Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-06-24

deeper lines oh Archibald Goldihore. Visible
kignaof advancing years were upon him, and
he elaphantipe frmness of his tread was
going He stopped; bis hair was not so gray
as once IL had been. Goldmore, the wise, the
sensible, the miIlionaire, was dyeing his hair
to keep up the appearance OF youth beside his
lovely wife All, lovely young women, what
fools you make Of us withering, elderly meni
And even thelittle mother, 50 long undying
in her energy, begah to show symptoms Of
decline The light step was falling into a
slower movement; the quick motions Of the
frame were seldom seen; she was growing q
little deaf, and every one observed it, though,
with characteristic vivacity. she tried to hide
the failing She began to like quiet-bodily
quiet-and would sit in her ehnir hour nfter
hour; but her mind was as ai,tive and her
tongue as pungent as ever; and often Sophia
would laugh till she was 'ired at the little
woman's quaint remarks ')r droll stories of
days gone by. She commented on everybody
and everything with ths same satire, sense
and absorbed worldliness rs Of old Her two
sons-in-law furnished her with abundant
material for criticism; and Sophia often
blushed to think how heartily she enjoyed
her mothers caustic comments on Goldmore
and Egerton. Both were favorites with the
old woman; but Goldmore's mercantile stiff
ness and Egerton's feebleness of mind were
too tempting for her to resist.
u can hardly keep my cpuntenance, Sophy,"
she used to say, "when, these two men come in
together. One can stand; bit both is more
than mortal can" They generally looked
in after church.l "'Mrs Temple, how do you
find yourself this morning9 Pretty wellF"
She hit off Goldmore's voice to the note.
And then: 40, how are you! Tremendously
warm day, isn't it! I do dislike tremen-
dously warm dayp" delivered exactly as
Egerton would Thereupon the little satfist
would fall back in her chair laughing, and
pleased to see Sophia laughing
"Now, really, mamma, you are too bad"
Sophia would say.
dNot bit, Sophy. You like it, or you
would not laugh And, beside, why need the
old man be bore and the young man block
head? o, may the day never dawn when
do anything but laugh at stupid or fool"
Still Sophia was kept in wonder and fear
by her mothers growing turn for economy
In some things she was becoming almost
penurious, and the question: What will it
costls which once she disdained to ask of any
thing that pleased her, was now never off her
lipA There was positive alarm about her
manner, too, when any new expense was in
view, which was full of grave suggestions;
and Sophia quite tried to reconcile herself to
Goldmore's opinion that her mother had
lived beyond her means, and was now trying
to eke out her means. Beside, the old woman
would sometimes, in a covert way, try to
sound Sophia as to what she would do when
left alone in the world, and once she actually
asked her if she had any idea of ever making
money for herself. This uneasy question
pointed only too plainly in. the direction of
the practical Goldmore's observation, that
Mrs. Tempe was living on an income that
would perish with her, and that Sophia would
be left in poverty. But beyond conjecture
no one could go, for the old woman Kept her
secret, and would not suffer any interroga-
tions To Sophia she confded that she felt
little alteration in strength but even to her
she would not admit that the cause was old
age.
II am little exhausted, Sophy," she said
one day. "You see, have worked hard at
enjoyment for great many years. l shall
do just what johnson used to make our peach
trees and vines do at the Beeches, Let me
rest for a few months, and next year I shall
recruit, regain strength, Sophy, and be as
lively as ever. o, Sophy, Sophy," she cried,
clapping her withered hands together with
Sprightliness which, whether real or feigned,
was equally amazing u shall enjoy the
world, relish it, smack my lips over. it, girl,
for years and years to come"