Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-09-12


80 much.
Mary could not help thinking the
future of her friend looked bright in
deed. Still she did not envy her nor
wish to b. in her place. She had
made her cIoice, thought she had
chosen in wisdom, and was satisfied.
Finally the weddings came off,
Both were considered grand events
for that quiet town. Lucy's was the
first. The best loom at Slul,, u
was newly fitted up for the occaslon.
A pretty "boughten" carpet covered
the floor, fancy candleSticks filled
with the best stearine candles adorn-
ed the mantle and shed an unusual
brilliancy over the scene. The bride
looked lovely indeed in her light silk,
flowing veil, and orange blossoms
the latter accessories being furnished
by her city friends. A small and
very select company was present, and
it vas general pronounced the most
stylish wedding that had ever oc'
Cured in those parts.
Mary's nuptals were celebrated in
true country style. All the relatives
and friends of both parties wers invl-
ted. A beautiful dinner was served,
and as a musician was present. the
floor was afterwards cleared and the
younger members Of the company
joiaed in tripping The eight fantastic
toe until the wee smae' hours.
Ana so the girls bid adieu to the
homes Of their childhood and went to
homes o. their own one to the coun-
try, the o.ther to the city.
During he earlier years of Lucv's
married life she seemed destined to
realize to the fullest extent the de-
sires of her youth. She had a kind
and indulgent husband his means
we're ample. Tie home to which he
had taken ha1 was rleayant, even
beautiful. A s1i.'itul servant relieved
her Of The more Al l,lous duties Of her
household. She co,,lI dress to her
taste, could attend parties, concerts,
and the theatre, and oulc occoslon-
ally take trip to a distant city, or
spend season at some fashionable
watering place. Surely her path was
strewn with flowers. Will her life
always be thus bright, thus Tree from
care? We shall see.
Mary's early married life Was al
most the reverse. The holle she had
first entered was scarcel y more than
comfortable. But her skllltul hands
and pleasant ways rendered it \ home
in the best and truest sense o. the
term. Tie years that followed We're
years Of hardship and toll. The fam
must be improved. Fruit trees must
he planted, fences must be built, and
more commodious buildings erected.
During three years children were
born and grew to man and woman s
estate. Bat the old habits of thrift
and neatness did not forsake our
friend. She still regarded with care
her personal appearance. She was
an ardent lover of good books, and
took every opportunity to gather up
useful information she read aloud TO
her children, interested them in the
things she herself had read, and en-
couraged them to read for the nselves.
Nor was she unniudful of the needs
Of society, nor the wants of the unfor-
tunate. She became an active MEM
Der of the little church in her neigh.
borhood, visited the sick, and helped
in many ways the needy poor. Leav-
ing her thus usefully engaged he will
follow the fortunes Of our city hero
inc.
Lucy has now developed into a
genuine "woman Of fashion" Two
children address her by the endsaring
title of "mother." The elder is
daughter, fair of form and lovely of
countenance. Upon her the mother
layishes whatever wealth can buy or
love suggest. Her every wish is graf
flied. No care is put upon her, her
hands were unsoiled by labor, and
the richest Of apparel adorns her per-
son. The fear that too much study
will ruin her health deprives her OF
most of the rudiments Of an education.
i