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

tho only relative she has left, and W.
must invite her here for the winter
anyhow. She and John stayed with
father and mother while l 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, l know
but can't help dreading it. 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 lifes
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 a 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 Claras anxious face, and
repeated in 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 Juggernsut, was
crushing beneath its 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 Nathan, 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 exhilarating to ride in this
bracing air, over these fine roads, es
pccially with so nice a rig, as you call
it. The buggy is easy and the horses
really fine animals You must be do
ing we'll now, Nathan.
Il suppose l am, Martha; but it has
beer hard pull, with losing crops
sickness, etc. We are in debt yet but
with hard work and economy I guess
we can make it up in another year"
"Then what will come next?"
81 intend to have nice new barr
and some choice cattle, then l shal
build good house, and prepare te
take comfort There isn't a better farm
for miles around, and l must make the
best improvements possible. Then some
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
cmnly.
"Why, Martha, how do you talk ! Il
is for her Pm Norking-who else, rt
like to know p
Nov, Nathan, take just few plair
words from your sister, who means onl!
kindness. I've had experience, and il
my Judgment. Clara hasn't vitality
enough to take her through another
year of hard labor. | have your inter
est at heart, and would not needlessl
arouse your fears; but am convinced
that Your wife is wearing out. Sh'