure as she said
Il am glad to welcome you back.
Luther" but the peculiar cause of the
pleasure was only apparent when she
added, because you look so proud and
noble, and can see from your carriage
and manner, my dear boy, that the early
lectures of your aunt have cured your
propensities and restrained you from as
sociating with common people"
The kind reply which was ready for
her first words of welcome was not uttered,
and instead, a cynical smile played upon
his lips as he quietly passed her and fell
into the open arms of his parents aud sis
ter, not one Of whom had dared even TO
extend hand until the maiden aunt had
finished her greeting Yes, he could
easily perceive that the household was
still under the dominion of the maiden
aunt. Perhaps some of our readers NAV
smile and say, "How unnatural that a
weak feeble old woman should so com
pletely rule an entire family in their own
house" But smile on, incredulous one,
and the only harm we wish you is that
some day you may be taught to believe
as you bow in torture beneath the unre :
lenting sceptre--an old maids tongue
1t is n sceptre that waves with untiring
energy and its strokes are delivered with
unmerciful severity. The only redeem
ing quality that we could ever perceive
in the Mormon religion is the depletion
Of the ranks Of "Old Maidism." Its
prophet deserves vote Of thanks from
suffering humanity.
OF course the parents and the sister
were very joyful over the return of tho
son and brother, and after the maiden
aunt had retired they wore tho most of
the nights hours away in that pleasant,
happy talk which is always the compan-
ion Of such reunion There is a charm
in such meeting after years of separa-
ton, when loved eyes meet each others
glances, and loved voices minglc their
tones again. Hard. unfceling and I'M
natural must be the heart which does not
respond with rapturous joy.
TO be Continued