The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-01-31
ONE I.EARA AGO.
"Going to board?n


The tone was ons Of utter amaze
ment, and Mrs. Gordon flushed I'M
easily, as if tho surprise was in
some measure a reproach.
"lou see, Aunt Lucy" she said,
coaxingly, "this is SO far out OF
town. II Harry and 1 want to
make n call, or go to any place Of
amusement, It takes half the night
to get home"
"Not quite so bad as that, Lulu
Harry goes to the city. morning
and evening, so it cannot bo 80 very
| farW
"And I have to be up very early,
because Harry does not relish his
breakfast alone, and Sarah never
cooks steak quite as he likes it."
"IVell?" said Aunt Lucy, gravely.
"WelI," half pettishly, u hate
housekeeping! | want to board
for awhile, and have my timo for
visiting and sewing"
"You should have sufficient time
for both, with such u perfectly ar.
ranged house, and so small fam
ily."
There was an interval of silence,
while Aunt Lucy, full Of painful
thought, tried to think OF argu-
meats that were not censures, to
coax Lulu Gordon from her new re-
solve.
She was Harry's Aunt,not Lulu's,
and her experience taught her the
danger ofthis new step. Orphaned
when 4 boy, Harry had been her
life-charge, and sho knew well
where his temptation, were situa.
ted. lie was Il frank, generous
hearted man, fond Of society,inclin-
ing to "good company" and Of the
easy good-naturo that is blessing
or Il curse, as circumstances or
strength of principle dictates.
Mrs. Henderson had spent many
prayerful hours in the paut, know
ing Harry had not strength to re-
sisl many of the temptations "sood
fellowship" calls forth. She had
known of his engagement to Lulu
with = trembling heart, for Lulu
was an only child of doting par.
ents, and spoiled by over indul-
gence.
But the change In his life caused
by his marriage had exactly the
slcadying influence Harry seemed
to need
Lulu's father, who was not Il rich
man, had drawn upon tho savings
OF years to furnish q houso for his
daughter, and Harry had selected
a cottage upon the outskirts Of the
city, because it combined tho ad-
vantages Of low rent and q large
garden. lIe was salesman in q
! large, wholesale house, drawing a
good aalary, and his interest in his
house and his garden was that Of
a boy with Il new toy, but continu-
ed long after the novelty was over.
There was Il steady, middle aged
woman engaged as servant, whs
proved efficient and reliable, and
Lulu at first shared her husbands
pleasure in the novel dignity Of
housekeeper.
The only cloud upon the first
two years had been the death Of a
beautiful boy, who frightened the
house for six months, before he was
called home TO heaven.
1t was 4 common remark among
Inlu Gordon's friends, that her
house was Il gem, aud llarry's pride
in it was very great. He was con-
stNntly adding to the stock of prst-
ty table appointments, toilet arti.
cles, or kitchen convcniences, and
his rule vas to buy tho best only,so
that little by little he had collected
Il choice assortment Of household
goods under his roof.
Through tho spring and summer
months he would spend tho early
morning and evening hours in his
garden, priding himself upon his
fruit, flowers and vegetables, and if
they cost MS much as if bought in
the market, the money was well in
vested in health and pleasure, as
well as the articles produced.
But while tho pretty house and
garden were the source of pride and
happiness 10 Harry, while he stud
led 10 make them perfect for Lulu's
sake, the little wife wcaried soon OF
the monotony of household tasks,
and fretted for the excitement Of
her girlhood. Something Of this
she lost while her 6aby-6Oy filled
heart and hands, but after ho died
she again found time hanging hcav,
lily upon her hands.
Friends found the ride to her
pretty homo u long ono, c,and did not
drop in" as they had done when
she lived in the city, while she
| tired also Of the ride to and fro, that
Harry bore patiently, with home nj
one end.
She had not that strong love o
homo that is inborn with many wo
men, and did not derive the keci
delight many would have fell from