Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-04-29
TINT BLESSED OLD MAm"

how. she ana Jbhu Hidltu WIN i"V"''
and mother while 1 was roaming here and
there. Now they ARE all gone, Martha
alone. and it's no more than right for me
10 look out for her awhile. III write I'M
mediately.'
eyes. Nathan, that is right, I know, but
can't help dreading it, / always had a
horror of old maids" and Mrs. Tracy
looked nervously around the plain kitchen
of the little farmhouse.
''You needn't be afraid of Martha she
isn't very old and venture to say none
of the prying, disagreeabe old maids we
read Of
In spite Of his reassuring words Mrs.
Tracy dreaded the arrival of her husbands
maiden sister, whom he had not seen
since the day he left his New England
home TO try his fortune in the new west.
But, as Clara soOp discovered, there was
nothing to fear from the quiet, sad-faced
woman who came to them, whose life had
been so full of devotion TO others and no.
BILE self-sacrifce 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, Mabel and baby
Ray, with the unerriug instinct OF enid
hood felt the depth of her quiet kindness
and took her at once into their loving lit
tie hearts.
Miss Tracy, although wholly unobtru-
siye, was naturally very obseryant This,
together with the interest she felt in her
brothers family, led her, before she had
been many weeks an inmate of his house,
TO make n discovery
Nathan in his desire TO get on in the
world, was missing much that would have
made life pleasant. In thinking so con
stantly of the future he was losing all the
sweetness of the present, That this was
affecting the whole family was only too
apparent. II was seen in Clara's anxious,
weary face, and repeated in less degree
upon the cOuntenances of their children.
There seemed to be no rest for any of
them. No relaxation in the struggle for
existence. Nothing to vary the wearing
monotony of everyday labor, which, like
some huge juggernRut, was crushing be
meath its wheels all that might have made
life sweet and pleasant.
Martha shrank from interfering with
the habits of her brothers. family; but,
looking ahead, she saw for them nothing
but sorrow and disappointment and felt
that something must be done 10 save
them. Watching for an opportunity to
talk alone with Nathan, she gladly accept
ed his invitation one morning 10 ride
with him TO town.
They were rolling rapidly over the level
prairie road, when Martha broke the ST
lence
SIT is.truly exhilarating To ride in this
bracing air over these fine roads, especial
ly with so nice n rig as you call it. The
buggy is easy and the horses really fine
animals. You must be doing well now,
Nathan"
81 suppose | am, Martha, but it has been
a hard pull, with losing crops, sickness,
etc We're in debt yet but with hard
work and economy guess we can make
it up IN another year.
"Then what will come neXtg'
II intend TO have q nice large barn and
some choice cattle; then | shall builu
good house and prepare to take comfort.
There isn't a better farm than mine for
miles around, and must make the best
improvements possible. Then, some day,
wen have the best of everything"
"But who will share It all with youY'
"Why, my family, of coursel' opening
his eyes wide with establishment,
AN except Clara, you mean solemuly. .
why, Martha, how you talk 1t is for
her I'm working who else, ia like to /
know
Now, Nathan, just take few plain
words from your sister, who means only /.
kindness. Eve had experience, and, in
my Judgment, Clara hasn't vitality enough .
to take her through another year of hard .
work. | have your interests at heart and .
would not noedlessly arouse your fears. .
bu. am convinced that your wife is .