The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-10-27

y &
ship when one can do nothing for the
other"
"Oh, it is beautifulr' cried Ellen
HE says always we are in such differ
ent ranks of life. We could never ex-
pect to have any intercourse, except
to be sure by kind Of happy acci-
dent, like me. 1t would not do, of
course, visiting or anything of that
sort; but just to be friends for life,
with a kind look, such as we might
give to the angels if we could see
them. If there only could be win
dow in heaven, here and there!' and
She laughed with moisture in her eyes.
"Ah!' [ said; 'but windows in
heaven would be so crowded with
those that are nearer to us than the
angels"
-@Do you think-they would want
that?" said Ellen, in reverential low
tone 5!!'don't you think they must see
somehow? They-would not be happy
if they could not see. But the angels
might come and sit down in an idle
hour, when they had nothing to do.
Perhaps it would grieve them, but it
might amuse them too, to see all the
crowds go by, and all the stories going
on, like play, and know that, what
ever happened, it would all come right
in the end. I should not wonder a
bit if, afterwards, some one were to
say, as yon did about John, L have
seen you. :, passing for years and
years"
| need not repeat all the rest Of our
talk. When two women begin this
kind Of conversation, there is no tell
ing where it may end. The conclu-
sion, however, was that next evening
John was to be brought to make my
acquaintance; and Ellen went away
very happy, feeling, | think, that a
new chapter was about to begin in her
life. And on our side we indulged in
great many anticipations. The male
part Of the household assured us that,
depend upon it" it would be mis-
take; that John would be mere clerk,
and no more; man, perhaps, not
very sure about his his; perhaps over
familiar, perhaps, frightened; that
most likely he would feel insulted by
being asked to tea-and a great deal
more, to all Of which we, Of course,
paid no attention. But it was not till
afterwards that even 1 realized the
alarming business it must have been
to John to walk into a room full of
unknown people-dreadful critical
children, girls and boys half grown up
and to put to the test friendship
of years, which had gone on without
word spoken, and now might turn
out anything but what it had been
expected to be. He was a little fut-
tered and red when Ellen, herself very
nervous, brought him in, meeting all
the expectant faces, which turned in
stinctively towards the door. Ellen
herself had never come in the evening
before, and the aspect Of the house,
with the lamps lighted, and the whole
family assembled, was new to her.
She came in without saying a word,
and led her love, who for his part
moved awkwardly and with shy hesi-
tation through the unknown place,
threading his way among the tables
and chairs, and the staring children,
to where l sat. | have always said
my little Chatty was the best-bred of
all my children. There was no one so
much interested as she; but she kept
her eyes upon her work, and never
looked up till they were seated COM
fortably and beginning to look at
their ease. John faltered forth what
l felt sure was intended to be a very
pretty speech to me, probably conned
beforehand, and worthy Of the occa-
sion. But all that came forth was, 81
have seen you often at the window"
"Yes, indeed" I said hurriedly, "for
years; we are old friends; we don't
require any introduction" and so got
over it. l am afraid he said ina am"
l see no reason why he should say
ma'am; people used to do it; and ex-
cepting US, rude English, everybody
in the world does it. Why should
not John have used that word Of re-
spect, if he chose? You say ma'am
yourself to princesses when you speak
to them, if you ever have the honor of
speaking to them; and he thought as
much Of me, knowing no better, as if
| had been a princess. He had soft,
refined voice. | am sure l cannot tell
whether his clothes were we'll made
or not-a woman does not look at
mans clothes-but this [ can tell you,
that his face was we'll made. There
was not fine feature in it; but He
who shaped them knew what he was
about Every line was good-truth
and patience and a gentle soul shone
through them. In five minutes he
was at home, not saying much, but
looking at US all with benevolent ten
der eyes. When Chatty brought him
his tea and gave him her small hand,
he held it for moment, saying, ''This
is. Ellen's pupil with a look which
was benediction. II should have
known her anywhere" he said;
ELLEN has a gift of description-and,
then, she is like you"
ELLEN has a great many gifts, MIR.
Ridgway--the house is sure to be a
bright one that has her for its mis-
tress.".
He assented with smile that lit up
his face like sunshine; then shook his
head, and said, II wish ! could see any
prospect of that. The house has been
built, and furnished, and set out ready
for her so long. That is, alas only
in our thoughts. 1t is great pleasure
to imagine it; but it seems always to
recede little further-a little further.
We have need Of patience" Then he
paused, and added, frightening a
little, "Fortunately we are not impa-
tient people, either of u.s."
"Forgive me" | said. sit is great
deal to take upon me-a stranger as L