The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-17
THAT BLESSED OLD MAID.
BY LANTA WILSON SMITH.
a HOME STORY.

"There is no other way, Clara, I'm the
only relative she has left. and we must
invite her here for the winter, any way.
She and John stayed with father and
mother while [ was roaming here and
there. Now they are all gone, Martha is
alone, and it is only right for me to look
out for her awhile"
eyes, Nathan, that is right, know, but
can't help dreading it. I always had a
horror of old maids" and Mrs. Tracy
looked nervously around the plain kitch-
en- of the little farm house.
"You needn't be afraid of Martha.
She isn't very old, and, venture to say.
none of the prying, disagreeable old
maids we read off,
In spite of her husbands reassur-
ing words, Mrs. Tracy dreaded the arriv-
al of his maiden sister, whom he had not
seen since leaving his New England home
to try his fortunes III the new West. But,
as Clara soon discovered, there was moth
ing to fear in the quiet, sad-faced woman
who came to them, whose life had been
SO full Of devotion to others that there
had been no time for growing hard and
bitter because some OF life's sweetest
blessings had been denied her.
The children, Bert and Mabel, and
baby Ray, with the unerring instinct of
childhood, felt the dep.n of her quiet
kindness, and took her at once into their
loving little hearts.
Miss Tracy, though wholly unobtru-
sive, was naturally very observant. This,
together with the interest che felt il her
brothers family, led her, before she had
been many weeks in his household, to
make 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 pres
emit. That this was affecting the whole
family was only too apparent. 1t was
seen in Clara'a anxious weary face, and
repeated in less degree on the counte-
nances of their children. There seemed
to be no rest for any of them; no relaxa-
ton from the struggle for existence;
nothing to vary the weary monotony of
every day labor, which like some huge
Juggernaut was crushing beneath its
wheels all that might have made life
sweet and pleasant. Martha shrank from
interfering with the habits of her broth
er's family, but, looking ahead, she
saw for them nothing but sorrow and dis
appointment, and felt that something
must be done to save them.
Watching for an opportunity to talk
alone with Nathan, she gladly accepted his
invitation, one morning, to ride with him
to towr. They were rolling rapidly over
the level prairie, when Martha broke the
silenee:-
at is truly exhilarating to ride in this
bracing air, over these fine roads, espe-
cially with so fine rig as you call it.
The buggy is easy, and the horses are
really fine animals. You must be doing
well now, Nathan?'
II suppose l am, Martha, but it has
been hard pull, with losing crops, sick
ness, etc. We're in debt yet, but with
hard work and economy, guess we can
make it up in another year."
"What then, brother?"
81 intend building large barn, and
buying some choice cattle; then 1 shall
build nice house and prepare to take
comfort. There isn't better farm than
mine for miles around, and must make
the best improvements possible. Then
some day we'll have the best of every
thing"
"But who will share it all with you?"
"Why, my family, of coursep' opening
his eyes wide with establishment.
"All except Clara, you meap," solemnly.
"Why, Martha, how you talk 1t is for
her I'm working; whom else, I'd like to
know?"
''Now, Nathan, take few plain words
from your sister who means only kindness.
I've had experience and in my Judgment
Clara hasn't vitality enough TO take her
through another year of hard work. L