The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-04-24

Yes. my dear 1t might be pleasant
But fear 1t would be dull
Springfield (.HasS.) Republican,.
THE STORY OF A CLOCK.
IHAvE occupied my present position
in the Slocum family for almost half a
century, and have kept up a steady tick
took. day after day, and year after year,
only when silenced by trembling fingers;
then my face was covered with black
pail, that l have learned by cbserva-
ton always meant death, for when the
dark drapery was removed, and l again
busily measured off minute and hour, l
always found sad faces and fearful
eyes, and as they gathered round the
evening fire, would listen in vain for
some dear familiar voice or face about
the room, for some loved face, that
never more would lift laughing, ques-
tioning eyes to mine, or charm with
the sweet musical tones that had grown
so dear.
Thus, one by one, they had drifted
out over the waveless tide-till only
two of the old household remained-and
one of these, my little fair-haired Amy,
had grown up to wOmanhOOd, and
linked her happiness with one she
loved, and was batting with poverty
and pride in distant home, banished
forever from the dear old home, by her
cold, hard brother Hugh, because she
chose the nOble-hearted but poor
teacher, who had once earned his daily
bread in the proud Slocum family.
was sick and heavy-hearted in the
old house without my bright-faced
Amy, but l soon forgot my sorrow. as
l watched the fresh young faces that
now blossomed in the old home, and
filled it again with childish music.
l licked on joyfully, keeping time
with their very laughter, and thanking
the slanting rays of sunlight, that oc-
casionally frightened up my old face,
till it seemed to beam with happiness
upon them.
All their sorrows were mine, and
then, when the shadows were lifted,
and sweet peace folded her wings and
rested by the fireside of the Slocums,
how happily l plodded on my rounds
and gaily marked off the fleeing Sec
onds.
The Slocum family now consisted of
father, mother, two daughters and one
son.
The youngest was little, fair-haired,
frail creature, who seemed rightly
named Lilly.
Gertie, the second, had grown to
womanhood, had her love dream, but
just now seemed so sad and dropping,
and her eye, so full of pain and vague
unrest that longed to reach forth my
aged hands that had always been so
faithful, and touch the sweet bowed
head in tender sympathy.
l noticed how the postman' S ring al
ways sent vivid red flush to her
cheek, and then watched the bright
look of expectancy die out of the face.
as he brought no tidings from Neal
Ransom, and still the patient face
smiled on through many tears.
How l longed to tell her that the
long-expected letter had been dropped
in my old-fashiOned case, by a careless
hand, aud that Neal was waiting in vain
for some word in reply to the offer of
his love, but l could only tick out wait
wait. Once the sad eyes were lifted
to mine suddenly, and the soft hands
touched my face caressingly as she
whispered softly. "Dear old clock,
what are you trying to say? You heard
him say, when get back to the city
shall not forget you, darling, but have
something to writeyou.' but he has for
gotten"
Poor brave heart. The sadder her
life the sweeter she seemed, and l kept
saying to myself, Neal, these gathering
shadows will be lifted some day, when
sweet, tender-hearted Gertie has learned
we'll the lesson of submission.
The eldest, and the only son, had
gone out from home into distant city,
promising young lawyer, possessing
ticed every letter from him brought a
shadow over the faces gathered around
the evening fireside, and heard them
speak sadly and softly of the wayward
boy, who was plunging deep into all
the designations of city life. Oh. how !
longed to lift my warning voice and
ring out an echo from home that might
turn the hayward boy in the right
path.
MIR. and Mrs. Slocum made a visit to
the city. but when they returned the
fathers face was stern and white. and
the mothers worn and weary, and her
eyes dewy with unshed tears. heard
her speak to Gertie of Paurs wild
career and the fierce determinations,
and at last utter enlargement, that had
taken place between father and sou
and that the father had sternly request
ed, nay commanded, that Paul Slocum'.
name should be an unspoken one in
our home, and the brokcn-heartet
mother bowed her head and sobbet
piteously.
Old Nancy coming in just then, lifted
her apron and wiped the tears from
my old face, called attention to the
damp state of the room, when in my
sunny position should be covered with
moisture.
Poor faithful old Nancy, she had
lived in the house ever since INV busv
wheels had first been set in motion. An
she little knew the agony of INV moo,
heart, but l noted the tears STEALING
down her wrinkled face, as she turned
away, for she. too, had fondly loved the
young master.
Day followed day, slowly and sadly
and in the sorrOwful stiffness of the oI(
room, it often seemed as if grew nois,
and tried in vain to silence the tick
took that sounded SO fearfully distinc
in the quiet place.
Once little Lilly looked up into m,
faded old face. crying, "Busy oil
clock, you are the only CHEEKY thins