The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-12-06
NATHAN'S LESSON.
Taught by a Sensible and blessed
Old Maid"

Old Maid"
''There is no other way, Clara. am
the only relative she has left, and we
must invite her here for the winter.
anyhow. She and John stayed with
father and mother while [ was roaming
here and there. Now they are all gone,
Martha's alone, and it's no more than
right for me to look out for her awhile
I'll write Immediately"
Eyes, Nathan; that is right 1 know,
but can't help dreading it. l always
had horror of old maids;'" and Mrs.
Tracy looked nervously around the plain
kitchen of the little farmhouse.
''You needn't be afraid of Martha;
she isn't very old, and l venture to say,
none of the prying, disagreeable old
maids we read Of.
In spite of his reassuring words, Mrs.
Tracy dreaded the arrival of her hus-
bands maiden sister, who he had not
seen since the day he left his New En-
gland home to try Ids fortune in the
new 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 50 full of devotion to
others, and noble self-sacrifice. 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 the unerring instinct of
childhood, felt the depth of her quiet
kindness, and took her at once into
their loving little hearts.
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 make 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
Clara's anxious, weary face, and re-
peated in a less degree upon the coun-
tenances of their children.
There seemed to be no rest for any of
them. No relaxation in the struggle for
existence. Nothing to vary the wearing
monotony of everyday labor, which,
like some huge Juggernaut, was crush
ing beneath its wheels all that might
have made life sweet and pleasant.
Martha shrank from interfering with
the habits of her brothers 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.
ut is truly eXhilarating to ride in this
bracing air, over these fine roads, es-
peclally with so nice u rig, as YOU call
1t. The buggy is easy and the horses
really fine animals. You must be doing
well now, Nathan
81 suppose | am, Martha; but it has
been a hard pull with losing crops.
sickness, etc. We're in debt vet. but
with hard work and economy | guess
we can make it up in another year"
Then what will come nextP"
81 intend to have a nice large barn.
and some choice cattle; then | shall
build a good house and prepare to take
comfort. There isn't a better farm than
mine for miles around, and | must
make the best improvements possible.
Then, some day, Wen have the best of
everything"
But who will share it all with you?"
''Why, my family, of courser' OPEN
ing his eyes wide with establishment.
"All except Clara, you mean sol
EMMY.
"Why, Martha, how you talk. Tt is
for her I'm working -who else, Ia like
to know?"
''Now, Nathan, just take a few plain
words from your sister, who means
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 work | have your
interests at heart, and would not need
lessly arouse your fears; but | am con-
WINGED that your wife is wearing out.
She must rest from this constant labor,
or your children will soon be mother
Less
Don't, Martha, talk in that way!
Clara is as well as usual. She was al
ways slender and delicate I'd gladly
have kept her in ease, but she knew she
married poor man, and was willing to
work up" He was a little annoyed.
81 doubt not you have been kind and