The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-09-10

81. .n' siuggard, and it seems impossible
tine. ~ - "J -' -
1t was my own folly that placed
= tie where l am, and there is no one to
lame besides myself, unless it be his
Ib.s'er' She knew us both, and should
Ia,e spoken word of warning in time.
Us very seldom she comes here, shei is
asaamed, perhaps, to do so. But once
pug SAID to ME, we all thought that
mnen Egbert was married and had a
FAMILY to support he would be more am
ossuous, fix up things and make man
OF himself
II prayed, before baby came, that
i.usht die, perhaps it was wicked, was
III But God would not hear, and now /
s ss live for my child; he is my COM
fort, my all.
i feel like crying out and warning
every young girl to look well to her
ways. Marriage is at best lottery, a
contract in which their lifelong happi-
ness is concerned; and yours, Flo, is the
only true way; knowing each other so
iolg before marriage, you are now,
neither of you disappointed, but are
ape to be true to your marriage vows,
anO help to each other. With you
tnere will be no blissful dream sudden
lynded; no terrible awakening to find
Yourself welded to one you knew not.
For how many enter thoughtlessly
ln6 matrimony, as did l! The novelty
Nanhromance of the affair blinded me.
s1Aknsw but little of my lover, did not
Care u know more, but filled out all
vacancies with my own imagination,
painting a gay picture, with no clouds
or dark bact ground. 1T pleased me,
the new life, the distant lover, and the
envy OF ny ffiends.' co, how my con-
science smote me just then, when
thought q my own discomfort and the
letter written 10 you so long ago), but
dearly have paid for my folly"
Poor chill! could offer her but little
comfort, yet the having one friend tc
whom she could coutide all her troubles,
seemed to quiet and soothe her, so thai
it was more tae Beth of old who &C
companied me backto the house.
As we retrced Our steps | thought
"the woods, the brook the grassy mead
ows and old homestead are all here
just as we had pictured them so Ions
ago. But instead of being beautiful
they seem to me now almost hateful
like prison, and its walls fastening m,
Beth i'm
Joe was waiting at the house for me
and with so many funny adventures t.
relate, that the dinner passed off quit,
merrily, and Beth's sweet laugh wa
heard more than once. Her HUSBAND
had not yet returned, but he was no
much missed and to me his absenc
was relief, as | doubted much my be
ing able to treat him respectfully.
After dinner came a few old songs
and then the good byes' were said.
can see Beth yet, as she stood Their
all alone in the waning light, on tn
steps of the old house, baby laughing il
her arms, but she, with face white a
death and eyes that haunt me yet
saw some like them in picture once
which represented a mother in val
trying to keep the birds from the bodie
of her dead sons), she stood there
watching us until bend of the roa
nlu us lrOu view. L nave HedTu lrOl
her since-her life is the same. but sh
Is going home on visit this winter
and has promised to visit me.
"Am l contentedP" Does the ques
ton need answering?
But here comes Joe, and supper nc
ready. had no idea it was so late!
must close hastily and fly to the kitchen
Flo.
-Wonlan'S Journal.