Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-09-28
A FORLORN HOPE.
JAMES FRANKLIN FIT

IT is very matter-of-fact kind of
story; but it is my own, and it is true.
From girlhood up, have been little
used to the pleasures and enjoyments
that are the common lot of other wo-
men. Only year was between me and
the end of my school-days, when the
death of my mother made me the nurse
and constant attendant of morose and
fretful invalid; and in this vocation the
next twenty-five years of my life We're
passed. The invalid was my father;
we two We're the only survivors Of a
large family.
1t had been sad, iill-ordered house
hold. Ny father [ never remember in
any other way than as nervous, mis-
anthropic hypochondriac, combining him.
self to the house, and keeping my
mother on perpetual $50" in waiting
upon him and attending to his whims.
There was story about them which I
have supposed to be true, though
nothing of the kind did I ever hear
from either Of them. 1t was that he,
in the anger arising from quarrel with
the woman he loved, offered himself to
my poor mother, whom he did not love.
Poor woman!- her welded life was one
long, accomplishing misery; and when,
in my twentieth year, she went to her
rest, my father turned to me to fill her
place with as much confidence as though
lie were inviting me to fine entertain
ment
Children must obey their parents,
Salome; that is the Scriptural com
mand. A good child ought to have
no higher desire in life than to be use
tul to her parents. The ancient Romans
understood and practiced this virtue
thoroughly. fear we are outgrowins
it."
l looked at the thin figure and
wizened face OF the speaker as he sat in
lis dressing-gown and slippers, com
fortably propped up by the cushions Of
the sofa, with book Of prints before
him. I thought Of my poor mother
and her long life Of toll and sacrifice fo'
this man, who had never loved her
locked at the future, and for the first
and last time in all those twenty-tiv
Years, was as rebellious as it is in my
meek, patient soul to be.
That is all true, father, but l dom
see the use OF one person devotlne
every hour of her life to another, a
mother did to you. Since, we ar'
wealthy and have servants, why cant
one of them be trained to wait on you
sometimes, and so relieve us of part
the burden? I'm dutiful enough, to
ther indeed I am, but [ want to
And then his shrill, querulous voic'
piped in, and his long, lean finger wa
shaken menacingly.
"Salome Mendenhall, never tell M
that you are dutiful OF flial, while yo7
utter such abominable sentiments.
won't be waited on by hired people.
want that affectionate and duteous serv1c
to which have the right. Now undel
stand me, child, once for all: If you
natural inclinations and Promp'
ings are not sufficient to Undue
You to bestow upon me you
best care, then I will appeal to seif-i
terest. If you don't do as you sho1ll
by me, I'll leave every dollar TO I'll
Home for the Friendless."
1t is Il mystery to me how 6vere'
Burch found me. My domestic SLAYER
had been going on for year. wel
nowhere and saw nobody, and neVe
made new acquaintance. The lot
the servants was far better than mln'
tor they had their Sundays out an
could talk with each other.
He told me that he was attracted
my face as he rode by the house. Il
told me SO sincerely, without smllme
so it must be that he, the only man
the world for whom ever cared, real
saw something in that plain, homel
face, which others did not see. he mac
some absurd errand to call, and as
for an interview with the LADY OF u
hove. L. Io1 rono | flOOIl