The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-04-22
TWO EL0PEM ENTS.

In a large, square, old-fashioned
house-such as our fathers used to
build when solidity was more sought
after than utility-lived Philip Manson
and his sister Esther. Philip had
reached the mature age of forty years,
and Esther was close to him. Still,
each had pursued a solitary pathway
through life, seeking no companionship
save that of the other, till there was
reason to believe that they would CON
tinue to follow the same course till in
the fullness of time they were gathered
into the family tomb-the receptacle of
many generations of the Manson family.
There was more reason to think so,
since they took care to commend an un-
married life, not only by example but
by precept.
"No," said Philip, when assailed on
this subject by a match making lady;
marrying may be very good for some
PCOPlOJ Dup SOulu uOV DCdI W nave lily
habits broken in upon, and my whole
house turned topsy-turvy by the intro
duction Of wife"
"But by-and-bye, when you grow
older, you will feel the need of wife
more that at present.
"No," said Philip, conclusively, 81
have sister who is devoted to me, and
while she lives 1 shall need no other.
AS for Miss Esther, she often
declared that she never would
make a slave of herself for any
man living. If other women were fool
ish enough to give up their independ-
ence, and tie themselves to man, for
no other earthly purposes than to bur-
den themselves with cares and toll from
morning till night, she was sure she had
no objection. For her own part she was
wiser. Her brother and she had always
lived together peaceably and happily,
and she did not think she could make
any change for the better.
Of course, it was insinuated by those
whose opinions differed widely from
Miss Esther's, that in adopting this
opinion she was only making virtue of
necessity, and that it was best to be CON
tended with ones lot, provided there
was no chance of improving it. But
Esther did not hear these remarks, and
30 was not disturbed by them. She
continued to live in the old house with
her brother. They kept no domestic,
since Esther rather plumed herself on
her housekeeping qualities, and there
was really but little to do. So, as her
brother was usually absent during the
day, she was left for the most part to
the companionship Of her own thoughts,
unless some neighbor Glanced to call
in "a thing, by the way, of rather rare
occurrence, since most of the neighbors
had large families of their own, which
necessarily confined them at home.
Early one afternoon, just after Esther
Manson had completed her task Of clear
ing away the dinner dishes, and stor-
ing them away in the cupboard after a
thorough washing, she was startled by
rap at the door.
Somewhat surprised by caller at this
unusual hour, she answered the sum
mons. She was little apprehensive
that it was n neighbor who had of late
proved very troublesome from her
habit of borrowing articles, and owing,
it Is to be presumed, to an habItual for.
getfulness, neglecting to return them,
"I hope" she mused, "that if it is
Mrs. Bailey, she will be wanting to
borrow something have not got"
She opened the door; but no Mrs
Bailey presented herself to her expect,
ing gaze--a gentleman of forty-fve
years, carefully. nay, elegantly dressed,
stood before her.
"I beg your pardon for intruding,
madam" said he, as he noticed Esthers
look of surprise; "but can you direct
me to the house of the late Mr.. Well
fleetp / have heard il was for sale,
and from the description have heard
Of IL, Judge il will suit me-"