The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-07-01
AN OLD MAIDS LOVE.

L had fallen into QOZe as Jne stage
coach slowly progressed along a smooth
and sandy country road. Being the only
passenger so far, had rejoiced in the
luxury of undisputed possession, and
was not overpleased when being aroused
by the stopping of the vehicle, | ascer-
tanned that we were to take in two other
passengers.
One of these was burly, forid, good
humOred-looking man, and as | soon
learned from himself, was well-to-do
grazier of the name of Catlin. The
other was of my own sex-a little, mid
dle-aged lady, brisk and bright, who ap-
peared accompanied by silky poodle
and a mocking-bird in cage-besides
the usual basket, umbrella and parcels.
She entered the coach smilingly, apollo
giving for disturbing me, as. | removed
my own parcels from the opposite seat,
then proceeded to arrange her effects
with the air of one who had Just taken
possession of lodgings and was putting
them in order. The grazier, though
evidently as much stranger to her as
TO me, kindly assisted by pointing out
how the umbrella and parcels might be
more conveniently disposed of, while l
won her heart by noticing the little dog
and suggesting that the bird-caSe might
be suspended from the ceiling of the
coach. .....
When these arrangements were effect
ed the little lady settled herself in cor
ner, looked smilingly about her, and
seemed inclined to be sociable Thus
falling in with the grazier's humor, the
two speedily became chatty and COM
municative, and it was not very long be-
fore had learned the whole of Miss AL
lison's history. Indeed it did not take
many moments to relate, being re-
markably ordinary and uneventful one
She had been born and always lived on
the ''little farm,n which was now her
own, having been left to her by her pa
rents She was not rich, she said, mod
estly, but had more than was sufficient
for her own wants, and she meant to
leave it all TO her niece, Alethia, who
was considered the prettiest girl in the
county of Gates, and had taken the
highest prizes for drawing and French
at the Mount Prospect Academy. She
was only farmers daughter it was
true, but she had very dainty and deli
cate ways, and had never been forced to
do coarse work. Like herself, Alethia
was an only child, and her father, Miss
Allison's brother, was every well off,
and with what she would get from him
and from herself, Alethia would be rich,
and match for any young man in the
county. And Miss Allison tossed her
head and looked brightly around, APP
parently very proud of her niece,
Alethia.
1.-The young lady's got a fine name in
addition to her other attractions" re-
marked the grazicr, good-humoredly
you think so ?" replied she, looking
pleased. "They wanted to call her after
me- and | should have liked it if had
had a pretty name. But Priscilla isn't
pretty name," she added, with light
laugh; land, to make it worse, they call
me Prissy. 1t used to worry me when
was young, for liked pretty names as
well as other pretty things, so resolved
that my niece should be more fortunate
than myself in that respect. Well, when
she was week old, looked over all the
books | could find about the house. and
ut last came across Alethia, which seem
ed Just the right thing. And think it
suits her, only she prefers to have it
Alethe. That's French you know"
''Itake it, you know French, ma amp"
suggested Mr.. Catlin, in a compliment
tary manner. .....
80, no; | had no advantages of edu-
cation, which I've often lamented over /:
and that was why insisted upon Alethia
being sent to Mount Prospect Academy.
and offered to pay for it myself if her
father wouldn't. / think should have
made good scholar" she added, with
half-sigh, "for had natural liking
for books and pictures. used to write
poetry, too, when | was girl.''
Shouldn't wonder, ma am And
bein' SO smart, you nat rally looked down
upon the men, and wouldn't bemean
yourself to have one of EN- for a lord
and master,' said the grazier, with a
goOd-natured chuckle. -
The little old maid laughed, too.
1T wasn't because l had an over
opinion of myself, but, somehow the
men | knew never suited me.n
"Mebbe the right one hasn' come vet "
he suggested in a consolatory manner.
"No, nor don't expect him to come
Mt this time of day. He's staid away toe
long if he meant to come at ALL After
thirty-five a woman's got no business ia
be thinking of getting married-and L m
past thirty-tive,'' she added, with little
defiant don't care' air.
Possible ? Well, now should t take
you for nigh that; and I've always
maintained that no woman can live &c
thirty without some time bein' in love.
If she don't meet the right one, why,
she'll fall in love with the wrong one,
and that's the way unfort'n nate matches
come about" HH
well. sir, I'm past thirty-five, as I've
said, and very certain am that I've
never been in love, and never shall be. -
She said this very positively, whIle