The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-03-30
GRANDMA DREW
BY NJ. ARTHUR.

Grandma Drew, besides being a
grandmother to many by relationship,
was, from her widespread kindness to
everybody and everything, also by
courtesy grandma to many more. Grand
ma, as was her custom, was sitting by
her window early this spring morning,
watching the sun climb high enough to
peep into the chambers of later riscrs to
make them uneasy in their sleep, and
finally rouse them to the fact that a new
day was beginning to break on them.
She was noticing the dcw-ladcncd leaves
wet, SO wct-waiting for their share of
warmth and light from the sun. She
noted a poor family opposite waking to
life and labor. She wished she was
strong and active once more, so that she
might help the poor, sickly little woman
with her two big babies and enoug'
work to make a strong man wilt under
the load.
81 have grown so helpless, 80 useless,
that l wonder the Lord leaves me here
to cumber the earth any more" thought
Grandma Drew, with a sigh; 81 only
need attention and care, for which I can
make no return. I wish the time had
come to take such a useless person to
rest"
Then she suddenly sat up with a smile
on her sweet old face and looked more
cheerful, for she knew some one was
coming in, and If she could do nothing
to help in this great, busy world, she
would, at any rate, cast no cloud over
those who might.
AS the day went on, and the family
became active. many heads pccpcd in
the door with n greeting, 'sGood-morn-
ing, Grandma" and the hearty, cheerful
response she gave sent away the corners
with some reflected sunshine from the
dear, bright old face and the kindly
voice, which had helped them through
many tasks hat might else have proved
wearisomc and long.
Then Grandma settled @ her knit
ting.
''Thank the good Lord, T can still use
my hands. | must try to make something
pretty for Clnre's new home" And at
that minute there was Clare herself at
the door-not the blithe, happy, smiling
girl OF yesterday, but one upon whose
young shoulders q world of woe seemed
to be fastened.
"Grandma," said Glare, in a low, des-
ponding voice, ''may I come in?"
"Ot course you may come in, my
dcarie, and just as welcome will YOU be
as birds in spring time
"But-but-I don't like, to bring
trouble to you, Grandma, dear but l can
keep it all to myself"
my darling, what is the matter2'
said Grandma, in a low. soothing voice
and she took Clarc's hand.
so Grandma! l am Just the most un-
happy girl in all the world" sighed
Clare.
"Why, you dear child! and only
yesterday you told me that this part of
the earth did not contain one half so
happy as yourself"
But that was yesterday" SAYS Clare.
YEARLY; ''then 1 felt so sure Tom
loved me, but he don't: he is tired of
me he is very tired of me-"
'To begin WITH" says Grandma, very
quietly, but positively, 81 feel sure that
is a great mistake"
81 wish l was as sure" saws Glare.
sobbing as if her heart would break
''but it is no mistake, Grandma; it is
just a hard, ugly, stubborn fact"
Now, look up ut me, Clare; let me
see your face; you thought all was right
when you and Tom were up here yester,
day a~ftcrnoon?'
ooh! yes, Ibid then, and I was So
80 happy" signs Clare.
"Then tell me, dear, clearly, where
did you find the little rift that is spoil.
ing all your music"
II will" AVS Glare, brac;ng herself
up totcll Inc Uncomfortable facts. "You
see, I Yves rc,y anxious to go 70 Minnie's
last nigbt-not that I vas so eager to
) SEQ Minnie, but it is such y nice, long
walk tn her house, and / wa. thinking
what a delicious chance it was for q
good chat with Tom. Well! l proposed
j, never thinking he would not be de.
ligh,s.a to go, and-and do you know,
Tom wouldn't go-just w%ouldn't?"
Did he say I soon't'" asked Grand.
ma.
NO" said Glare, "worse than that :
much, much wolse."
"Well, let me Judge, dear, for it viii
take a great deal to make me change my
opinion Of your good Tom"
Fl is not mine, and ] don't believe
ss-'.r $3.50 ,.H- sS.HE-s~ -.E.s. .u##a