Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-02-05
Mechannshwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Feb 5, 1885,
That Blessed Old Maid.

l
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 I 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"
"Yes, Nathan; that is right, | 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 farm house.
"You needn't be afraid of Martha ;
she isn't very old, and I 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, 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 that quiet,
sad faced woman who came to them,
whose life had been so 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, Bart and Mable, 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 obedient.-
This. together with the interest she
felt in her brothers family, led her,
before she had been many weeks an in
mate 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
preseLt. That this was affecting the
whole family was only too apparent. 1t
was seen in Clara's anxious face, and
repeated in a less degree upon the
countenance of the children.
There seemed to be no rest for any
of them. No relaxation from the strug
gle for existence. Nothing to vary the
weary monotony Of every day labor
which, like some huge Juggernaut, was
crushing beneath it's wheels all that
might have made life sweet and pleas
ant.
Martha shrank from interfering with
the habits of her brothers family; but
looking ahead, she saw for them moth
ing but sorrow and disappointment
and felt that something must be done
to save them.
Watching for an opportunity to talk
alone with N'It than, she gladly accept
ed his invitation one morning to ride
with him to town.
They are rolling rapidly over the
level prairie road, when Martha broke
the silence.
1t is truly celebrating to ride in this
bracing air, over these fine roads, es
pccially with so nice a rig as you cal
it. The buggy is easy and the horse;
really fine animals You must be do
ing we'll now, Nathan.
Il suppose | am, Martha; but it ha'
beer hard pull, with losing crops
. sickness, etc. We are in debt yet, bu
with hard work and economy CUES!
we can make it up in another year"
Then what will come next?"
81 intend to have a nice new barr
and some choice cattle, then l shall
build IA good house, and prepare t.
take comfort There isn't better farm
for miles around, and l must make tn
best improvements possible. Then SOM
day We'll have the best of everything.
But who will share it with you?"
why, my family, of course" open
!, ing his eyes open wide with astouish
ment.
"All except Clara, you mean" sol
emily.
, "Why, Martha, how do you talk |
. is for her Pm Norking-who else, II
| like to know
!, Nov, Nathan, take just few plail
t words from your sister. who means onl
C kindness. I've had experience, and il
s my Judgment. Clara hasn't vitalit.
enough to TAKE her through anothe
h year of hard labor. have your mt sr
s est at heart, and would not needlessl
8 arouse your fears; but am convince'
o @b,t vour wifa ia wnarinp ont Sh