The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-19
SEECT STORY.
THAT BLESSED OLD MAID.

"'rh,rc is no other way, Claia. Tn
the only relative she has left, and we
must invite her here for tn" winter,
anyhow. She aud john staid with
father ami mother whllc was ioam-
ing here and there. Vow th,y are all
gone Martha's alone, and its no
more than right for me to look out for
her awhile. I'll write immediately
"Ycr, Nathan: that is right, know,
but cant help dtcading it. always
had II hor or OF old maids ! ' and
Mrr. Tracy looked rrivously around
the plain Kitchen OF the little farm
house.
"You needn't be afraid Of Martha
she isn't very old, and venture to say
none of the prylng, disagreeable old
maids we read of.
In spite of his reassuring words,
Mrs. Tracy dreaded the arrival ot her
husbands maiden sister, whom he had
not seen since the day he left his New
England home to try bis fortune III the
new Northwest.
But as Clara soon discovered there
was nothing to fear from the quiet,
sad-faced woman who came to them,
whose life had been so full of devo-
ton to others, and noble self-sacrtice,
that there had been no time for grow
ing hard and bitter because some of
life's sweetest blessings had been de-
MED her.
The children, Bert and Mable and
baby Ray, with unerring instinct of
childhood, felt the depth of her quiet
kindness, and took her at once toto
their loving little hearts.
Miss Tracy, although wholly unob-
trusive, was naturally very observant
This together with the interest she felt
in her brothers family, led her, before
she had been many weeks an inmate OF
his house to discovery
Nathan, in his desire to get on in
the world, was missing much that
would have made life pleasant. In
thinking so constantly of the future,
he was losing all the sweetness of the
present That this was affecting the
whole family was only too apparent.
1t was seen in Claras anxious, weary
face, and repeated in a less degree up
on countcnaGces of the children.
There seemed to be no rest for any
of them. No relaxation from the
struggle for existence. Nothing to
vary the weary monotony OF every
day labor which, like some huge Jug
gernaut, was crushing beneath its
wheels all that might have made life
sweet and pleasant.
Martha shrank from interfering with
the habits of her brothers fam.
lily; but, looking ahead, she saw for
them nothing but sorrow and disappoint
ment, and felt that something must be
done to save them.
Watching for an opportunity to talk
alone with Nathan, she gladly accept.
ed his invitation, one morning, to ride
with him to town.
They were rolling rapidly over the
level pra,rie road, when Martha brok,
the sie ce
"lt is truly exhilarating to ride il
this bracing air, over these fine roads
especially with so nice rig, as yor
call it. The buggy is easy and the
horses really fine animals. You mus
be doing well now, Nathan
81 suppose / am, Martha but it has
been hard pull, with losing crops
sickness, etc. We'er in debt yet, but
with hard work and economy | guess
we can make it up in another year
Then what will come next?'
81 intend to have nice large barr
and some choice cattle; then | shal
build good house, and prepare tt
take comfort There isn't Il bette
farm for miles around and must max,
the best improvements possible. Then
some day, we'll have the best of every
thing"
"But who will share it all with you?
"Why, my family, of course" open
ing his eyes wide with astonishment.
"All except Clara, you mean sol
emnly.
"Why Martha how you do talk /
is for her I'm working-who else /,
like to know?"
""Now, Nathan, take just few plail
words from your sister, who mean
only kindness I've had experience
and, in my Judgment, Clara hasn't vi
tality enough to take her through an
other year of hard labor. | have YOU
: interest at heart, and would not reed
: lessly arouse your fears; but | an
convinced that your wife is wearin!
:. out. She must rest from her constan
r labor. or your children will soon b
motherless."
a Don't, Martha, talk in that way
/, Clara Is as well as usual. She was al
!; ways slender and delicate. I'd gladl
4 have kept her at ease, but she kneV
she married poor man, and she wa
willing to work up
He was little annoved.
: 81 doubt not you have been kin,
= and good to her, and now that she ha
= worked mp SO far. know you will b
: glad to give her a vacation, You d
J: not realize wnat it is to care for thre
:. small children and do all the wor
, that must be done in n farm house
She might have been slender when
girl, but not careworn. To might,
you will look at one of her old picture
0 you will be convinced ! am right"
Suppose | am; what then p
GLOW much would IL cost 10 sen