The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-09-10
Before the Dawn.

UOlly WulCL CIlNllOllSu lIO.
1 certainly had a real fondness for
my homely little wooden house and
atom of inclosure!-the place was my
own, too-and had been acquired by
unaided exertions, by sacrifices, econo-
mic privations, and by the inventions
conceived of necessity. The traces of
my conflict for existence and the i'm
prints of my puny victories, were every
where-on tie carpet 1 had sewed with
aching fingers; on the low walls l had
painted with my own weary hands; on
the barrels and boxes had sawed and
cushioned and dropped into easy chairs
and ottomans and nondescript some
thing which served me as a dressing
bureau; on the bit of garden had my
self spaded and planted; on the fantas-
tic fence where l had nailed every avail
able fragment remaining after my
interior carpentry, and where l had
trained many strange, wild vine and
shrub delved from the woody hollows
just beyond my own suburban locality.
Everything had been created by my
own thought or toll was permeatcd
with my own individuality, and so per-
haps was endeared to me by prestige of
egotistic suggestion!
l had, too, a magnificent view of
wood and hill and water-a poetic and
picturesque view, which was as much
my possession as the air I breathed,
although what 1 viewed was vested in
the titles of mortals whom Heaven and
the world had favored more than me.
"And yet do not know as l should
be quite willing to exchange places with
any of Them" l had sometimes averred
to myself as I had gaZed from my one
humble sitting-room window, festooned
with gold and ruby roses and ivy of a
perpetual emerald green.
The pretty lake yonder, with its banks
of sloping lawn, its fanciful boat-house
and gayly painted boats, belonged to
the Hon. Pumpernickel, who was
afflicted with the govt and an unman-
ageable son! And 1 was certain 1 did
not envy him for his lot in his gorgeous
villa, where he resided wifeless and
alone only for the bacchanalian assem-
blies his hayward heir brought there
occasionally.
The bijou palace beyond was the
home of Mrs. Clarence st. Clare-a soci-
ETY. belle who had made religiously
society marriage. She had carriages
and fine raiment and servants to attend
her; but / should not have cared to
exchange my identity with hers. 1 at
least had health and independence, and
wore no calling yoke of loveless
wedlock!
The substantial yellowish stone man.
sion yet more remote, was the dwelling
of Miss Isabella Wolroth-a wealthy
spinster of elegant mien and exclusive
tastes; coveted none of her proroga-
tives, but yet whenever 1 CHANGED to
contemplate the serene elegance of her
unobtrusively luxurious abode, always
rather more acutely realized how ire
medically I had been snubbed and
sighted by fortune.
. "With her influence and resources,
should sometimes try to enliven the
lonely and encourage the struggling; I
should not limit my benefcence to them
who are already abundantly blessed"
I mentally complained one afternoon
as gazed wistfully toward the quantity
peaked yellow tower just perceptible
through dismal mist and the tossing
greenery of noble oak grove.
Never before had felt so desolate
of heart, so neglected and isolated, as
upon that especial day. Perhaps the
weather had depressed me-fora slug
gish drizzle had chilled the Summer
air, drenched my blooming bit of gar
den, and quite distorted my gratifying
view-or perhaps after ALL some uncon-
fessed jealous pain had for once dis
turbed my passive composure of spirit!
care you not going, Aunt Mariana?
Did not Miss Wolroth invite you over
too?" queried my stately young niece,
coming from the one tolerable pretty
room which / had reserved for an
occasional guest, and looking quite
astonished as she perceived was net
cloaked and bonneted.
Certainly not. Lilias." said l. trying
to speak cheerfully although there was
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