Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-11-15
The Dawning Of The Day.

W. l"'A ccoA AAaWH eOSSSHci HlOA Z
than sisters usually are, after mar
rage, by the sadness of our positions.
Left orphans at an early age, bach
elor uncle had taken us to his home,
and we thought to his heart, until
we were married.
Gala, at the age of sixteen, had
married a gay young man who led
her sad life. He seemed never to be
happy unless at some low dancing
party or among his drinking compan-
ions; if she demonstrated with him
harsh words were sure to follow; and
as her little home often lacked the
necessaries of life, her lot had been q
hard one. But he at length, poor
fellow, died of his excuses, leaving
Gala a sad young creature of only
twenty summers.
Two years before poor Charles
death I too had married, and my
husband, too, was gay and bright.
His worst fault was that he was o
young sailor. But my uncle did not
quite discard me, as he did my sister,
perhaps because he would have lack
ed a housekeeper had he sent me
away; yet many were the bitter words
that I had to listen to after Harry's
ship had sailed and he did not return
from my suspicious Uncle Jacob.
It was two years since had heard
from Harry, and the little stock of
money he had left me had entirely
given out, when / received piteous
letter from my sister, telling me that
she was very i'll, that her husband
was dead, and that she needed every
thing, clothes, loving care, and mon
ev. / took this letter to my uncle's
room, with the tears creeping down
my cheeks, and / heard him grumble
as I opened the door,
"Blamed hard lines on man to
have two girls natural born fools''
/ laid the letter before him with
some misgivings, remembering the
careless words Gala had addressed
to him when she left with her Lus-
band four years ago, and which /
knew were unforgiven: The stern
lines on Uncle Jacobs face deepened
as he read.
"Aha! she's got just what told
her she would get"
"But, uncle, may / not go for her
and her baby and bring them homer"
"Here? A sick woman and squat
ling brat? did not think you were
such O fool!D
'But, uncle" l urged, Sits Celia. p"
'It's a fool?" he shouted. Don't
you think a crying grass widow is
enough to have around without a
drunkard's wife, with brat thrown
in?r
81 shall go to her Immediately re-
turned ], choking down my feelings.
$50 if you wish to-" he screamed.
'sBut if you do, don't you ever
come into my house again-don't
you dare to."
"Oh, uncle, must gol It's my
own sister: could never rest again
if l did not go to her."
"Yes, yes, that's always the way
For-sake those who give you bread
to eat, and clothes to wear Marry
rascals, every girl of you, run through
everything, then come coaxing back
again to be supported! 1 told that
girl what kind of bed she was max
ing for herself, now let her lie in it. 2
"But, uncle" / answered, sobbing
''you have everything, a home and
servants to wait on you, thousands
of dollars in money. You have been
very kind to give me home, but
still poor ella has nothing. / must,
indeed l must help her."
'Helpl Pretty help you'll beln
he sneered as / left the room.
But | sold some ofmy costly cloth
ing and l went. / found my sister
but the shadow of her former self,
with puny little babe in her arms.