The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-04-11
SKETCHES FROM cIRcLEvILLE.
BY RENA Fam.
HER SPHERE-CONCLUDED.

HER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
THE REAL.
Miss Jerusha Hilton, although not in her
usual health, had followed the maid of-all-
work from garnet to cellar, ito see every
thing squared away " as she expressed it.
The spare chamber had been aired and
cleared of all imaginary dust fresh linen, re-
dolent with rose geranium and lavender, was
spread on the miniature mountain called the
bed The curtains were looped back and it
was pronounced S. fit for queen" The
table was spread, and Miss Jerusha was wait
ing the arrival of her niece and namesake,
Miss Jerusha Hilton.
Suddenly she spied the carriage coming up
the lane that led to the house. In few
minutes more she was welcoming her niece
Rue noticed her aunt seemed more softened
in her tone and manner, and, being warm
hearted girl she felt more kindly toward Aunt
Jerusha than e'er before.
After partaking of the nice supper and hav-
ing little chat she retired, musing that =" if
it was not such an uncanny place, or if she
only had some companionship, some one of
similar tastes, etc., perhaps she could be con-
tented after all
Aunt Jerusha has taken boarder, after
much coaxing and persuading on the part of
the minister, whose friend he is.
Mr.. Melton the boarder, is pleasant-look-
ing gentleman, with kind and urbane man
ners. He is seeking rest and recreation.
To-day | received a letter from Chester
Elton, Mays brother They are having de-
lightful tour I received one from May some
time ago, filled with trifing little affairs. She
seems never to look beyond the surface of
things in life. Such butterfly existence.
Slipping the sweets here and there pleasure
her chief aim It's too bad, but the whole
family are the same Chester, a perfect
Adonis in appearance. With the vast wealth
he will inherit he is apparently with no noble
purpose in life. With their means and leis-
ure what heights would I attain. With what
different eyes would see Europe,
Aunt Jerusha is certainly changed in many
respects since her sickness. She totally sur
prised me once, when she found me writing a
short article, by telling me that at one time
she had "fully intended to be an authoress "
She said her father was only in moderate
circumstances, her brother, (father), was in
very delicate health. Her time was spent in
nursing him and at work. But all the time
the most beautiful stories kept weaving them
selves out in her brain; but she never found
the time to put her thoughts on paper, nor
the time for the necessary preparation of
reading and study AS she grew older her
parents died. By applying herself diligently
and with a round of unceasing toll she had
held ON to the farm" Father grew up and
finally graduated all through her noble effort
When the desired leisure came it was too
late to change her habits, SO she 'just went
on making money and looking after her work. ="
Shall my ideals, too, crumble with the
touch of time?
One thing shall always do, that is, love
and respect Aunt Jerusha, whose life, with
all it's outward seeming of want of beauty, is
far grander than any romance her fertile
brain could ever have created.
The buds and blossoms of June have ripened
into October's golden fruitage. Still am
with Aunt Jerusha. What lessons have /
learned in these months that are past What
encouragement 1 have had to perform my
1ife's duties, all, as for the Master!
When 1 feel at all disheartened that one
little word duty completely changes me.
What once seemed distasteful is now done
willingly. 1t is the dear Fathers will con-
corning me. 1t is my duty to perform it.
When the irksome task is done, the lesson it
contained thoroughly learned, in his own
good time will the seeming hardship be re-
moved. If not, it is his will.
Aunt Jerushas illness had left her in weak
state. The pastor and his wife have spent
many pleasant hours with us. Mr.. Melton is
still here, but expects soon to leave us. He
is that highest type of manhood, christian
gentleman. l think he is in moderate cir
cumstances, although he pays literally for
his board. But he is quiet in his tastes,
with no effort at display.
/ expect to spend a couple of weeks at
home, when / am to return for the winter.