The Portland daily press., 1877-11-03
From HaIper's Bazaar.
A Newspaper File.

things which had been hers, and were now
ours, but by dnt of open windows, sunshine,
and furniture busted and re-arranged, trying
to restore to the rooms that familiar look
which they had lost during those weeks of
anxiety and trouble. A few days more, and
we must face future which was full of ter
rors. Meanwhile custom as well as inclina-
ton accorded brief respite in which to think
of her who was gone, and Of each other, with
the clinging fondness of those whose lives,
never before parted, were about to separate.
She sat on low stool, her head against
the chimney jamb. 1t was the chimney of
Amt Priscilla's youth; she never would alter
it-one of the wide oldfashioned kind, with
pot-hooks, and blazing logs, and bake-oven
at one side. The soot-blackened bricks and
faint red glow made a background for my
sisters head withiits great twist of fair hair,
and lily-like slender throat. Sue is very
pretty, prettier than anybody I ever saw. I
recollected picture of Cinderella sitting in
such an attitude by the chimney-side. She
was equally picturesque at that moment; so
far as looks &c, equally worthy of prince; but
alas no fairy godmother was likely to emerge
from the appleroom for her benefit. Aunt
Pris, who in small way had enacted that part
toward us, was gone, and her big rocking
chair, which we had no heart to sit in,
swung empty in its accustomed place, type of
O uhO CIupbi1Cos WulCA VIC WCIS COusClOuo VI
In other things, and would feel for long time
to come.
Neither of us spoke for while. We were
tired and spiritless, and John Slade was COM
ing presently to talk over things, so we saved
our words.
DR.. Slade-John-was Sues lover, Their
poor little engagement had been formed two
years ago. How many years it was likely to
last. nobody could guess; but they held on to
1t bravely and were content to wait. Pretty
soon as we sat waiting, his step sounded
without on the gravel, and with little tap
courteous, but unnecessary, for the door was
never locked-he entered, gave Sue gentle
kiss, me another, and sat down between US in
aunty's rocking-chair. 1t was comfort TO
have him do that. The house seemed less
forlorn at once.
'Well, children, how has the day gone?'
he asked.
"Pretty WE'LL" replied Sue. "We have
been busy, and are tired to.nig ht, think.
Pm glad you are come, John dear. We were
getting lonesome and dismal, Cree and II
Lucretia is my name; but Sue and Aunt
Priscilla always called me "Cree."
John adjusted a stick on the embers, and
with one daring poke sent the sparks up
ward before he answered. Then he took
Sues hand in his broad palm and patting it
gently said;
Now let's talk over matters. We ought
to decide what we are to do, we three"
That s'three' was very comforting to me,
but John always is a comfort. He was
made so,.' aunt Pris said. And he certain
ly carries out the purpose of his creation.
did your aunt leave any will?" he went
on.
"Only this; . and brought from between
the leaves OF the big Bible, where we had
half ata Of ,Atn - ~,
dear aunty had stated in her own simple
form, that she left all she had to be equally
divided between her neices, Susan and Lucre-
tia Pendexter. Squire Packard's name and
Sarah Brackets, our old washer-woman's
were written below as witnesses.
"Very WELL" said John. "That's good in
law, l fancy; or if not, you are the nearest
relations and its yours anyway. What prop
erty did your aunt own besides this house ?"
"She had an annuity of two hundred a
year, and fifty dollars more from some turn
pike stock. That's all, except the house
and furniture, and there's mortgage of
three hundred dollars on that. Squire Pack
ard holds it. The annuity stops now, doesn't
John looked as Though he wanted to whis-
tie, but refrained.
"Your aunt was clever man ager," he
said-"a capital manager. She made very
little go great way, didn't shep I don't
know any one else who could live so nicely
on three hundred year, with mortgage in
terest taken out. You have always seemed
cozy and comfortable"
1--WE always have been. But we had the
garden, you know, and the COW; that gave
us two-thirds of our living. Aunty was
wonderful housekeeper, though. Isn't it a
great deal cheaper to feed women than men
She always said So"
Il suppose it is. Men are carnivorous. A
diet Of tea and vegetables dom. suit them
very well they are apt to grumble for some
thing more solid. Well, my dear girls our
summing up isn't verv satisfactory. Even
without the mortgage you couldn't live on
fifty dollars year."
eNo. And I've been thinking what we
could do. So has Cree, though we haven't
spoken to each other about it. I might
teach district school perhaps. And Cree"
II could take place as plain cook. There
isn't anything else can do so well. Plain
cooking with dripping and soap fat by way of
perquisites;" and gave little laugh meant
to be merry.
SIT is hard I" said John, with moody look
on his face which was foreign TO its usual
bright frankness. 'How much little money
would sometimes do for people who can't
get 1t, and how little it is worth to other
people who fling it away without thought
of its value. A thousand dollars, now! ANY
rich man would consider it a mere bagatele
In his expenses: but if I could command the
sum, 1t would make us three comfortable for
life."
SLOW do you mean? What would you do
with thousand dollars If you had it,
John?'
'rll tell you. Langworthy is going to sell
his practice ?'
"Ohr
SIT is large practice, for the country, you
know. 1t brings him in six or eight hundred
a year-sometimes more. He has chance
to 90 into partnership with his brother out
west somewhere. and he'll sell for a thous-
and.''
but John, some people like you better
than they do DR.. Langworthy."
"Yes, some people do. But the question
Is, will they like me better than the other
man who buys DR.. Langworthy outp III
were that man, should command both prac-
tices. 1t il chance, don't you see? But a
new man coming in has his chance to cut m
out"
ST see. What can be done ?"
Nothing" with rueful laugh. "That's
the worst fit. can only keep on and hope
for the best. But it is hard when with this
miserable thousand dollars could double my
chances and make nice home for you two.
Sue darling, don't cry"
She had laid her cheek down on his arm,
but she wasn't crying, only looking sadly
into the fire.
'If we sold everything, all this which
aunty left us-the home, everything-could
not we get the thousand dollars ?" asked
desperately.
John shook his head 81 could not
let you do that, Cree, in any case.
You'll want your share some day for your
self; it mustn't 60 into buying practice for
me. But, apart from that, houses sell so
badly now that this wouldn't realize much
over the value of the mortgage at forced
sale. And the furniture, though worth a
good deal to keep, would 60 for nothing at an
auction. That plan wouldn't do at all for
:. "Still, there's no harm in thinking about
IL, ana seeing what we have, and what It's
WORTH urged, loath to give up any ghost
Of chance. 1--WE may do that, mayn't we,
"Of course. That is thing Won must do
sooner or later. Look over the house, and
make list carefully, and we'll consult and
fix on approximate values. Don't hurry
about it, though. Next week is time enough
and know you need rest"
"Rest is the very thing don't need and
can't take" cried impetuously. Some
thing to fill up the long days and keep US
from thinking and getting blue is what we
w ant n3n =, 1s.k 70