The Portland daily press., 1884-12-25
SENTERED As sECONDA
kCLASS MAIL MATTERe

Chow can | make other people happy
when my heart is breaking?'
''Nay, dearie, there's naught breaks the
heart that's built on the rock OF trust, and
when the storm comes such heart makes
itself beacon for driftin' mariners, There's
some don't need but glimmer, and there's
some can't steer into port without stiddv
light. Twas for such as you the Lord lcum
Ito each you how to se'd your light out.
Let your light so shine before mem
so Aunt S'omy you don't know how it
is with me. am one who couldn't learn
that, and yon never needed teaching"
Aunt Salome made little pause before
answering, and when she did speak her
voice again faltered slightly, and there was a
far-seeing look in her eyes, as if she had a
vision of something that had once been
hard to bear, and was not now wholly pain
lese.
"Pll tell you about somebody who thought
the way you do, and how she cum to change
her mind. She was young and healthy when
her storm riz, and instead of gittin' in trim to
weather it out, she let herself beat about till
she was dimantled; and when she got her
senses 1t was too late to do nothin' but re-
pent Dear, she's laid on a sick bed more
years than you've lived yet, and she's seen
some she might have saved sink in spyin'
distance. Isabelle, for the children's sakes
be brave.'
Then she folded her hands together and
closed her eyes, as if she desired to be left
alone little while. lying quite still and think
ing restful thoughts. The girl made no re-
ply, but, bending to the faded cheek kissed it
reverently, wetting her lips with the tear
that stood there, and went away, with those
last words ringing in her ears,-'Isabelle,
for the children's sakes, be brave"
Il can't help it," she said to herself. on
her way to the kitchen. ''Aunt S'lomy is
right am wicked-but can't help that.
either. She does not know me, not at all:
because have always shown the bright side
OF my character to her, keeping my tears
and froWns downstairs that might not dis
turb the peace that pervades the very air of
her room, she thinks my capabilities for
good as great as ever hers were Could lie
helpless, year after year, uncomplainingly,
!
palnP No, no, no! | am strong, but
haven't that kind of strength. No doub. in
time shall have gotten SO used to thinking
about 1t that shall be able to keep locked
In my heart what now can't withhold from
my eyes and voice, however hard I try to
control myself; but to expect me to be cheer
ful and glad n0aU-this dreadful Christmaa
1 10
difference will it make to the children? They
will ind presents in their stockings, they
Will have turkey and plum pudding for din
ner, and they will play by themselves all day
| long. Ny sorrow means little to them per
sonally; it is not as if | were to live thus for
ever, injecting their sunshine with INV
gloom. They don't heed mas frettine why
should they mind nay silenceP Probably
they don't notice it; that is, no one but Pris-
cilla.''
Isabelle entered the kitchen, where her
mother was dong such cooking as would
have sufficed large and happy family bent
on unlimited festivities.
1--WE come to help you," she said. ''Aunt
Stony wanted to be alone, and Pve done
all the necessary mending. 1 thought Pris-
sy was here.'
Mrs. Morgan, who was standing at table
manipulating dough with skilful fnge r..
turned peevish face to her daughter.
81 should have called you, but 1 vyanted
the mending done. Dear mel dor, ,,t know
as shall ever get this great cooking under
way. Peel those apples, and taste the mince-
meat. Is it spiced enoughp'
"What made you undertake Q so muchp',
"Well, don''t know as IL is worth while
such small family as we, We got this wear.
but | thought would, seeing folks alvavs
do. Good gracious, Belle, your hair looks "A
II you hadn't combed it to-day! Twist it up
tight before you Come helping me. You don't
take any pride in fixing up, now. Dear mel
poor Noelp'
Where's Prissy% asked Isabelle, quick
ly
In t'ae sltting-room, hemming dish-tow-
els. Isent her there to keep the children
from under my feet"
f"fhe childrens Why, the boys ought to
De at workp'
i "Well, you know they won't mind me:
and since you've lost interest in everything
they've had pretty much their own wav.
Mans throat Is sore, and Chris leases her so
she is as cross as bear; and 1 can't get
Mark to feed the hogs. That makes me
think,-we must ask Hiram down o kill the
hogs and poultry for market. The pork
barrel is almost empty, and if the children
keep having sore threats, one after another.
they'll soon reach the bottom. Dear me. II
seems shame to begrudge your children
scraps for their throats when there are so
many hogs in the pen. We've never been
so behindhand as we are this winter"
1.-The boys must go to work at once. and
we need Prissy. Nan shall be kept quiet
picking raisins. Where are the raisins.
map"
"On the top shelf. If you'll make them
mind, it'll be deed of charity. 1 do wish
you didu't take it so to heart-him, mean.
VI course it's dreadful sffliction-the first
time he sailed master of his own craft.-and
named for you, too. knew she wouldn't
prove seaworthy, for he day we launched
her the crows flew over nv hundreds oon,+