Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-11-16

~. ,.s, Cl,u,ly r"

yes maUIna. the iast-the very n>ts
And Claudia poured the nnc Tea rom
the canister into the bright tea pot. sand
there is scarcely Duttcr enough Tor
breakfast. mamma. But then you know
i have made up my MIND that butter
don't agree with Inc, and that tea makes
me nervous; so for the future | shall
have none OF Them"
And Claudia laughed bright. rip
pling laugh. that sent the dimples troop
ing to her face.
This Claudia was my only child-l6.
beautiful. accomplished, aud thoroughly
unselfish.
AT the time my narrative commences
had been confined to my room by ner-
vous prostration for three long months,
caused by my husbands failure in busi-
ness and the embarrassment consequent
upon 1t. We hal moved in good society
and had looked forward with all a
mothers fond anticipations to seeing my
daughter sceme out" and fill the place
that knew her beauty and accomplish
ments fitted her for. But alas. my hopes
by lightning stroke, were scattered.
AMI cloud had settled down upon my
soul that it seemed to me would never
be lifted.
We moved from our handsome resi-
dence, gave uI horses. carriages. servants.
and took lodgings. My husband was
gloomy, dis plrted, and even at times
mOrose and |. who should have been
his comforter, sank down into a state of
apathy and listlessness that ended In
nervous fever. | say ended, because
got mp from that sick-Led wiser and
nobler woman. All this time bright.
beautiful spirit had-been moving around
eur humble apartments: comforting
father, consoling mother. arranging the
scanty furniture, aud making the best of
everything.
Dear Claudia what lessons of patience
aud forbcarance she was unconsciously
teaching her weak selfish mother every
day!
II have my pets. mamma" she used to
ssy--'ny books. my piano. papa and
you. What more could any girl ask
pray ?"
In failing my husband lost everything
except some furniture and our wearing
apparel, jowclry. etc, and these dwin-
died away little by little. until nothing
of value remained except Claudla's piano.
nv engagement-riny and watch-the
latter the gift OF an absent brother whom
i had looked upon as dead for many
years. What il was that brd sapped the
foundation OF my husbands success, and
rausel our wealth. to disappear so sud-
denly, WIS IL the time ,unaware of. but
BY degrees the truth burst upon me. Un-
fortunate sp.culations i'm shares and
stocks and the final crash came that
made-tis almost brggarS.
hal been sitting thinking it all over.
when the merry voice Of Claudia reused
me from my rtverie.
Come mamma. to breakfast; the toast
il male. and papa is here"
As entered our little pa.lOr | gave
my husband an inquiring glance. which
he answered as silently Hy nOd,ling his
head and Looking in The direction of
Claulis.
Finishing her freakfas: hastily. she ran
10 the piano TO sing over her favorite
pieces. as was her custom. before the
sterner duties of the day commenced.
james" sail I. hooking nv husband
steadily in the fac. ear you still deter
mined tn IN Ike the Sa,.r flee you NEIL
iionel last nIght!'
Yes; it must 20. There is no help
Tor it. A piano is MT much Use. any
no v. TO people In our circumstances.
No gay cnmpinv-s,o .arety. What use
ia il? Mr.. Gilmore's friend will pay a
good price for il. and must have the
money for a venture an about tn make.
and which am sure will prove good
one.
saw by nv husbands stern voice and
snannrr that IL you'll he no use to argue
the natter. so merely remarked. rs /
ieant back In my chair:
1.-The money will go like all the rest.
T. Ill ..
beside leaving our dear child with scarcs.-
ly n comf'T,, You might have spared
hersthis-"
THE piano went that eamn LAY; and
how Ry heart ached for my innocen,
d,riing Al the tears trickllcd tl0wu her
cheeks, hard az she tried to keep them
back.
Il Shan't mini it mich after a day cr
two mamma" said she. smiling through
her tears. IL can do more work than
ever now; but we must fill mp The vacant
place in the room with chairs or some
thing. mustn't wc?"
And she hustled about to hide her
emotion.
But the music I'm her sonl could no
more be quenched than could the ii ie of
song that swelled the trembling throat
OF her pet canary. Oh, in those dark
AMI never-to-bc-forgOtten days, and the
darker ones that followed, what a CON-
fort my child WAS to me!
Spring. summer. and autumn passed.
and we lived in still poorer apartments.
NV husband had now surrendered him
self TO dissipation until everything had
been swept away. My watch and ring
had gone with the other things long
ago. Only Claudia Stood between us
and starvation. In the spring, through
the ihusuce of Mr.. Gilmore, wealthy
man who had taken quite an interest in
my husband, she obtained some pupils
for music, aud her salary was about our
only support.
1t was co'ds bleak day in November;
thick snow clouds mantled the heavens,
and the wind blew ieaifully. | knew
Claudia had but one lesson to give that
day, and that she would be at home at
o'clock; SO was busy preparing her
dinner when heard a knock at the door
On opening il. saw a servant girl, who,
pale aud trembling. said:
.Oh. m1'am, Miss Claudia is very i'll.
and has tainted. ="
A mothers fears lent wings to my feet
rs hastencd TO the house where she
was.
If nd Claudia better. though very
pale he was st ing on the sofa with Il
note IN her hand. which she handel to
me without "a word. Ii read as follows
Nov. ).
DEAR Miss LANGEoN: am sorry to
be under the painful necessity OF Inform
ing you that your father has met with
an accident, and is now lying at - Hos
pital, IN very low condition. Yours,
ih deep sympathy,
4. TILLESTON.
1t is impossible to tell how much the
stricken heart can bear. had thought
my cup was full; now il was running