Daily Republican., 1882-07-06
LIVE ON A FARM.

AE0 yOu my aunt DOFCA6
Mrs Torrance had been entertaining
quilting bee that afternoon; and she
bad just goo the frame out Of the way,
the dishes washed up, and the apart
ment generally tided, when there came
meek tap at the door, and there In the
yellow twilight stood q small figure in
gray travelling shawl and holding a
small bag.
"Snakes alive p said Mrs. Torrance,
"who be you?"
II am Emily" said the girl. "Please
let me in for 1 am tired and cold.
I've walked all the way from the sta
ton, and l have had nothing to eat
since noOn."
"Well, l never" said Mrs. Torrance.
"You're the city schoolma'rm, amt
you, as went out to live with Cousin
Shadrach? And he's dead, and the
money has gone to the Baptist's widows
and orphans fund You didn't make
much by the move did you? And
you've come to US now, though we
wasn't stylish enough for you before.
Well, come in"
And Mrs. Torrance who was essen.
TALLY kind hearted woman, albeit she
could not repress the sneer that rose
from her lips, moved the low rocker to
the fire and flung another log on the
andirons.
Cousin Shadrach had been the family
apple of discord ever since they could
remember.
He was rich, he was eccentric, 70
was Grabbed. He had even shut the
door in the face of all his relations, un-
til towards the last, sick and feeble, he
had Signified his desire that Emily AL
den should come and take care of him.
And Emily had gone
There had been spice OF jealousy In
the family az regarded Emily, for q
long time. Emily had been looked
upon as proud and stuck-up, because
instead of entering a factory or learn
ing the dressmaking trade, she had Sc
lected to be teacher, She had never
visited Job Torrance's family until
now-now that Cousin ShadraCh had
willed his money to the Baptist widows
and orphans-her own mother was
dead, and her step father, pompous
old wholesale grocer, objected to step
children, 80 that there seemed to be no
other haven of refuge left to her.
We could not blame Mrs. Torrance
for momentary feeling of triumph,
when Emily Alden came thus to her
door stone in the twilight of that April
day.
But she helped her eff with her
things, made cup of tea for her, and
finally escorted her to a little room
under the roof-t-ee, where the floor was
covered by home. made rag carpet.
and the bed decorated with a rainbow,
Jobs troubles" quilt, and you could
look out of the window into a green
meadow, where whlp-poor-will
planted its melancholy refrain.
&C. hope you'll sleep well, said Mrs.
Torrance. 1--WE eat break fast at five."
And then she went away.
Early as was the breakfast hour,
Emily was awake at least an hour
before it-as if the tumultuous glee of
the robins and blue-b birds in the
orchards would permit any one to
sleep. And as she lay with her cheek
against the pillow, watching the rosy
dawn light creep up the wall, she heard
the sound Of voices In the meadow be-
low her easement.
"What is she like mother?" said Job,
Junior, who was milking.
sob, she looks we'll enough" Mrs. /
Torrance carelessly responded. "Little
and dark, with big, shady eyes, and a
real Torrance mouth. Doesn't talk
great deal and Is dressed shabby, as one
might expect"
"Poor thing" said Job Junior pity
Well" said Mrs. Torrance, sharp
ly, II can't say but what l think she l
deserves all she got. Them Aldens were
always as proud as Lucifer."
"You'll keep her mother, of course?"
II suppose So" said Mrs. Torrance.
II don't suppose she's got anywhere
Else to CO."
There was no more delicious doing
for Emily now. She rose hurriedly,
dressed herself and came down stairs.
"Aunt Dorcas," she said, as she en-"
that lady frying ham and
eggs over the kitchen fire, " what is
here in this neighborhood fora woman
% do?"
"Eh?" said Mrs. Torrance in surprise.
"To earn my living l meant ex-
planned Emily. "Is the district school
supplied with teacher ?" L.
Mrs. Torrance nodded as she placed
;he slices of frizzling ham on blue
edged plate, and arranged the eggs in
golden spheres above.
'Is there factory hereabouts2" pur-
sued Emily.
FUSED to be-" said Mrs. Torrance.
But they failed and 1t has been shut
Town for ten months"