Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-09-12
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WHICH LIFE VAS I,HE BET
IER?

IER?
Some thirty-live years ago there
dwelt in rural town of Northern
Ohio, two young girls named respect
lively, Mary Hand Lucy e..
They were neighbors' daughters and
nad been intimate associates from
childhood up. They were accustomed
to nearly the same mode Of life and
mad been educated in the same dis.
trict school. Both were intelligent
and we'll disposed; nevertheless, they
were widely different in their tastes.
Mary loved the country she loved
the associations of her farm home. -
The labor connected with it instead
Of being dstasteiul to her, was on the
contrary a pleasant task. Spinning,
much Of which was then performed
in the home, was her delight. She
could knit pair of stockings, 1Dalle
or mend her brothers clothes,or work
in the dairy, as the occasion demand
ed. And though not by any means
neg|ectful Of personal appearance,
dress was not with her passion.
Lucy in these respects was quite
the reverse. She was fond Of dress
and what she termed Style We are
sure she could never marry a farmer
and settle down to the prosy exist
ence Of farmers wife AS she grew
older the contempt for the plain
dressing, and plain living, and plain
ways Of the country people increased
more and more. Not many miles
away was thriving commercial city.
To tms she turned with longing eyes.
In it were near relatives whom she
frequently visited, sometimes prolong-
ing her visits into weeks. Daring
lheso visits she had formed the ac-
quaintance of young man Of gentle
manly manners, good principles, and
Of reputed excellent business qualifi
cations. lie was then engaged in a
we'll paying business that gave great
promise Of future pros, Gritty. This
acquaintance ripened into an attach
ment that eventually led to marriage,
and at the opening Of my story both
girls were making great preparations
for their coming nuptjals.
Mary was to marry young man Of
her own neighborhood, farmers son.
He already possessed some sixty acres
Of partially cleared land that he was
fitting up for his future home. With
limited opportunities he had acquired
sufficient education to teach school,
which he did during the winter
months, and in sam ner worked at
farming. He was honorable, upright,
intelligent, and in every respect de-
sirable companion for just such a girl
as Mary Il.
The girls frequently met and talked
over their plans together. Mary was
anxious to have everything prepared
for housekeeping beforehand. She
made ready her table linen, pieced
and quilted quilts, spun with her own
hands wool that was woven into
sheets and blankets, and finally
crowned her labor by making one of
those bright wool carpets filed in
with rags, that were SO characteristic
Of thrifty house-wifery forty years
ago. Her wordrobe, though not ele-
CANT, was neat, tasteful and we'll sup
piled.
Lucy looked upon all these prepa-
ratiors as quite superauous. She was
sure she should not work in that way
if she never had things. Then, SO
much had been expended in clothing,
her father felt unable to do more. In
addition she conhdentially informed
her friend that George says am not
to get things ready for housekeeping,
as she is able to buy whatever we
need. He says | shall not have to
work hard, that We shall keep a girl,
that | am to be nicely dressed, and
have my time to go about. You
know, Mary, I have always been SO
deprived of the advantages Of cultiya-