The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-08-23
SELECTED SKETCH.
LOVE ON A FARM.

Mrs. Torrance had been entertaining q
Quilting Bee that afternoon, and she had
just got the frame ont of the way, the dishes
washed up, and the apartment generally
"tidied, when there came meek tap al
the door, and there in the yellow April twi.
light stood a small figure in a gray travelling
shawl, and holding bag
Sakes alive !" said Mrs. Torrance, who
be you ?"
81 am Emily" said the girl "Please lei
me in, for l am tired and cold. I've walked
all the way from the station, and I've had
nothing to eat since noon"
well, neverl" said Mrs. Torrance.
You're the city schoolma'am, amt you, as
went out to live with Cousin Shadrach ?
And he's dead, and the money has all gone
to the Baptist Widow and Orphan Fund !
You didn't make much by that move, did
your. And you've come to us now, though
we wasn't stylish enough for you before
Well, come in, come in |"
And Mrs. Torrance, who was essentially a
kind-hearted woman, albeit she could not
repress the sheer that rose to her lips, NOV
ed the low rocker to the fire, and flung
another log on the andirons.
Cousin Shadrach had been the family APP
pie of Discord ever since they could remem-
ber He was rich, he was eccentric, he was
grabbed. He had shut the door in the face
es of all his relations, until, toward the last,
sick and feeble, he had signiied his desire
that Emily Alden should come and take care
of him. And Emily had gone.
There had been a spice of jealousy in the
family as regarded Emily, for long time.
Emily had been looked upon as "proud
and "stuck up" because, instead of enter
ing factory or learning the dressmakers
trade, she had elected to be teacher. She
had never visited Job Torrances family
until now--now that Cousin Shadrach had
willed his money to the Baptist Widows and
and Orphans-her own mother was dead. and
her step-father, a pornpous old wholesale
grocer, objected to step-children, SO that
there seemed to be no other haven of refuge
left to her.
Who could blame Mrs. Torrance for a
momentary feeling of triumph, when Emily
Alden came thus to her doorstone in the twi-
light Of that April day.
But she helped her off with her things,
made cup of ten for her, and finally escort
ed her to little room under the roof-tree,
where the floor was covered by ahome-mads
rag-earpet and the bed decorated with O
rainbow "Job's troubles" Quilt, and you
could look out of the window into green
ing meadow where a whip-poor-win planted
its melancholy refrain.
~ hope you'll sleep well" said Mrs. Tor
rance eve eat breakfast 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
birds in the old orchard would permit any
one to sleep. And o. 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 below her case
ment
What is she like, mother p said Job,
Junior, who was milking.
"Oh, she looks well enough" Mrs. Tor
rance carelessly responded. Little and
dark, with big shady eyes, and real Tor
rance mouth. Dosen't talk q great deal, and
is dressed shabby, as one might expect"
Poor thing, !" said Job, pityingly.
"Well," said Mrs. Torrance, sharply, 81
can't say but what think she deserves all
she's got. Them Aldens always were as
proud as Lucifer."
You'll keep her, mother, of course !"
az suppose So" said Mrs. Torrance. al
don't suppose she's got anywhere else to
CO."
There was no more delicious DOING for
Emily now. She rose hurriedly, dressed her,
self and came down stairs. 3a
"Aunt Dorcas," she said, as she encoun-
tered that lady frying ham and eggs over the
kitchen fire, what Is there in this neigh
borhood for q woman to do2''
"Eh ~ said Mrs. Torrance in surprise.
"To earn my living, meant" explained
Emily. :" Is the district school supplied with
teachera"