Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-02-05

willing to work up He was a little
annoyed.
II doubt not you have been kind
and good to her, and now that she has
worked up so far, I know you will be
glad to give her vacation. You do
not realize what it is to care for three
small children and do all the work
that must be done in farm house. She
might have been slender when a girl,
but not careworn. To night if you
look at one of her old pictures,you will
be convinced am right
Suppose I am. what then p
"How much would 1t cost to send
her back to Ohio, for the winter. l can
keep house"
"simply out Of the question. She
wouldn't go anyhow, Martha "
II thought you didn't SNOW it :, but
she is as homcsick as a child to see her
father and mother. She hasn't said so
she never complains; but an unut-
terAble longing fills her eyes and quick
tears when she speaks Of them. Sure
of your consent and my willingness to
keep house for her, she would 60 glad
ly."
"And you think it would do her
good p
"Undoubtedly. and it would be the
cheapest medicine you could give her,
and the surest Think over 1t day or
so, Nathan:
That evening Martha was not sur
prised to see a startled look on her
brothers face, as he closely regarded
his wife, whenever he thought himself
unobservcd. Husbands are often the
blindest of all persons in regard to their
wives, but Nathan was convinced.
That night when they were alone, he
suddenly exclaimed:
"Clara, how would you like to visit
your mother this fall ?"
She looked at him a moment in ST
lence, while wave Of crimson swept
over her face. Turning away, she
said, brokenly:
Don't talk about it, Nat! I know We
can't afford it, and I'd rather not speak
OF it,"
But we can afford it, and Martha is
willing to keep house for me. Now do
you want to 20, dear?"
There was an unconscious tone of re-
proach in his vo ce, and look of pain
in his face, which she could not under
stand.
"Oh, Nathan!" she sobbed. with her
face hidden on his shoulder, don't i'm
agine that love you any tho less, or
am tired of your little house, but I do
want to 90. Just now there is nothing
in the world I want SO much as to see
father and mother"
"Well, then you shall go, little wife.
Don't cry so; l didn't know you cared
so much; but that settles it, you shall
CO."
After Mrs. Tracy and baby were
gone, Martha looked around the unor-
namental rooms, and resolved that
there should be something new-some-
thing bright and pretty-to welcome
back the house-keeper. The front
room" had never been furnished, but
after considering her resources. Martha
thought she could manage it, if she
could persuade Nathan into buying a
carpet.
"A carpet! Why, Martha!'' he ex'
claimed at her proposal, too astonished
to say more What was Clara's old
home like? You don't want her to no.
tice too sharp a contrast on her return,
said the sister, quietly.
II may get a carpet" thoughtfully;
"but see, many other things will have
to follow"
mot, when father and mother died
we were going to divide things.but you
had no home then, and while John and
I staid, everything remained the same
When 1 came sold or packed every
thing and there is big box for you,
which is on the way out here. Besides
bedding and clothing, there are pic
lures, vases, curtains, table spread
and some of mothers nice rugs: They
will help to furnish the room. guess
you can afford to buy a cane seat rock
er and two chairs, and we'll make the
rest
I'D like to know how"
"There are two bottomfess chairs in
the granary; l will ebonize the frames,
cushion seat.i and back, and with strips
of embroidery and heavy fringe they
will be handsome. That old rocker
n b., h%