The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-05-11


row. minded, most unloveable woman.
We lived half mile from the Sharpes,
on the road that leads from Pentonville
to Fairfield. There were only three of
us; cousin Miranda Carter, my brother
Gorham, and myself.
We two were orphans, and cousin
Miranda Carter was the village school
teacher. Our house, all that our parents
left us, was a straw colored cottage, not
large, but plain and neat, and comforta-
BILE, with two great chestnut trees in
front.
Gorham was ten when mamma fol-
lowed papa "across the river" Two
weeks later, cousin Miranda Carter came
to our house. She and mamma were
own cousins, and had been the tender
est of friends through all their girl and
womanhood.
Children" said cousin Miranda Car
ter, drawing her arms around Gorham
and me, Il am an orphan too, and God
has brought us together. Ever since
they laid Lucy by Edwards side 1 have
heard voice in my heart that 1 knew
was God speaking to me, Go, and be
mother to the children, Miranda and
have come to be this" And she was
father and mother to us. She was poor,
and taught school, as she had done
before. We lived, of course, very plain
ly, but still comfortable, for Pentonville
was not an expensive place, and we had
a garden, some chickens, and q COW.
Nobody need starve with these in the
country.
They called her an old maid, cousin
Miranda Carter; and she must have
been more than thirty when she came
to US, for she was just my mothers age.
She was not handsome, and yet abe had
one of those gentle, fair, womanly faces
that "grow upon you" Years after
ward we learned the history of her life,
and why she gave SO many of its years
to us. Perhaps my father and mother
have learned it now in heaven, and,
perhaps, if they had learned it sooner
they would never have been my father
and mother, for cousin Miranda Carter
was very dear to the hearts of both but
my mother was very beautiful
Ahl j wonder often, If amid the
crowns which the angels set down on
the foreheads of the redeemed, there are
many fairer, even among priest, and
prophet, and the holy of the world,
than the one she wears-cousin Miranda
Carter
Mercy Lane had attended her school
two terms. Our cousin had remarkable
acute perceptions of character. She saw
the germs of much that was rare and
good in the girl. She encouraged and
stimulated her in her studies. Mercy's
teacher was the first friend she had had
since her mother died and the hapless
child grew in little while to love her
with all the ardor which belonged to her
deep intense nature.
At the close of Mercy's second term
her aunt removed her from school
needing, as she averred, her services at
home. This was terrible blow to the
NllllO, lOA uhCICy tdotO vi huOWlCuR6
had awakened great "hunger and
thirst in her SOUL" Cousin Miranda
called on Mrs. Sharpe, and vainly en-
deavored to induce her to send her niece
to school another term. Mrs. Sharpe
was inexorable. " 1t was useless to stuff
girls heads with notions and knowl-
edge" she said. Mercy must stay at
home, to take care of Tom" a fat, white
haired, flabby-faced boy, of two and
half years.
But Miranda did not despair, for the
sight of Mercy's disappointment greatly
moved her. She told the girl she would
give her lessons every evening, in
geography, grammar and arithmetic, If
she would come over TO our house, after
the supper dishes were washed. She
was more diplomatic, however, this
time, and urged Mercy to make the
proposition herself to her aunt, fearing
she might dislike interference on her
part.
With what success Mercy urged her
cause may be inferred from Mrs. .Sharpe's
remarks at the commencement of my
story.
Mercy Mercy what is the mat
ter ?'
The golden painting of the twilight
had filled the little back sittting.room,
where we were all at supper, when
Mercy burst suddenly into the room,