Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-06-06
AN OLD MAIDS LOVE.

coach slowly progressed along q 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, florid, good
humored-looking man, and as l soon
learned from himself, was well-to-do
other was of my own sex-a little, mid
dle-aged lady, brisk and bright, who ap-
pearcd accompanied by silky poodle
and mocking-bird in cage-besdes
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
moro conveniently disposed of, while
won her heart by noticing the little dog
and suggesting that the bird-cage might
be suspended from the ceiling of the
coach.
When these arrangements were effect
ed the little lady settled herself in corr
ner, looked smilingly about her, and
seemed inclined TO be sociablc. Thus
falling in with the grazicr's humor, the
two speedily became chatty and COM
municativc, and il 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-
markedly ordinary and uncvcntful one.
She had been born and always lived on
the 'little farm 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 il all to her niece, Alcthia, who
was considered the prcttiest 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, Mis-.
Allison's brother, was every well off,
and with what she would get from him
and from herself, Alethia would be rich,
and a 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.
The young lady's got fine name in
addition to her other attractions" re-
marked the grazier, good-humoredly.
you think so ?" replied she, looking
pleased. "They wanted to call her after
me and ! should have liked it if / had
had pretty name. But Priscilla isn't
a pretty name" she added. with a light
laugh land, TO make it worse, they call
me Prissy. 1t used to worry me when |
was young, for liked pretty names rs
well rs 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
at last came across Alctha. which SEEM
ed just the right thing. And think it
suits her, only she prefers to have il
Alcthe. That's French you know"
II take il, you know French, ma amp"
suggested Mr. Catlin, in compliment
tary manner.
90, 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 il 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
bcin' so smart, you nat rally looked down
upon the men, and wouldn't bcmcan
yourself To have one of 'em for lord
and mastcr,' said the grazier, with n
good -naturcd chucklc.
The little old maid laughed, too.
1t wasn't because | had an over
opinion of myself. but, somehow the
men knew never suited me-
"Alcbhc the right one hasn' come yet"
he suggested in II cOnsoatory manner
mo. nor don't expect him to come
Of this time Of day. He's staid away too
long if he meant to come at all. After
thirty-live a woman's got no business to
he thinking of getting married and I'm
past thrly-Iivc,h she added, with little
defiant don't care air.
Possible Well, now should take
You for nigh that; and I've always
maintained that nj woman can live TO
thirty without some time bein' in love.
II she don't meet the right one, why,
she II fall in love with the wrong ono,
aud that ; the way unfort nate matches
como about
"Well, sir, I'm past thirty-livc, 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
smiling and blushing II little. But at
that moment sharp exclamation from
the driver, and sudden stop of the
stage-coach caused us all TO look from
the windows.
"What is the mattcr?"
We had no need TO ask. for there,
right before our eyes, in the hot and
dusty road, lay the figure of n man, APP.
parcntly dead, with n small bundle and
stick beside him.
We were all out in u moment. and the
driver, assisted by Mr.. Catlin, lifted the
inanimate form and bore it TO the shade
of the pinc-trees by the roadside. He
was quite unconscious, though not dead,
as we had at first thoughts and while
ran for water from a ncighboring brook,
Miss Allison produced bottle of SMELL
Ing-saits and the driver flask of
spirits. Mr.. Catlin, meanwhile, stopped
down and carefully examined him.
"Ie's not hurt anywhere" he said,
gravely, "but he's i'll, very i'll, poor
fellowm
"What ails hims" we inquired, anx-
lousy.
The grazier looked up aud solemnly
Uttered one word:
Narration -