The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-12-04
miscellaneous.
"The Blessed Old Maid

only relative she has lett, 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 him Immediately"
Yes, Nathan that is right, know, but
can't help dreading it. | always had a hor-
ror of old maids" and Mrs. Tracy looked
neIvously 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 praying, disagreeabe old maids we read
Of"
In spite of his reassuring words, Mrs. Tracy
dreaded the arrival of her husbands maiden
sister, whom he had not seen since the day
he left his New England home to try his for
tune 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 so full of devotion to others, and noble
self.sacritice, 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 ofchidhood,
felt the depth of her quiet kindness, and took
her at once into their loving little hearts.
Miss Tracy although wholly unobtrusive,
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 dis.
covery.
Nathan, in his desire to get on in the
world was missing much that would have
made life pleasant. That this was affecting
the whole family was only too apparent. Ii
was seen in Claras anxious, weary face, and
repeated in less degree upon the counter
ances of their children.
There seemed to be no rest orany of them.
No relaxation in the struggle for existence.
Nothing to vary the wearying monotony of
everyday labor, which, like some huge Jug
gernaut, was crushing beneath lis wheels all
that might have made life sweet and plea
SAINT
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 invita-
ton, one morning, to ride with him to
town.
They were rapidly rolling over the level
prairie road, when Martha broke silence.
at is truly exhilarating to ride in this
bracing air over these fine roads, especially
with so nice rig as you call it. The bug
gy is easy and the horses really fine ami.
mails You must be doing well, now, Ma
than"
81 suppose | AN, Martha, but it has been
hard pull with losing crops, sickness, etc
We're in debt yet, but with hard work and
economy guess we can make it up in
another year."
Then what will came next?'
81 intended to have nice, large barn and
some choice cattle; then shall build a good
house and prepare TO take comfort There
isn't better farm than mine for miles around
and must make the best improvements pos
sible. Then, some day, we'll have the best
of everything"
But who will share it all with you ?"
"Why, my family, of counsel" opening his
eyes wide with establishment
"All except Clara, you mean" solemnly.
"Why, Martha, how you talk 1t is for
her I'm working who else, I'd like to
know"
Nov, Nathan, just take few plain words
from your sister, who means only kindness.
I've had experience, and, in my Judgment,
Clara hasn't vitality enough to take her
through another year of work. | have your
interests at heart, and would not needlessly
arouse your fears, but am convinced that
your wife is wearing out. She must rest
from the constant labor, or your children will
soon be motherless"
Don't, Martha talk in that way Clara is
as well as usual. She was always slender
and delicate. I'd gladly have kept her in
ease, but she knew she married a poor man,
and was willing to work up" He was lit.
tie annoyed.
81 doubt not you have been kind aud good
to her, and now that she has helped to
work up so far know you will be glad to
give her Il vacation. You do not realize
what it is to care for three children and do
all the work that must be done in farm
house. She might have been slender when a
girl, but not careworn. Tonight, if YOU
will look at one of her old pictures, you will
be convinced am right"
Suppose am what then ?"
How much would it cost to send her
back TO Ohio for the winter? | can keep
house."
Simply out ofthe question. She wouldn't
go anyhow, Martha"
Il thought you didn't know it; but she is
as homesick as child 10 see her father and
mother She hasn't said 80, she never com.
Pia's, puS an uhutteiaoie louging His ner
eyes, and quick tears when she speaks of
them. Sure of your consent and my willing
ness to keep house for her, she would 60
gladly"
"And you think it would do her good ?"
Undoubtedly, and it would be the cheap
est medicine you could give her, and the sur
est. Think 1t over day or so, Nathan"
That evening Martha was not surprised to
see startled, anxious look on her brothers
face, rs he closely regarded his wife. when.