San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-10-19
THE INVALID CLERK.
BY SHIRLEY BROWNE.

It was the twilight of crisp, cold
winter day. Outside, the cawing OF
a flock of belated crows made sorrowful
music, as their wings were outlined
against the deepening orange OF the
sunset, while in a cozy farm kitchen
the lamp was already lighted, and
Mrs. Flint was busting about prepar-
ing the evening meal, while Marah,
her niece, sat and sewed with flying
fingers on the household linen,
II should like it so much, aunt,
said the girl, lifting her eyes wlstfully
to the old lady's face.
But Marah," said Mrs. Flint, set
ting the earthenware teapot where its
fragrant leaves could steep slowly on
the back of the stove. Il don't see
that can spare you my dear. There S
so much to do, now that grandma is
feeble, and your uncle has to hire two
men for the wood cutting, and they've
got to be boarded here, and your cousin
Louisa coming here with her children
until spring"
Marah sighed softly. Was it Away
to be her lot to be sacrificed for the
general good of others?
81 never earned any money for my
self, aunt" she said. "And this is
such an excellent opportunity to get q
place in MI. Marchlands store. Sue
Nellis has written to me that there
will be vacancy in the fancy depart
ment very soon, and
"John Marchland is sort of dis
tant relation of ours, too, said Mrs.
Flint. Though I've never seen him,
| knew his mother well. And dare
say he would give you good place
and be kind to you, if you entered his
store. Itwould be an excellent chance
for you to see the world, too. For |
know it's dull place here, my dear,
but 1 don't see any hope of it ! Perhaps
in year OF two we can spare you
better.
So Marah Flint was compelled to
give up the little plan over which she
had dreamed so many pleasant dreams.
For Marah was only eighteen and she
had always lived in the backwoods,
and worn her aunt's old dresses made
over, and waited meekly on grandma
and uncle Abner.
Mr.. Marchland himself, was, per-
haps, little disappointed, when Miss
Nellis, the forewoman, whose father
owned the next farm to Abner Flnt's,
asked him if she should promote one
of the packing girls to the vacant place
in the fancy department.
But | thought you were going to
write to that little unknown cousin of
mine?" said he.
80 | did," said Miss Nellis, but
they can't spare her from home, it
seems. It's u clear case of Cinderella
among the ashes. She is the sweetest,
most unselfsh girl | ever saw; but, all
the same it's Il shame that she should
be buried alive in that sort of way"
Very well, said Mr.. Marchland,
Il suppose she understands her own
business best. Put Julia Finch i'll the
place.
The next day Uncle Abner Flint, to
his infinite am cement, received
brief note from Marchland & CO., ask
ing if it would be convenient for hmm
to receive, as border for few weeks,
a young man from the store, whose
health required change and rest.
Il will be responsible for his board,
wrote Mr.. Marchland. He has only
his own exertions to depend on, and l
am sure l may so far presume on your
distant relationship as to trust you
will receive him kindly"
"Marah," said Mrs. Flint, in some
perplexity, what are We to do. >"
why, take the poor fellow, of
course, said Marah.
But it will make more work, said
Mrs. Flint.
Never mind the work, said CHEEKY
Marah. Il dare say We can manage
it between us.
"Marah always did look on the sun
nv side of things, said Uncle Abner,
who serenely left the domestic admin
istration to his Homenkind.
We don't want no boarders here. J.