Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-06-16
Careless Words.

Various were the comments of the good
| people Of A-when the sign of Alfred
Keith. NJ. D., was first nailed upon the
window shutter. The old ladies wondered
if his cures were as infallible as Blink S
Panacea; the young ones If he was married
or handsome, loved picnics and sleighlng
parties; whilst the gentlemen OF the village
positively declared that if he was a young
physician, it was presumption 10 eLdeavor
to compete with old DR.. Smith.
But alas for the interest hanging around
Young Alfred Keith! Had he enveloped
himself in mystery his office would soon
have filled with patients, but 1t was quickly
known that he only came TO A in order
to increase, if possible, a very sms ii in
come; that he had never prescribed dozen
times in his life, and that he was to poor
and agreeable for mammas with marriage
able daughters to care about cultivating his
acquaintance.
But with none did DR.. Kelth's voice har-
monize so well as with Clara Graham's.
Clara WIS the belle of the village. Her
father was the richest man, her mother the
proudest lady, and Clara the prettiest and
saucIest girl in the place.
The summertime sped on gaily and ru-
NOR said that the doctor and Clara were
engaged The white jessamlne flowers
over a certaiu vine-covered piazza at the
side of Mr.. .Graham's house might have con
firmed the report could they have spoken,
but Mr.. Graham was supposed never to
trouble himself with anything less import
ant than money, and his lady was alto
gether too naughty dame for the curious
TO risk the fear of her displeasure by pry-
ING questions. Had Clara been asked if
the report was true, she would undoubtCd-
ly have replied "Yes, " with such comical-
ly serious face tnat no one would have for
moment believed her.
Not that she was ashamed of marrying
Door man, as Alfred Keith undoubtedly
was: but the sensitive delicacy of the
Young girl shrunk from having her love
talked and jested about.
One afternoon party nf village gossips
happeued to assemble at Mrs. Jackson's,
where the doctor boarded, and the conver-
sation turned upon the visits of gentleman
to the place, who was supposed to be an
admirer of Clara Graham's.
"They do say he is very rich; but one
can't tell ow-a-days whether man has
money or not; fine feathers make such fine
birds" said old Mrs. Patterson.
"Well, then, he need not be coming TO
see Clara Graham; for, take my word for
it, she will never marry poor man, re-
piled Mrs. jackson, putting the half knit
stocking up towards the window, in the
I;rrLt 70 foka nm oh
q thought the doctor here had an eye
on her." said another, looking at him and
laughing; "but you cut your wisdom teeth
before you came here, didn't you, doctor !
She would have dismissed you with smile
aad bow like queen
Alfred Keith laughed, and SAID there was
no danger of Miss Graham's dlscardlng
him; but at the same time he felt rather
uncomfortable.
Gould Clara be ashamed of the engage.
| ment, that she insisted upon It's being kept
so quiet 2" asked he, mentally. He had
| told her frankly of his small dependence !;
but old DR.. Smith was nearly superanu-
ated, and his own practice was increasing
| Gaily. Clara had declared herself perfectly
willing to share his small fortune but her
| lovers pride had often chafed that he must
| ask such a sacrifice from her. The evening
after the tea-drlnking at Mrs. Jackson's,
| Clara met DIR. Keith at a party. She was
the gayest of the gay, and constantly at
tended by the stranger to whom alluslOn
had been made the afternoon before.
"What do you think, Clara ? Mary Hay
is going to marry young Abbott" said a
friend by her side.
"Poor Mary! how she is throwing her
self away. Why, he Is as poor as church
mouse; and as 10 this love In cottage, it
Is more romantic than comfortable " was
the laughing rejoinder.
81 think Mary will be very happy,
though; she is not ambitious, and is accus-
toned to sacrifice g, If she loves MIR. Alb
bott, all these petty trials will be light,
replied her friend.
Clara gave groan, threw up her hand
and eyes with much earDestness, and said
"Pocr little innocent thingl You know
nothing at all about it. How can love eX-
ist through the soap-suds of washlng-day
And where is the romance Of sweeping
from garret to cellar with white pocket
handkerchief tied around ones head, OF
burning ones hands and arms preserving
time? Oh mol let me marry a rich man
who can afford to keep servants for all this
A poor man, indeed! he would be the
death of me-"
Careless words, carelessly spoken, bu
how bitter the fruits.
DR.. Keith was standing net Clara at the
time. The gossip of the afternoon before
had made him suspicious. He feared the
feelings did influence Clara, and that sht
had repented her promise to him. HI
drew near to her, and said, in low voice
care you serious, Miss Graham2"
GAS judge!" was the laughing reply
The annoyance of the lover increased
and he said with arperity, elf was en-
gagged to young lady who really enter
tained these sentiments, l sh uld be mos
happy for release"
Clara looked up in surprise, but seeln!
how seriously he had taken her trifling, sh
answered, as the naughty flash mounted t.