The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-23
"A MODEL MARTHA"

Martha Griswold had been a member
of her Uncle Harry Griswold's family
ever since she could remember. In
deed, she had been its most happy
member. for. being of healthy, cheer
full nature, she did not morbidly brood
over dependence. but thankfully took
the goods the gods provided, which, in
her case. her uncle being wealthy, was
measure full to Overlooking.
Such calm, steady ray of light in the
house was she that every one counted
the hours when she was absent. Her
aunt had often remarked to her hus-
band that she hoped Martha would re-
main single, for she did not know what
in the world they could do without her.
1t looked now as if this would be the
result, for Martha had been engaged to
Gerald Allison for seven years, and for
his love she had, much to the ire of her
uncle, declined many brilliant offers.
Gerald Allison was poor clerk, who
had long looked forward to an advance
ment in his salary, but each year came
round with the old, yet ever poignant
disappointment of being unable to offer
Il suitable home to the woman who he
had chosen from all the world as his.
1t came to be an old story that Gerald
should come and 60, though her aunt
and uncle had little liking for him, as
is often the case of the prosperous, to
those less successful. To Martha 8
aunt and uncle the idea that she and
Gerald would every marry was utterly
preposterouS, and her uncle had once
said to her, in the heat of argument:
This tardy lover of yours will keep
all others away, and at last leave you
himself"
Il would as soon believe that you,
who have been father to me, would
turn me out of doors, in a pitiless storm"
she answered. in her low, soft tones;
but faith spoke in them.
Martha lacked beauty, yet she pos
sessed a gracious charm Of manner that
won more enduring affection. She had
pure, fair complexion, large blue eyes,
clear and true as child's and a wealth
of blonde hair, which she disposed of in
braids that in glossy softness crowned
her head. She was below the medium
height and given to embonpoint. Gerald
was her entire contrast in appearance
and temperament, being tall, dark and
remarkably handsome, given to extrav-
agant flights of fancy, and frequent fits
of depression. Although they were
contrasts in this, yet they were one in
all noble and ambitious thoughts, in all
generous aims for improvement.
1t was Christmas eve, and the snow
came down in soft flakes like white
doves, as Gerald, covered with a man.
tie OF the same, presented himself at
the hall door, returning right merrily
Martha's Christmas greeting, as light
of heart as boy. But as she stood
there, so daintily fine in beautiful raj
ment, her face trustfully tender, it
struck him and not for the first time.
that he was wronging her. How could
such as she combat the wolf at the
door?
And when in the parlor, he sighed,
drearily contrasting its splendor with
the poor comforts he could give her.
Martha, hearing the sigh, said cheerily,
though the tear-drops, those little mes
sengers of sorrow, trembled and glis-
tened at the end of her long lashes:
Is it to wait another year, love?''
80, Marthar' he cried, Selling both
of her hands, II have been blindiy self
ish; but, my darling, l must not sacri-
fee you; you are not made for the
drudgery of a poor mans lot" and he
dropped his head in his hands in utter
hopelessness. Il cannot ask you to
wait for me any longer" ne continued,
a break in his voice, which is so touch
ing in strong man.
At first the quick blood of sensitive
feeling had crimsoned Martha's face;
but her faith was so strong in him that
she could not doubt, and her heart, so
womanly tender, was filed with COM
passion for him. She put a soothing
hand upon his head, which he took and
pressed upon his eyelids, and she felt
tears upon it.
could we not?"--- she said and fall
tered; and he, looking up, she could
not meet his glance.
''Could we not what? Can it be,
love, that you are willing to leave ali
these gew-gaws, and share a crust with
meY'
When he read her candid answer in
her sweet face. he felt blessed beyond
deserving that she should thus love
him above all earthly things.
"You are just throwing yourself
away, Martha" her uncle said; "you
will always be as poor as a church
mouse. Gerald has fine poetical ma
ture, as you say, but will that earn him
way in the world? I'd give a good
deal more for the old-fashioned word
'spunk.' You are young and romantic.
but tell you that it will be no play
day with you; you will earn your name
of Martha before you have been mar
ried a year; and when the cold winds
blow and penury pinches. you will re-
greet the warm nest you have left"
''No, uncle, fear nothing; we have
temperate wants, and with diligence
we will succeed. The poor are more
contented than the rich, and in that, at
least, we can have mine of riches"
''Contentment never made the kettle
boil, nor furnished the meat for the
boiling; but it, rare tidbit for poetical
souls to starve upon. These words,
somewhat impatiently spoken, ended a
long discussion between Martha and
her uncle.
The wedding day had been appoint
ed; and as Gerald owned a little farm
about ten miles from the city, Martha's
good sense suggested that it would be
better to be comfortable farmers than
poor city folks, for the farm would be q
sure dependence. Sleeping or resting,
their crops would be growing.
"What q wise little woman" said
Gerald, half in earnest, half in Jest. He
could not endure the thought of Martha
drudging on farm; but, in spite Iof
protestations, he at last fell into
Martha's plan. happily, saying, ''Of all
avocations, it is the one should choose
for myself, but I fear for you.
but l am perfectly healthy, and
have a strong heart for any fate with
you; and then I have expected to marry