The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-07-15

teri Ihen 1 sat OOWu ana proposed
TO tell her all about my experience
in the West. Catharine listened po-
iitely for time-she is the politest
person land then gently told me
that she did not care to hear about
my Western life.
An awkward pause ensued, and
at length Catharine remarked:
"Did ever tell you of the offer
Charley had to 60 in charge OF an
excursion to California
remarked that she had never
told me.
"Yes; he could have gone for
nothing, and have remained a month.
The firm wished him to go, and
told him he needed rest. But he
would not go. Charles is such a
hand to stay at home and stick to
business p
Ipleasantly changed the topic. and
began to speak of some ofthe young
lady acquaintanees i had met since
my return, remarking how glad they
seemed to see me.
did you see Hattie Coswell ?
asked Catharine.
"Oh, yes; and she-"
"They say that she is quite well
pleased with Charley But Charley
is a general favorite with the ladies,
although believe he hardly under
stands WHY they flock about him so
or perhaps, indeed, never suspects
that they do at all.p
He has no heart. perhaps" said
/, somewhat acridly.
Indeed, sir, you quite mistakel |
am very sure he has heart, and a
manly one at that. l think he will
pay little attention to the ladies un-
til he has attained his station in
life, and made home for himself;
then, l think, he will not make
much stir about it, but will just gel
married"
Catharine sighed little sigh
which she checked at once. chang
ed the subject. l talked of my bus
mess plans. She listened for time,
and then said suddenly, as if she
had just thought oft:
Charley never talks of business
to US women, although he manages
the business of the whole family
He thinks the men ought to attend
to the business
May the foul fend fly away with
Charley !" thought /.
l gayly fell upon another theme
and asked Catharine to admire my
new coat.
"Yes, it is very pretty" said she
Then, after a moment, Il do think
Charley has the fewest suits, to look
so we'll as he does. But he is eco
nomical in everything. He will
make good husband, Charley willr
resolved for the twentieth time
to murder Charley, and soon after
excused myself and retired.
1t was not long after this / fell
dangerously i'll, being confined tc
my bed for some weeks. My con.
dition became so alarming that
was visited and constantly attended
by Catharine, who proved herself a
most devoted and efficient nurse SC
that although during my conva-
lescence | remember once to have
heard her murmur to herself that
Charley was so strongr') l could
not on the whole find any fault with
her ministrations. Indeed, / am in
clined to think that my sickness
was a dispensation of Providence, fol
during the days of my slow recov.
cry, l had ample time to review my
life, and review it | did, and a very
poor and miserable kind of life
found il. with no purpose and nc
success at ali attached to it. 1t was
not the kind OF life which | admir-
ed, though, singularly enough, l had
never thought of that before, and
probably never would have done sc
had it not been for that convenient
Charley. And then and there re.
solved TO reform, to make the most
of myself. and go steadily to work
with purpose.
When | grew better | called upon
Catharine again | took her whole
hand in mine and told her that
had been fool-and that | loved
her. | told her that l was going
West again. but that / was going to
stick to my business and make a
home-and that loved her. Quite
soon after that | rose to go. Catha-
rine rose also. She leaned toward
me quite imperceptibly, and all at
once | saw that, if wished, it might
all be as it was five years before
With the greatest struggle of my
life, saluted only the tips of her
fingers, and said to her:
"Catharine. my dear girl, am not
worthy to touch your lips now.
When / come back | will be, and
then | will kiss them"
From the other side of my shout
der Catharine sobbed 4:
Il am q'quite sure that Ch-Chss'
lev would. ri-right now !"
God bless you. Charley y thought
L. The Current.