Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-01-05

why, Daisy, dear" through sobs
that would not be checked at mo-
ment's notice-''don't mind me. I'm
only tired, dearie-only tired"
Could she have struck deeper?
Tired! AT seventy, housework does
become a WEAKNESS! At seventy, it
may seem as if one ought to rest while
young hands and active feet take up
the burdens. She was very tired, this
patient old woman, who had given her
life's work for others; first, for her
parents; then for an invalid brother;
lastly, for the orphan children; with
such innumerable acts of neighborly
Kindness as only the recording angel
of good deeds knew.
Well might she be tired! 1t was new
to her to be caressed, to have tender
hands lead her to her room and loosen
her dress, tender voice coax her to
lie down.
"Now / will darken the window"
Daisy said, "and you are to rest.
Sleep, if you can, until dinner time"
"But, Daisy you can not make the
dinner"
81 will try" was the quick reply;
and Aunt Mary submitted.
Washing the potatoes, Smelling pease,
frying ham, making coffee, all allowed
thought to be busy, and Daisy sigh
ingly put away some of her day-dreams
over her homely tasks.
81 can not be a lady" she thought
"and John won't be gentleman, but
l will try to pay my share of the
debts"
She had taken off her flounces and
hat, and put on a plain dress and large
check apron before she began to work;
and she was rather astonished, as her
kitchen duties progressed, to find her.
self happier than she had been since
she returned home.
When John came to dinner he was
astonished to find Aunt Mary ''quite
dressed up" as she blushingly said, in
clean print dress and white apron,
her dear old face showing no sign OF
heat or WEAKNESS, while Daisy, with
added bloom and bare white arms, was
carrying in the dinner.
"The new girl, at your SERVICE" she
said, saucily, as she pulled down her
sleeves. DINNER is ready, sir.
But her lips quivered as he bent over
her and whispered; "God bless you,
dear! Forgive me if l was too hasty
this morning"
1t was a merry meal. They made a
play that was more than half earnest
of Aunt Mary's being a great lady who
was to be waited upon, and not allowed
to rise from the table upon any con-
sideration. Dinner over, John re-
turned to his blowing, and Aunt Mary,
firmly refusing to sit in idleness, was
allowed to wash cups and saucers,
while Daisy made short work of pots
and pans.
John said but little as the days wore
on and still found Daisy at her post.
1t was not in the nature of things fol
Aunt Mary to sit with folded hands,
but it became Daisy's task TO in
augurate daily maps, to see that only
the light work came to the Older
hands, to make daily work less of a tot
and more of pleasure.
And the young girl herself was sur
prised to find how much she enjoyed
the life that had seemed to her a mere
drudgery.
With younger hands to carry on the
domestic affairs, they ceased to engros'
every hour of the day, and John en-
couraged Daisy in making use of the
stiff, shut-up parlor as daily sitting
room. A pair of muslin curtains a
| each window were skillfully draped t.
keep out the flies, the center table re
signed its gay vase of stiff artificial
flowers and stand of wax fruit, to NAV,
room for the dainty work baskets fol
afternoon work." and the periodical
John took in.
Over the shiny horse-hair sofa ant
chairs pretty bits of embroidery wer,
draped, and fresh flowers were sup
piled each day. Aunt Mary's caps
her collars and aprons were adjusted
to suit the new order of things. ant
the easiest Of chairs stood ever read,
for her resting time.
And John, bringing to his task the
same will and brains that had carried
him through college, was inauguratins
a new order of affairs on the farm, anC
made the work pay well.
Once more came June day, whel
Daisy sat in the fields, and John stoo'
leaning against the fence beside her.
Four years of earnest loving worl
had left traces upon both young faces
ennobling them. and yet leaving t
them all the glad content that reward
well-doing.
Many hours of self-denial both ha,
met bravely; many deprivations bot
had borne we'll Daisy wore blacl
dress. and upon the hat in Johns han'
was band of Grape, but through
sadness in their voices there yet rang
tone of happiness.
"You love me. Daisy?" John had sail
to her.
when have l not loved You" sh
answered.
"And you win be my wife9 Darling
| Ihave long loved you. but after Aun
Mary was struck down with paralysi