The Ottawa free trader., 1886-02-20
TWO W0MEN'S LIVES.

town where l was pOrn, uney sleep III the
graveyard there. There is nothing about
their tomha to distinguish them from their
neighbors in that quiet spot; yet the TO
memhrance Of them comes "a me, since have
passed my youth, with comprehension and
a pathos and reverence that makes them
different AMI nearer than the rest.
They were very unlike In looks tsrnpera-
ment and surroundings, yet they impressed
me from my earliest years with o wondering
awe-even the awe they inspired was 70
different that il seems to have been two dis
tinct emotions. could not tell what it was
that made them, TO my childish mind, so at
tractive and 50 wonderful, but that there was
n difference between them and the PEOPLE
round about I recognized, believe, before ]
could talk.
One Of my haroines was . delicate, soft
voiced VirgiHian, Of gracious type. Her hus-
band, a most courteous gentleman, seemed to
have no business in life save to dispense
hospitality. They had moved TO Illinois 10
be in free state They had black servants, "
whereas other people had "hired girls" Her
dwelling had galleries all around, and other
houses had "porches" She never did any
household work herself whereas most Of the
wives there were busy all the time. Her
hands were soft, her dresses beautiful; her
gait, her drawing voice, even her leisurely
laugh betolrcned time TO spare. She sat much
of TIN, time on the shaded gallery, and taught
her children their lessons, and hfe ran for her
in sunny grooves
The othcr-Aunt NIFTY Inskip-was an old
maid, with magnificent, large, dark eyes and
satiny hair brushed smoothly in deep loop
ON either side her face, and tucked neatly be
hind her ears She was not a fussy, fdgety
old maid, but so brisk busy and capable that
even her voice had an exhilarat
ing, clear sound, like q distant bugle,
rousing all laggards along the line.
Her very name, it seems to me now,
betokened her character. III she had teen
only Aunt NIFTY she would have been q soft,
sympathetic creature whom all the world
wept out their troubles upon; but the
"Inskipr gave the balance wheel, and Aunt
NIFTY Inskip she was called by old and young.
She was always ready to help. Our towr
could no more have got along without her
than without the courthouse and church bell,
but she never wasted u tear or a sentiment.
She was sense clear through, and that, when
people are in tight place, il much better
than sentiment. II one was very i'll, Aunt
MlJlS lllSklD was lIlt NOlullt'i bu o'' w h'h
people could be trusted with no ono else,
Aunt NIFTY Inskip took charge, and never a
wink of sleep did she give herself when she
was the watcher Were people in sore straits
and perplexitics, she was the clear bralnei
pilot who took them through. Was there
church fair, IL was q failure without Aunt
NIFTY lnskip at tbs helm. She was at the
head of our sanitary commissions; she was at
the head of everything that demanded courage
and clear sense and work. She was not II bit
cross or mean in her leadership, The more
difficult the project, the more power she put
forth--that was all. Nothing seemed impOs-
sible with her / do not know how Aunt
NIFTY InSNip supported herself and family,
for she was ALWAYS working for the public,
and there was no man in the house, and she
had a half dozen dashing young uieces who
did nothing but maze the house lively and
have a good time--that Is, Mt least, | thought
so then, but suppose they really did oil the
household duties, but were 20 merry at their
work that it seemed only play. They were
splendid company. and all OF them had spien-
did eyes They married well, and became
brilliant and notable women in the several
cities to which they moved; not one Of them
ever descended 10 a commonplace existence;
their energy and gay spirits kept up TO the
last. Were they not Aunt Mittys own
incest Their devotion ~ their aunt was
really lovely. They quarreled only as to
who should have the most OF her They came
often from their distant homes to visit her,
and if she was the least bit willing, the whole
six came rushing by steam TO her side.
In all her life she never seemed 10 have any
personal persleSity or sorrow. She never
had care apparently, about the girls az
they were growing up, or an anxiety that
that was worth breathing. There was always
the happy face, tho splendid flashing eyes,
the strong, alluring, wondrous capability that
needed no help, that could not only stand
alone, but hold up the weakness Of others.
What entertaining stories, even in old age,
she could tell; what sparkle the atmosphere
of q room took On when her hearty laugh was
heardl
These two woman--cne black-eyed, brill
iant aggressive: the other Of fair, delicate
beauty, shrinking nature and helpless ways
were staunch friends; IL was after their death
that found they were heroines, both.
Mrs. Williamson possessed under her mild
ways u strength Of endurance that fate could
not destroy. She had in early life determined
to free her slaves as soon as She came Of age,
She left her family-what that meant to a
southern girl few knew-and came to state
that in IL, customs was as unlike
Virginia as foreign land Her
husband echoed her beliefs, however;
she had the old servants of her childhood
with her in the new home; even the house
was built in roomy, southern style; beautiful
children were given her. She had lies
sweetest gifts But she had also every trial
that was hardest for such a nature to
endure She lost children by death and her
heart was broken 10y the reckless hfe Of her
only son. Her husband died under cloud,
which had 1t been lifted, would have disclosed
the crime OF one near to them both. Her
heart~-that loving, lowing heart-was twisted
and Tortured by every pang that could
wrench She only grew swoeter, and saintlier,
and more careful If the little woes OF others
She seemed, in fact, always thinking q
others. She it was who knelt with the
bereaved while Aunt NIFTY ordered the
funeral She rad exquisite tact, and that re-
6nenlent that is SO unobtruSive and 10 com
torting III sorrow. Not fower grew ia heI
garden be was consecrated She knew whcro
q blue crucus would best breathe out its little
lesson of life Oh, 50 many little <indnesses she
did just with her foweIs Moist, dirty little
han. 10 .ha rks.Al over hrovn sNpaat Shrrils As