The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-04-04
wooDsTowN J., FRIDAY, a. 1884,

mind, but they were like clouds that foated
in the blue, blue sky, high above my castles,
while the morning sun shone down on turret
and dome. Bathed in its bright and beauti-
full light how they glistened and glttered
scintillating like rays from thousands of dia-
monds. The freshness of spring was about
me- The prism of hope tinged them all,
those aims and purposes that crowd, that lay
far away in the dim, ideal future.
/ was at home again. The large square
white house, with wing on either SIDE You
sec, the architectural craze had not affected
our town. According to Ruskin it would
hardly have passed muster, outwardly at
! least. Within all wore the same quiet ele-
gance it had in our days of plenty.
Fathers speculations had failed. He had
! lost his entire fortune save the house and the
furniture it contained. Still, we strove to
keep up appearances. But it was enough to
drive any man distracted. Four grown daugh-
tiers to support and no income.
told mother at breakfast that intended
to apply for position as teacher in the acad-
envy. Mother talked great deal, but did not
approve of my wearing myself out in
school room.
Father said he would resume his practice
|
chial trouble, I fear he will never be able to
do so. However, while at school, deter
mined to teach, and fitted myself accordingly.
! Father says with my high-strung tempera-
ment should realize Dante's " Inferno"
Be that as it may, shall certainly apply
for the privilege of-making myself miser-
able, shall I say?
Claudia is calling and I must answer by
my presence.
ooh, Rue, here is letter from Aunt Jeru-
sha Come quickly. am just dying to know
its contents"
Entering the family sitting room received
and opened the letter from Aunt Jerusha.
There was no installing the peculiar, long,
precise penmanship.
There is an idea, belief, call it what you
may, among certain people, that PERSONS
peculiar characteristics may be told by exam
lining their handwriting 1t always struck
me very forcibly in Aunt Jerusha's case, but
then am rather wilful where Aunt Jerusha
is concerned. I have hardly yet forgiven her
for my euphonious name. But I am diverg-
ing.
''What does she say 2" said Claudia impati-
emily.
.'That she needs companion is in poor
health. In short, invites me to live with her."
replied.
''And leave Circleville and its delightful
society,"" said Irene.
"And be shut up with sick woman"
added Claudia.
Helen only looked at me with her searching
eyes. How grave the child is Perhaps it's
the atmosphere of care and perplexity that
surrounds us all at present.
Here was, indeed, new turn to my affairs.
Aunt Jerusha, in spite of her name and her
money, was neither outlandish nor stingy.
But there was one weakness she had; she
made god of work Could she find naught
else to do 1 verify believe she would have told
the servant girl to turn over the boards about
the kitchen door and scrub them on the other
side
Her home was on the outskirts of little
town, sort of Sleepy Hollow, it always
seemed to me. With such surroundings and
Aunt Jerusha sick, the prospect was certainly
aught but cheering in its outlook.
Yes school teaching would be far more
preferable. But Aunt Jerusha is sick and
lonely, and 1 concluded I must go, for public
as well as private good.
The girls bemoaned my fate, mother sighed,
and I, well, 1 took it as inevitable, and bore
it accordingly.
Gro BE CONCLUDED.