The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-11-25
A DOMESTIC SKETCH.

had just returned after ten years
absence in the West, and Of course,
found many changes even in my coun-
try home There was new birdhouse
on the barn-top; there was new wood
shed built on to the old kitchen ; there
was handsome carriage drive in place
of the old uneven road and narrow foot
path which led from the ample gate
around the hospitable side door, with
its pleasant plaza, covered in summer
by creeping vines, and in the winter by
the loveliest snow drapery tho vine
resting for support and giving form if
not color to the fakes as they fell. l
think / never saw anything so pretty.
Inside the old homestead the changes
were even more apparent. Dear grand
mothers seat was vacant, but l could
seem to see the venerable form, the
sweet, pale face with its lovely blue
eyes and serene brow, crowned with
the softest, prettiest silver hair you
ever saw, still occupying it. l saw her
then, just as when I parted from her,
with smile n her lips, though tears
were in her eyes, as she bade me q
cheerful "Good-by, and God bless you,
my love-"
turned and looked back as l left
the door, she had already taken up the
little writing desk, my parting present,
and commenced writing. knew after
wards what she was saying on that white
sheet.
Chow shall 1 thank you enough, my
darling, for this beautiful giftP 1t will
be one of my chief comforts in your
absence, for it will constantly remind
me Of your love. and of my duty to
you. You have just left me, and ! am
soothing the pain OF parting by writing
you letter God only knows when
and where we shall meet again"
My father had grown old, and my
mother moved silent and less bustling
in her ways; my sisters had changed
from merry school girls into sober,
quiet young ladies' my brothers were
away to college, or engaged in business
in neighboring city and the front
chamber was changed into nursery
for Ellen's new baby. A sweet little
girl OF four years old would often stand
near grandma's chair, leaning her head
upon the cushion, and there was q
curious resemblance between the old
face hanging in the gilt frame above it,
and the fair baby one beneath it, and ]
felt that in nature, as well as in name
we had a second Tirzah. The old
clock in the corner ticking the same
psalm, and the grand old elm just in
front of my window seemed TO me the
only things quite unchanged in and
about the farmhouse.
"And my school girls, where are
they?.' interrupted, as my sister Lot
was giving detailed account OF Mrs
Oerow's new mansion the splendor o
her carpets, the size Of her mirrors
the number OF her tenants, being tn,
wonder Of tho village. "Where ar,
Helen Morris and Susie JoiceP Surel,
they do not know Of my arrival, o
they would have called ere this"
"Mercy on me, Sister Katel" exclaim
ed Lois, "didn't write you that Helel
was married six months ago to Cerowe
and don't you know she is the very on
that ! am telling you aboutP He |
Crmsus, and as aristocratic as prince
30 Helen and he ale well matched 20,
know"
"Aud Susy?"
"She was married, too, about tn
same time, and lives in H., the mex
town to ours"
"And is her husband rich, TOO"
asked with some anxiety, for she wa
my iavorite pupil, and / could not beO
tho thought that she should grow ou
Of that sweet, simple girlhood into
proud lady Of fashion.
"0h, my no." answered Lois. "He