Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-08-05

Weary of waiting, disappointed an'
chagrined that his happiness SHOULD
be sacrificed to what he termed the
whim Of an invalid, he spoke words
which could not be forgotten, scarce
forgiven. Adah would not rctaliate
but she set him free with a calmnes'
of tone that sadly belied the tumul
at her heart.
They partel-she in sorrow, he In
anger-never to meet again in thl'
life, the two who had loved so long
and 80 truely. A year afterward
came 10 Adah the tidings of Sidney
Mason $ marriage with one falrer and
far Younger than herself, whom it was
small consolation, then to believe he
could never love ashe had loved her.
Six weeks later Mr.. Darwin died
suddenly, and Adah was free
An interval Of peace and outward
calm followed this last bereavement
| Unless the messenger next called one
Of the sisters there were no further
partings in store for them. and they
might have sad in the words Of the
poet; "Fato, | defy thee, thou hast
done thy worst" But they were
christian women, with that trust in
the Father which no misfortune, or
earthly sorrow, can weaken or de-
s!!oy.
Happy they who possess that child,
like faith' Happy the sisters so long
! end sorely tried, that it was theirs
when the impending blow II upon
tier defencelcss heads. A short
time previous to his death, Mr.. Oar
win had teen induced to lend his
name to and old and trusted friend
and become security for an amount
that nearly covered his entire fortune
which though diminished by neglect
and depreciation Of property, was still
ample.
The claim fell due, the friend failed
to meet it and the creditor swooped
upon the still undivided estate which
had descended to the daughters Of
Mr.. Darwin.
They would not have resisted the
claim could they have done so, and,
with the calmness Of despair they
-aw their home and fortune swept
away. When the debt was satisfied ,
few hundreds alone remained to
them of all their wealth and luxury.
Poverty stared them in the face,
the necessity Of toll was imminent and
| these tenlelly nurtulel women not
only did hesitate to acknowledge IT
but had the good sense and wisdom
not to delay the day Of exertion until
Their lIttance was spent.
Il was perhaps but natural that
they should decide'to leave the scenes
Of .heir lost luxury, though friends
might have gathered round them
there, and seek TIE poor home they
could alone command in their fallen
fortunes, among strangers.
They came to our village, and com
Ineuced there, their new and toilsome
life amongst uncongeniel associations,
and surrounded by many obstacles.
But even here heaven raised up
friends for them, who, like my pa.
rents could appreciate and admire
their virtues though they shone out
from Il homely setting.
| would that | could truthfully re-
cord some brighter incidents in the
lives Of these excellent sisters. Bat
cannot. They lived until age over
took them in our village, still pursu
ing their humble avocation, and were
respected by all, though truly kno NJ
by few. And those few tried friend:
mourned for them, thong not as those
without hope, when their sweet ano
patient, though sorrowful lives, were
ended. And there were not wanting
those who smoothed their pillows ii
sickness, who tenderly wiped th'
death damps from their brows, anl
planted upon their humble graves the
flowers they loved. So, far from The
burial place of their naughty line
they sleep sweetly, "life's 5 ttlul fever
past.
The law Of compensation is stric
and varying. We may fail to see it
operations in lives given over appa
rently to sorrow and disappointment
y | II