Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-02-15
DOROTHY PINK,

half way up the steep narrow street
of the little village it stood, the tiny
gabled rooted house, whose small lead
en-paned windows overlooked with
sentinel-hke air the modest shop en-
trance beneath, in whose easement was
displayed the stock of feathers, ribbons,
and velvets, which represented the sole
earthly wealth of Miss Dorothy Pink.
Usually the street door stood open,
and behind the dIminutive courter was
seen the pale face of the little milliner
herself but to-day the wind ratified in
vain at the bolts and bars the space
behind the counter was empty, and III
the little chamber above, peering in
tently into the ancient black-framed
looking glass, whose cracked surface re-
hected back the white dimity curtains,
and the glow of the small wood fire,
stood Miss Dorothy herself, engaged
III fastening q knot of blue ribbon at
the neck of her well-worn but freshly
ironed black silk gown.
"Who would think to look at me now
that had once been young" she MUIR
INJURED, surveying ruefully the face that
gazed pathetically back INTO her own.
Il do not think that after to-day |
shall ever wear blue ribbon again.
"It may do very well for the maidens
with their fresh fower-Iike faces, but
not for a woman of thirty-fve, with
streaks OF grey in her brown locks, who
buried her youth long years ago III the
grave of the past.
Something that glittered like dia-
mond rolled down Miss Dorothy cheek,
and fell, spot of moisture on a rusty
fold of her dress.
"What, crying ?" exclaimed Miss
Dorothy incredulousIy, shaking her
head at the countenance in the glass.
Actually shedding tears because
your eyes cannot always remain bright
and your cheeks rosy and when you
are invited to visit cousin SIlas beside
"For shame, Dorothy Pink
'tYou deserve to be left to brew your
lonely cup of tea by your solitary fire
side instead of dining on roast turkey
and listening to the voices of your own
kin -
"Your own kin -
The words seemed to float back on
the still air, and before their echo died
away the face faded from the ancient
mirror, and III its place Miss Dorothy
saw a low celled loom, on whose ample
hearth the great logs burned redly,
shining on the blue delf and pewter
ware tn It lined the generous sideboard,
FURNISHING the old-fashioned furniture
till 1t fairly shone III the flame.
A tall grey bearded man bent over a
white-haired, white-capped matron,
from whose hands the bright knitting
needles had fallen unheeded.
Two handsome dark-eyed lads romped
with couple of setter dogs, and mid
way between them stood young mai
den with fair locks cut square on the
forehead, and falling in shining curls
over her shoulders; a pretty vision from
the smiling open brow to the small
sllpp cred feet that peeped from the
scant folds of her howered silken gown.
A smile of delight parted Miss Doro-
thy's lips, and she clasped one hand
| over her eyes as if to assure herself of
the reality of the vision.
When she looked again the bearded
man, the white haired matron, the dark
eyed lads, and the delicate maiden had
disappeared, and she saw only the visit
/ ful face that always met hers when she
was wont to gaze at her own reflection.
Gone all gone !" she cried Gather,
mother, brothers, and I-Only l am
left What would Dick Weatherbee say
ii he could see me now?
ar ,,.nrI 1,,rl ~ofJga1 IN
even listen TO his suit because he was
poo and i'll my fathers employ.
"How well can remember his honest
rugged face, and the soft light III his
grey eyes-they were handsome eyes,
poor lad when he promised to tol
nard and win gold and fame for my
sake, If would only give him one little
word of encouragement and the pink
rose that | wore at my belt. L smiled
at his words, and threw tue flower
wantonly away.
"The next day he went away, and In
his stead came grim care and dire mis-
hap.
lone by one death slatched my loved
ones away, and not till then did learn
the terrible truth that my honored
father died ruined man, and that
was penniless.
1.-The old HON estead was sold along
with the fertile acres, and Deacon Pink's
daughter came at last to depend fol
bread on the very toll that she had once
so despised."
Poor Miss Dorothy
For years she had toiled and moiled
for years she had lived her lonely life
keeping the door OF memory resolutely
shut, and striving to be content witt
the meagre happiness that fell to hel
lot.
But this frosty November morning
there was no sunshine without or with
in hope unfurled its wings, and fled
away, and the grey leaden sky tha
trowned down on the outside worlo
seemed lifting type of her future life
"And am not brave enough to loof
the morrow III the face" went on Miss
| Dorothy.
"It is rent day. and cousin Silas is {
strict landlord.
81 owe him already for one quarter