The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-09-13
THAT BLESSED OLD MAID

iusiie her hero Tor Tho winter, snybos
Sac aud Johu stayed with iaiber snc
mviher sLile was roaming here snd
there. Nov they are al gone Martha
slone. and lie no more tban right for mi
me 10 loot oui for her awhile III write
immedistsly."
Yes. Nathan, that 10 right, kpow. bu'
cAns help dfesds1s IL. alvsys hsf
horror of old msids:' sni Mrs Tracy
looked ncrvously sround the plain kitchen
Of The little farm house
'.Ycu needn't be afraid Of Msrtha; she
isot very old. and. 1 venture TO say, none
Of the trying. disagreesble old maids We
read Of.
Ia spite OF his rsassuring wor'is Mrs
Tracy dreaded the arrival Of her husband .
maiden sister, whom be had not seen
since the day be left his New England
home 10 try bis fortune 10 the North. vest
Bot. = Clara soon discovered. there
VS. nothing 70 fear 10 the quiet, ssd faced
woman Who came TO them. whose life had
been 90 full OF devotion 10 Others. and mo-
ble self sacrifice, that there had been no
time for growing hard and bitter because
,me Of life's sweetest blessings were de-
MED her.
The children. Bert and Mabel and baby
Ray. with the unerripg instinct Of child
hood. felt the depth Of her quiet kindness,
and took her at once into their loving
little hearts.
Miss Tracy. although wholly unoblru'
sivs vas observsnt. This. together with
the interest she felt 10 her brothers fam
ily, led her. before she had been many
weeks sn inmate OF bis house, 10 make 3
discovery.
Nathan. In bis desire to get on 10 the
world. vas missing much that would have
made life pleasant. In thinking so con
stsntly OF the future. be was losing all the
sweetness Of the present. That this was
affecting the whole family was only too
apparent. 1t Was seen 10 Clsra's anxious.
weary face. and repeated in less degree
upon the countensnces Of the children.
There seemed to be no rest for any OF
them. No Taxation in the struggle for
existence. Nothing TO vary the weary
moDotony Of every day labor, which. like
some huge Juggernaut. was crushing be
uesth its wheels all that might have made
life sweet and pleasant Martha shrank
from interference with the habits Of her
brothers family; but looking ahead, she
saw for them nothing but sorrow and dis.
appointment, and felt that something
must be done to save them.
Watching for IN opportunity to talk
alone with Nathan. she gladly accepted
bis invitation one morning TO ride to town
with him.
They we're rolling rapidly over the level
prairie. when Martha broke the silence.
ut is truly exhilarating in this brscing
cir. over these fine roads. especially With
40 nice rig Is you call it. The buggy
10 easy and the horses really 6ns snimals.
You must be doing well now, Nathan.
II suppose ! am. Martha; but il has
been hard pull, with losing crops. sick
ness. etc. We're in debt yet, but with
hard work and economy l guess we can
make ii another year.
Then what will come next ?"
Il intended TO have nice lsige barn
and some choice cattle; then I shall build
4 good house and prepare to take COM
fort. There isn't better farm than mine
for miles around. and must make the
best improvement possible. Then some
day. we'll have the best Of everything
"But who will share it with you ~
why, my family, Of course" opening
bis eyes wide with sstonishment.
"All except Clara, you mean" sol.
,mnly.
why, Martha. how You talk /! Its for
ier am woiking-who else I'd like TO
xnow p
"Now. Nathan, just takes few plain
words from your sister, who means only
I've had experience, and 10 my
Judgment. Clara hasn't vitality enough 70
AXE her through another year OF hard
york. l have your interests at heart, and
vould not needIessly arouse your fears;
,nt sm convinced that your wife is wear.
ng out. She must rest from this constant
sbor. or your children will soon be moth
rless."
'.Dou't Martha, talk in that way
lara IL - well - ususl. She Was always
lender and delicate. I'd gladly have
,ept her in esse. bnt she knew she mar
led poor man. and vas williog to work
Ip."
He vas . little annoyed.
II doubt not you have been kind and
ood to her. and nov that she Las helped y
~ork up 20 lar. know you will be glad
. give her vacation. Yon do not realize ?
that II is to care for three children and
o all the work that must be done 10
Inn house. She might have besa slsn. !
er when Girl but not careworn. To- ,
.sht. IL yon will look at one OF her old
ictures you will be convinced am right .
Suppose | am. what then y
"How much would II cost TO send her =
sck to Ohio for the winter ? can keep
ouse."
Simply out Of the question. She q
onld not 60 snyhov, Martha !.
81 shought YOU didn't know IL. bat she q
- homesick ~ child 10 SEQ her moth /.
! and father. She hssa't ssid 80. sh 9 b
ever complains. bat 40 uDuttersbIe long y
IN ala hev avas snd anick tears vbeu y