The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-24
AN OLD MAID.

Italy, Tor any place which would MAKE
one feel happier than could this disma
morning in Wisconsin. And then t,
think that this train could not max,
connection with the eastward bounC
train 1t is hard enough to stop a
such miserable little junction at any
time, but to spend three hours here
this dark morning must prove the
very refinement of torture. There are
dozen passengers who must wait
and who prepare to make the best of
their stay here. One couple, evil
IDENTIFY just married, find the clouds of
rosy color, and they walk out of 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 pos
tiers, glowing inducements to 90 West,
and ancient time tables, which invari-
ably decorate the stained walls of a
country depot. These young fellows
finally utter ordinations of impa-
thence at the dreary monotony, and 90
across the street to the hotel, hoping
to find something there more congen-
ial to them. Two ladies at once take
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 occa-
sionally, woman like, she casts look
at her silent companion, wondering
what loved ones are awaiting his ar
rival and whether he is impatient to
greet them, or if he feel a mans
stoicism in regard to it; wondering,
too, how it 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 gentle eyes toward the
window and looked out at the dreary |
landscape, looked with eyes which |
saw not outward objects, but were in
Prospective solely. An old maid, |
commonly supposed to be the type of
discomfort and unrest; but here, evil
IDENTIFY, 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 good.by to them and had
turned bravely again to face the COM
ing of new future, future to be
peopled again by her bright fances-
the old farcies all dead and gone from
her except as they fingered in men,
DRY. An old maid she is, SO far as
years go, but no home is happier than
her little ideal home. She has filled
its rooms with bright little faces ca
gerly calling to mother and the dream
father is strong, earnest, helpful and
loving. Her dream-home is happier
far than many fine lady's real home,
although she has not pictured any
grandeur about it. Oh, no, she
dreams that the carpets are faded |
from much sunlight and worn from
The tread of many little feet, that f
here is much planning to ''make both 7
,nds meet" but she has imagined I'M c
elfishness living in this ideal home, q
Ind loving unselfishness can make all I
rails in regard to ways and means f
eem very slight indeed. Her COM
'anion in this depot is an elderly per- c
on. stout, large man, with Keen L
yes and mouth at complete odds q
With the eyes, not belonging to them t
Often eyes do not har- t
nonize in coloring with the rest of t
ace, but generally expressions are il
strongly akin. This man had a sensi- L
i've mouth, one with mournful d
Troop to it. Those who looked at him "
aught themselves wondering which t,
WOULD conquer-keen, hard eyes, or G
ensitive mouth. He read for some W
lme, then gave a quick look at the s.
thoughtful face near him, and said, o
bruptly: mot a very pleasant ar o
this" b
A quick flush passed over the gentle
ace before him-a flush which his d
cen eyes noted instantly and under Ii
tood-a flush which told of the girl f,
'hness yet left to this lonely woman. o
mot that it matters much to me Il
there | am" he continued. Life Il
amt give me anything harder than fl
We had" w
That is bad thing to say" she
aid, in her timid way. IL
"a true thing, though" he re- Il
bonded, and the corners of his sensi- a,
We mouth dropped little more. 1 OF
'el as if had nothing left to live for. W
y wife died year ago and" here hi
lie voice broke. Distress ever calls tb
me souls out from their reserve, and OF
IRE was such a one. and she said w
lickly: "Ah, but you have all those ia
nished days and months and years su
remember. all the loneliness of her m
G to think of now" sl
"How did you know her life was OF
Vely," he queried, little sharply. OF
e hesitated a moment and then said, XII
nply: 1T must have been, or you fir
'uld not miss her from your living qr
much" tribute to the manly
rita in the face she saw before her sa
ll9h was keenly relished by the III
ner of the face. He sighed and then on
ked for a time out of the smoky ca
ndow, then said: AFTER all, life is -
trange muddle," and, receiving a sa