Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-02-07
Misrellaneous. g
The Old Blue Chest.


How well remember il, Abou. that
old chest was a secret "a secret SO mys-
terious that we children always walked by
il on tiptoe. and scarcely dared to touch IL
with our sacrilegious hands. Up in the cor
ner IL stood. and the pale blue Of its sides
and lid looked grimS aud dark la the con-
tnuous twilight OF the place.
Elite and Percy aud could 90 up to the
old garret wheneser we liked. and play a
roysteringly as we chose, for there was no
dainty furniture, that tip over might ruin
and no carpet, whose bright colors would
be dimmed by the friction OF our boots and
shoes mo. not bit of it; and SO this
place, hallowed in all our memories tor
what came of il in later years. grew TO be
our acknowledged domain. Rich yellow
ears of corn hung from its huge beams, and
many dab in the face did we youngsters
get from them. as We rushed round in our
boisterous games.
Bunches of herbs. and bags. and all the
retired paraphernalia of an old-tine house
hold, also added their charms and presence
10 the garniture of our sanctum.
At the time this strange history opens,
Elite. the eldest, was eleven years of age;
Percy, our sweet-eyed brother, was nine.
while /. 1.-THE baby" was as rogush as ever
seven years of experience in living dared
to be.
Every day, after school. We always had
a run IN our garrett no matter how many
attractions the outside world might offer.
II Ettie came 10 and didn't see Percy and
me, she knew very well where We were;
and If / didn't hear them anywhere, l al
ways made a grand rush for the upper
room.
But philosophers have never told US at
what particular age of life trial and trouble
may dawn appreciatingly on US; 80, one
never-to be-forgOtten day. when / didn't
see Percy and Ettie. l, as usual. started for
the steep. unpaiuted stairs leading to our
play-room. Not hearing their voices in
play. had half mind to turn back. when
I heard Percy say. Lets tell Elsie; she
ought TO know"
All alive now for news. hurried up;
and there. close to the old blue Ghest.
whose presence we had always recognized.
but never thought much about. stood my
brother aud sister. with very sad lock on
their faces, but seemingly in doubt wheth-
er they should take me into their councils.
What is it?-what is it!' fcried out.
ceI .ain from the appearance Of things, that
something was the matter.
"Sh-. Elsie, darling, don't speak so
lOud-dcn't let mamma hear us!" Elite
said, land we'll tell you; but little sister
must be very careful not to say anything
about it. ever"
OF course promised that would never.
never,kell anybody, not even my chosen
playmate and boon companion, Alice Mac
kie.
Then they impaired to me in very low
tones. that, on coming upstairs q little
while before, they had found mamma sit
ting on the floor, with her head in her
hands, leaning on the chest. and sObbing
- il her heart would break. Poor. dear
mamma.
We all loved our mother very dearly, aud
though 1t Is years since Percy and Elite
whispered this In my childish ear. it is all
as Vivid to me now as when. before its dark
and dimly defined edges, we learned that
our mother had . sorrow which we knew
not Of, and that. somehow, 10 some mys-
terious way, that old chest had something