The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-01-10

WAS young yet-not nVe ana twentY-a
bachelor, and likely to be one my life long.
had no proper home to take her to, and no
friend to aid me. At last, in my extremity,
| thought of Betty-old Betty, who had
once been my nurse, and who loved me as
she might her own son-and in tn gloam.
ing | made my way to her poor home. /
found her trimming her vines in the bit of
garden ground, and had my usual kiss across
the garden fence even before the gate was
opened
I've been thinking of you,' she said. L
| knew it was you as soon as heard some one
| coming, 'Tisn't every young gentleman
would weary himself coming to see an old
lady like me. Sit down, honey, and rest.
Il came to ask favor, Betty
'Just name 1t, Master Berthe
'Will you take boarder, BettyY'
Bless me 7 in my two rooms p
Only child, Betty
"A child, Master Albert p
told her of the fdd'ers death, and of
the girl.
4 have money enough said, but no fe-
male relative. can only come to you.'
You always were kind hearted from
boy she said. I'll take the little girl,
Master Bertie.'
Then she put both hands on my should
| ers.
You haven't fretted, have your she
asked.
Fretted? Why" asked.
Nay, why, indeed% said old Betty. Bet
ter fish in the sea than ever were caught
yet Then, in moment more, she added,
I've been to see the Wedding
felt my face flush.
Shall bring the girl tomorrow after her
grandfather's funeral?' / asked.
When you please said Betty. But,
Master Albert, what do you mean to do
with her ? You are doing all this in hur-
ry. Just think bit
Il am going to adopt the child,' said TT
will make me happy to have young thing
| to care for
Betty laughed.
You'll have young things of your own,
please Cod some day, she said Why, at
your age life is before you
Il shall never marry, Betty said.
She caught my fingers in close grasp
with her horny, hard working hand.
| Il wish you was back again baby on my
knee, Master Bertie,' she said. I'D like to
sing you to sleep as did then. All ! it's
grief to us old women to see the young we've
| Ill IL ~.
troubles so shut up in their own hearts that
we can't comfort them. Going? Well,
then, good night. Pm ready for anything
that viii cheer you, Master BERTHE. ought
to say Master Albert always, now, I sup
pose, hut the old times do come back sov
| left her leaning over her gate looking
wistful)y at me, knowing as mother might
have known, the griefwhich had buried in
my heart. And if her words had given me
pain it was like some ointment which makes
the wound smart in its very healing. 1t was
something to be loved so well, even by the
old nurse.
Late the next day led my young charge
from her grandfathers grave to Betty's cot
tage She kept my hand upon the road as
little child might l had no thought but
that she IS one, until old Betty's cry of
Goodness Master Berte thought you said
youpg child Why, this is grown girl 7
startled me into consciousness.
1T doesn't matter, does il Berty l
asked. She turned to the girl.
Take off your bonnet she said, little
grmly. Il want to look at you. What is
your name%
She obeyed I'm only Nellie Hay, she
said and stood to be looked at. Betty look
ed sternly at first, then pityingly.
La, no Master BERTHE, it don't matter,
she said Il don't see any harm in her
There's peg behiud the door, child. You
can hang your bonnet on that And left
the two together.
Not long, though every day found some
new errand to take me to the cottage. pu,
on elderly airs and gave advice. / had been
sent to school and went through grave ex-
aminations on Saturday afternoon. | told
Betty that when was a man of middle age
/ should take my little daughter home and
she should keep house for us. And began
/ to fancy very soon that there could be nc
such happiness as that a parent felt. The
: girl was growing tall and | was only tel
. years older than she was but when she
checked her light tread to keep peace witt
me, when the childish laugh bubbled auC
rippled at something which could only max,
> me smile, felt that years are not the onl,
> things which age us.
was working hard at my profession, too
had hand and heart full. In year
: found that could pass Aletta on her hus
bands arm without pang In year NOR
7 | wondered whether she had really change'
| or whether ] fancied black curls more thai
| did golden bands, tor / found myself think
f ing my little daughter much the prettiest.
In the sultry summer evenings | used t
leave red tape and parchment and go out t
Betty's cottage to have tea with my adopte
y child. Then, while she polished up tn
cups, Nellie Hay and used to walk dow
n to the river side. Tall as she was CROWN,
Is had way of holding her hand still an
@ we had such pleasant talks, such odd, III
II worldly chatter These walks and simpl
n tea drinkings rested the brain, wesried wit
7, law business, quarrels and qubbles an
e, stratagems, more than can tell.
The rough hands had grown softer no,
IN the waist taper, the bust full. The sweep
woman's robes, the tread of woman ligh
shod feet, had taken the place of cumpir
leather boots and scant cotton skirts.
ne knew this, but Nellie was child to n
ID all the same. Was ] not by adoption h
er father? Had not my early grief and Il
ne staff on which leaned aged me before n
~ time? Of course she would always
young to me aud why | felt so angry if
nd chance some gay young farmer chstted wi
IN her over the fence,or some neighbor saw h
nd home from church, | could not tell. a
| a. 4