Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-05-02
SELECTIONS.
AN OLD MAID.

AO"OtiuE uOluIuS WHICH, uduc
one wish for the sunny South Or. for
Italy, for any place which would
make one feel happier than could
this dismal morning in Wisconsin.
And then to think that this train
could not make connection with the
eastward bound train! 1t was hard
enough to stop at such a miserable
little junction at any time, but to
spend three hours here this dark
morning must prove the very refine
ment of torture. There are dozen
passengers who must wait and who
prepare to make the best of their
stay here. One couple, evidently
just married, find the clouds of a
rosy color, and they walk off the
smoky old depot to make tour of
the little town, talking eagerly the
while. Two young fellows wander
uneasily about, reading all the old
tattered posters, glowing inducements
to go West, and the ancient time
tables, which invariably decorate
the stained walls of a country depot.
These young fellows finally uttered
EXPLANATIONS of Impotence at the
dreary monotony, and go across the
street to the hotel, hoping to find
something there more congenial to
them. These young fellows at once
took their departure for the hotel,
and other people stroll out about the
depot and there are left two persons.
a man and woman, who, after little
time, settle themselves to reading to
pass away the weary moments. He
reads his paper, she her book, and
occasionally, woman like, she casts a
look at her silent companion, won
dering what loved ones are awaiting
his arrival and whether he is impa-
tient to greet them, or if he feels a
mans stoicism in regard to it; won.
dering, too, how 1T is that each
woman thinks the masculine lives
connected with hers so full of manly
graces and beauty, and who could
find manly beauty in those rugged
features Then she turned her gen.
tie eyes toward the window and
looked on the dreary landscape,
looked with eyes which saw not out.
ward objects, but were retrospective
solely. An old maid, commonly sup.
posed to be the type of discomfort
ana unrest; but here, evidently, the
type failed, for this face expressed
the utmost Of content. Life had
been filled with much of sorrow for
her, all her bright plans had failed
of fruition; one after another she
had hidden goodbye to them and
had turned bravely again to face the
coming of new future to be peopled
again by her bright fancies all dead
and. gone from her except as they
fingered in memory. And old maid
she is, so far as years 60, but no
home is happier than her little ideal
home. She has filed its rooms with
bright little faces eagerly calling to
mother and the dreamfathe is strong,
earnest, helpful and loving. Her
dream-home is happier far than many
"a fine lady's real home, although she
had not pictured any grandeur about
it. Oh, no, she dreams that the car
pets are faded from much sunlight
and worn from the tread of many
little feet, that there is much plan
ming to make both ends meet, y but
she has imagined unselfishness liv-
ing in this little home, and loving
unselfishnesS can make all trials in
regard t0ways and means seem very
light indeed. Her companion in this
depot is an elderly person, a stout,
large man, with keen eyes and a
mouth at complete odds with the
eyes, not belonging to them appar-
emily. Often eyes do not harmonic
in coloring with the rest of a face,
but generally expressions are strong
ly akin. This man had a sensitive
mouth, one with mournful droop to
it. Those who looked at him caught
themselves wondering which would
conquer-keen, hard eyes or sensi-
tive mouth. He read for some time,
gave quick look at the thoughtful
face near him, and said, abruptly /:
"Not very pleasant arrangement,
this.r
A quick flush passed over the gen.
tie face before him-a flush which
his keen eyes noted instantly and
understood-a flush which told of
the glrlishness get left to this lonely
woman.
"Not that it matters much to me