The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-12-30

BY SANTA WILSON: SMITH.


the only relative she has left, and W,
must invite her here for the winter, any
how. She and John staid with fathe,
and mother while | was roaming here
and there. Now they are ali gone. Mar
tha's alone, and it's no more than right
for me to look out for her awhile. III
write Immediately"
Yes, Nathan; that is right, l know
but | can't help dreading it. always
had horror Of 'old maids;'" aud Mrs.
Tracy looked nervously around the plain
kitchen of the little farm house.
You needn't be afraid of Martha: abe
isn't very old, and venture to say none
OF the prying, disagrceable old maids we
read Of"
In spite of his reassuring words. Mrs.
Tracy dreaded the arrival of her husbands q
maiden sister, whom he had not seen
since the day he left his New England
home to try his fortune in the new North
west.
But, as Clara soon discovered, there
was nothing to fear from the quiet, sad
faced woman who came to them. whose
life had been 80 full of devotion to Others.
and noble self-sacrifce, that there had
been no time for growing hard and bitter
because some of life's sweetest blessings
had been denied her.
The children, Bert and Mabel and baby
Ray, with unerring instinct of childhood,
felt the depth of her quiet kindness, and
took her at once into 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 30
constantly of the future, he was losing ell
the sweetness of the present. That this
was affecting the whole family was only
too apparent. II was seen in Clarais
anxious, weary face, and repeated in
less degree upon the countenances 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 everyday labor,
which, like some huge Juggernaut, was
crushing beneath its wheels all that might
have made life sweet and pleasant.
Martha shrank from interfering with
the habits of her brother's family; but,
looking ahead, she saw for them nothing
but sorrow and disappointment, and felt
that something must be done to save
them.
Watching for an opportunity to talk
alone with Nathan, she gladly accepted
his invitation, one morning, to ride with
him to town.
They were rolling rapidly over the
level prairie road, when Martha broke the
silence.
cit is truly exhilarating to ride in this
bracing air, over these fine roads, es-
pecially with so nice rig as you call
it. The buggy is easy and the horses
really fine animals. You must be doing
we'll, now, Nathan"
81 suppose l am, Martha; bat it has
been hard pull, with losing crops, sick
ness, &c. We're 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 barn and
some choice cattle; then shall build q
good house, and prepare TO take comfort.
There isn't better far. for miles around,
and must make the best improvements
possible. Then. some day, we'll have the
best of everything"
"But who will share it all with you ?"
"Why, my family, Of course y opening
his eyes wide with astonishment.
"All except Clara, you mean." SOL
emnly. .T'''t'
"Why, Martha, how you do talk! It
is for her I'm working-who else, I'd like
to know ?"
"Now, Nathan, take just few plain
words from your sister, who means only
kindness. I've had experience, and, IN
nv Judgment, Clara hasn't vitality
enough to take her through another year
of hard labor. I have your interest At
heart, and would not needlesaly arouse
your fears; but am convinced that your
wife is wearing ont She must rest from
her constant labor, or your children will
soon be motherless." pr =
"Don't, Martha, talk in thas way
Clara is as we'll as usual. She waA always
slender and delicate. I'd gladly have
kent her at ease, but she knew lehe mar
ried poor man, and she wasswiIling to
work up" A'.N
He was little annoyed.
"I doubt not you have been kind and
good to her, and now that she has
worked up 90 far, know you will b
Glad to give her vacation. You do NOT
realize what it is TO care for three small
children and do all the work thas must
be done in q farm hoase. She might
have been slender when girl, bnt moi
careworn. Tonight, If you will look d
one OF her old pictnres. yoa Will % con
vinoed I am right
aSapposs am what then r 81
aHow much would il cost % send be-
bsck 10 Ohio for the winter 4 csu kseI
house. :.
-aSimply ont Of ths qnpnsi0n: 81
vouldn't 70 anyhow, Marthss Z
Il thoaght yoa dida't kas~ 4 b'