Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-04-25
An Easter Story.


I ahut utdSS INV sue~S~ s1Ss ~S>o"sss
of Easter Sunday. For weeks before this
day OF days, quiet, careful preparation Is
made. and nothing Is allowed to mar Its
10y and serenity.
'.Aunty, :" said I. one brisk March morn.
| ing why Is 1t that yoa celebrate Easter 10
such a peculiar wayP One would think u
was birthday. wedding day, and all other
days put together ....
80 II is. dear. so It is.' she replied. look
ing dreamily out at the dull landscape; II
was truly born. and truly married, and,
may say, truly died, one blessed Easter
| day"
Born. married. and died-ali on the
same dayi Well, | should call that On ex-
perience. Suppose you tell me all aboet
it," and drew Aunt Grace to an immense
easy chair. In front Of = cheerful crate IRE,
and seated myself at her feet.
We'll. child" she replied, "bring me
your uncle's shirt from my work basket. |
| like to have something In my hands while
I am talking"
81 don't. II the talk Is worth anything"
l said. bringing the shirt, basket and all.
| You belong to a generation that doesn't
like to work with its hands" said aunty.
smiling. and beginning to stitch rapidly.
That Is, because We work so much with
our heads. But please begin your story !,
somebody will interrupt US within ten min
utes"
II am going to tell you OF an exper-
| ience," said aunt Grace, that | rarely ever
speak Of in these happy days; and could
not bring myself 10 the task OF unveilin2 1t
to you, did not think It would be Of value.
In three months you will be wife. and
will enter UPON the same path where
stumbled and came near falling utterly"
you auntyy' exclaimed. opening my
eyes, and concentrating my attention. But
she was already In the past, and did not no.
tice my surprise.
Your uncle John and l." she said, were
| what people called paadly In love with each
other. We were direct opposites, and found
world Of fresh and vivid interest In such
others society. We were absolutely happy
together, and could not imagine that any
change could ever come. 1t seemed per-
fectly logical to conclude that marriage
wonld only increase our joy, and never did
| a man and womaI take upon themselves
the VOWS OF eternal fidelity. more willingly
| than John aud /.
Anuty paused for minute, let her hands
fall IDLY In her lap. and gazed into the fire.
| Presently she said: Annie" Chats my
name,l don't forget this: The more
chance there Is for happiness, the more
chance tor misery. The most exquisite
flowers need tie most careful training.
This rare blossom Of love had opened for
Us. but were We wise enough 10 preserve
| its purity and beauty?
10 begin with, we knew nothing of our
own real natures, md nothing or each 9TH
er. John was gay, jovial, fond of society
susceptible. he required beauty, and
warmth, and brightness In his heart world.
l was imaginative, dreamy. reflective; ln-
| clined To solitude at times; willing to make
every sacrifice for those loved but averse
to sharing my treasures with the outward
world. Before We were engaged. John had
| always had troop OF young men about
| him; he was their leader and oracle; their
friend and brother. He supplied the impe-
cunious ones with money, and the dull
ones with brains; he let the lazy ones hang
upon him. and never could find courage TO
set fellow adriit. His heart was so ten
der that Il could not resist an appeal 10 its
kindness.
You can easily see the attraction, that
We had tor each other. He represented
sunshine. music, jollity, society. into which
| | could step 81 will from my own still
thoughtful sphere. / represented quiet
, peaceful retreat, where he could retire and
rest fully from the dazzle and noise that at
tended his lie. Because each WAS so In
tense In certain qualities, so lacking In
others, our relations became the more in.
timate. believe this fitting OF qualities TO
be the harmony that makes love; bot II
| these opposite qualities clash. heaven Is
| turned into hell.
The first coldness between John and
| myself was occasioued by his friendship for
young man whom considered coarse
and unworthy. His name was Harry
| French. and he was always after John al
ways running In after tea 10 invite him out
for stroll; or stopping Of Saturday sf-
ternoon. With his fast horse to take John
to drive; or lettering and chatting Sunday
evenings,
And right here, Annie, want TO i'm
| press upon you this truth; II you want to
| break anothersk klnfluence over your hus-
band, do il BY strengthening your own.
Make yourself more winning, more sweet.
more attractive In your dress: brighten
| your home In every possible way. Did
try to get rid OF Harry French sos Alas !,
I | didn't know enough. In that related TO
| nv heart. l was . wilful, wayws-d, sensi-
I tive child.
.-One Saturday was especially longing
for Johns society. had been alone a
good deal during the week, aud had enjoy
ed my solitude, too; but was ready at las.
| for the delicious refreshment Of my dar-
ling's presence. We had had happy din
ner together. and were walking up and
down the parlors. with our arms around
each other, laughing and frolicking like
two children. when Harry drove up to the
| door
".Oh. there's French = exclaimed; YOU
| won't go with him this time. will ' u.
John? want you so much Tonight
| Don't be so serious. pet said John !;
| 4 must go. for | promised Harry to try his
new horse; but won't be gone more than
! an hour.
II grew instantly angry | tell you the
truth Annie, could have seen the house
| burn down with more calmness than
could Dear that little rebuff from John. Nv
heart was set 0p him. aud couldn't bear
| the lea st disappointment or refusal from
him All the tropical warmth turned sud.
| denly TO coldne-s. and giving my husband
n violent push. | said. You can stay as
long as YOU like; can do very well with
| out you
Il shall never forget the qreved. aston
ished look that came into Johns face; but
It soon gave way TO a coldness equal To my
own for he was not man to tear unpro-
yoke ed insult. He hesitated a moment the n
! turned suddenly and went out. | watched
him through the lace cur tains. as he joined
his friend and heard with maddened
heart their rheery voices and gay laughter,
as they drove OF
Let me say. in passing. that | Rad no
excuse for this behaviour. Harry was not
q bad man. he did not suit me. that was
all; and wanted John 20 myself when
ever chose TO have him. But this did
not see at the time. l did not reason. only
felt; and strong feeling. without proper
tionxte reason, is most dangerous quail
ty.
.Of course my first resource was tears.
I 'yept paasionately for while, then
dressed myself and went to visit . friend.
| stayed all the evening, with the distinct
purpose of making John anxious He
should learn. 1 said. to regard my wishes
Is OF some consequence.
I'VE went on for days. trying TO act rs
II nothing was the matter, but feeling at
our hearts that all the perfection Of our life
wa. spoiled We. who would have suffered
ayonies at the thought Of even short sep
aration. met and parted with cool polite
ness John went out more than ever with
Harry French, and tried to believe that
didn't care. But sll the first Quarrels SOON