The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-11-03


her own, and a good husband who
would take care Of her when-she
ought to outlive us ALL [ added, not
knowing how to put it. ''And if it
were to be always as you say" | went
on, getting little courage, "there
would be no marriages, no new homes.
We have all had fathers and mothers
who had claims upon us. What can
it be but heartbreak to bring up a
girl for twenty years and more, and
more, and think everything of her,
and then see her go away and give
her whole heart to some one else, and
leave us with a smile on her face?''
The idea carried me away-it filled
my own heart with a sort Of sweet
bitterness; for was not my own girl
just come to that age and crisis
"Oh! I understand you; [ feel with
you; | am not unsympathetic. But
when one thinks-they must live
longer than we; they must have chill
dren too, and love as we have loved.
You would not like, neither you nor
|, If no one cared-if our girls were
left out when all the others are loved
and courted. You like this good John
to be fond of her-to ask you for her.
You would not have been pleased if
Ellen had just lived on and on here,
your daughter and nothing more"
This argument had some weight
upon her. She felt the truth of what
| said. However hard the after con-
sequences may be, we still must have
our ''bairn respectit like the lave.''
But on this point Mrs. Harwood
maintained her position on a height
of superiority which few ordinary
mortals, even when the mothers Of at
tractive girls, can attain. Il have
never made any objection she said,
ito his coming in the evening. Some
times it is rather inconvenient; but I
do not oppose his being here every
"And you expect him to be content
with this all his life?''
1T would be better to say all my
life she replied severely; mo, not
even that. As for me, it does not
matter much. | am not one to put
myself in anybody's way; but all her
fathers life-which can't be very long
now," she added, with a sudden gush
Of tears. They were so near the sur
face that they flowed at the slightest
touch, and besides, they were great
it is too much" she cried, "that she
should see her poor father out first.
She has been the only one that has
cheered him up. She is company to
him, which [ am not. All his troubles
are mine, you see. | feel it when his
rheumatism is bad; but Ellen is out
side: she can talk and be bright
What should | do without her!
What should L do without her! I
should be nothing better than a slave
I am afraid to think Of it; and her
father-her poor father-it would
break his heart; it would kill him. [
know that it would kill him." she said
Here | must acknowledge that [
was very wicked. / could not but
think in my heart, that it would not
be at all bad thing if Ellen's mar
riage did kill this unseen father of
hers who had tired their patience so
long, and who stamped his foot with
rage at the idea that the poor girl
might get out of his clutches. He
was an old man, and he was a great
sufferer Why should he be SO
anxious to live? And if a sacrifice
was necessary, old Mr.. Harwood might
just as well be the one to make it as
those two good young people from
whom he was willing to take al the
pleasures Of their lives. But this of
course was a sentiment to which |
dared not give utterance. We stood
and looked at each other while these
thoughts were going through my
mind. She felt that she had produced
an impression, and was too wise to say
anything more to diminish it-while
|, for my part, was silenced, and did
not know what to say.
"Then they must give in again." |
said at last They must part; and if
she has to spend the rest of her life in
giving music lessons, and he go away
to lose heart and forget her, and be
married by any one who will have him
in his despair and loneliness-I hope
you will think that satisfactory con-
clusion-but [ do not! | do notr'
Mrs. Harwood. trembled as she
looked at me- Was | hard upon her?
She shrank aside as if had given her
a blow. ut is not me that will part
them" she said. II have never OBJ
jected. Often it is very inconvenient
you would not like it yourself if
every evening, good or bad, there was
a strange man in your house. But |
never made any objection. He is well
come to come as long as he likes. It
is not me that says word"
''Do you want him to throw up his
appointment" | cried, his means of
life?"