Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
THE LESSON OF 4 LIFE.
HARRIETTE R. SHATTUCK.

Mendon graveyard, then up over the hill to
the worn old rustic seat under the oak tree.
To judge by their travel-stained appear
ance, the two friends had wandered there
while waiting for train, and were strangers
to the place. They were so deeply en-.
crossed in conversation that they sat down
almost mechanically, without observing
their beautiful surroundings, or noticing
that quite near them there was another man,
who, indeed, was more than half hidden by
the huge tree in whose shade he was resting.
One of the travellers wore that settled, con-
tented look which comes from happy dis
position and prosperous circumstances. He
was well-dressed and in all respects "to the
manner born" When he spoke, which he
did often, his voice had that cheerful,
hearty ring which bespeaks the good CON-
panion and trusty friend. The other man
was younger than his friend, and his attire
showed that attention to'.details which marks
the young society gentleman. His manner
was the most quiet imaginable; and while
his companion talked on in quick, nervous
way, he sat looking straight before him, re-
plying in monosyllables, if he replied at
all Yet it was the younger man
and his interests that were the
theme of conversation, as was
manifest when the elder, with an air Of
forced resignation, said: "The fact is, John,
1 believe this is the one thing can't help
you in. 1 think 1 could in everything else
under the sun but this; but here you have
stumped me. I can't advise you; and I'm
sure don't know what 1 should do under
the circumstances. Then, alter a pause,
he resumed more seriously: ''You see, had
no such problem in my marriage. In fact,
I never had any problems at all. Every
thing has gone smoothly with me from
the time was born. 1t is so with some
people One day l made up my mind it
was time to marry and settle down; and
the very next day l met Annie, who
lust suited me, and who had exactly the
nico little fortune 1 needed to make US both
comfortable, and who accepted me as soon
as asked her, and has made me happy ever
since. There were no heroics about it. We
liked each other, and have agreed frstrate
so far, and are likely to continue comfortably
on for the rest of our lives. You see.
haven't any data to judge your case by
don't you?"
''Oh, yes, indeed!'' said John, and then
relapsed into silence staring straight be-
fore him across the white headstones down
over the river, and so beyond to the sea.
The elder man looked inquiringly at his
companion, began to speak, hesitated, and
then went on: 81 wouldn't worry about it
If were you, anyway. Why, my boy, it is
making you i'll. What odds does it make
after all? One girl is very much like an
after YOU marry her. You say she doesn't
know you care for her, so you are safe there
You'll forget her alter while, and love
the one you marry, as I said before. You
know YOU thought you loved Mabel Dame
once"
"Oh, yes, indeedP' responded John
again; but added, ''That was before l saw
Eleanor" Then rousing himself with an
effort he went on: "The truth of the matter
is simply this, Andrew, as 1 told you.
don't know what to do. Since 1 knew
Eleanor 1 simply try to think care for
Mabel: but can't bring myself to the point
of asking her to marry me; for when I even
imagine myself doing so, Eleanor's face in
terposes, and 1 simply want to fall down
and worship her. 1 argue it all over to N.Y.
self, over and over again, hour after hour.
Mabel is beautiful and good and accom-
plished. She would make any man happy
but me. Her father and mine are friends.
They want us to marry. she has a hand
some fortune, which will set me on my feet
in my profession, and make nv way easy.
1 think she cares for me, or would. In fact,
everything was as it should be, until saw
Eleanor Maynard. Eleanor-but l can't
argue about herr'
Again he sank into moody silence, and
his friend, as much for his own relief as
for Johns, took up the theme and went on:
"EleanOr Maynard is pretty, beautiful, per-
haps; but most persons would call Miss
Dame far prettier. Eleanor Maynard works
for living, and a poor living it is, too.
She is only fairly well educated, your father
would be disappointed, and you-well, you
would have to work hard on nothing a wear
till you built up a practice. Not an at
tractive picture. eh?"
'fOh, no, indeedl' said John-his inevita-
BILE response when there was nothing to say;
land yet" Here silence again fell,
and Andrew, having no more to say, yielded
to his friends mood and was silent
also. Presently he looked up and around,
observing for the first time the beauty of
their surroundings, and at length exclaimed
half aloud, "Well, that is curious; and to
his companions surprised look responded
by pointing out to him two gravestones side
bv side little way in front of them.
''Look, read there, and see if it isn't
strange" he said. John looked and saw
two plain white stones, bearing each the
same inscription, alike except as to names
and dates. One of them read: "In memory
of Mary De Long, wife of Honorable Ed
mund L. Stanwood, died August z, 1912,
aged % years." and the other: 'iIn memory
of Mary Farland, wife of Honorable Ed
mund L. Stanwood, died August z, 1916,
aged q years"
''Yes, it is strange" said John, after
reading the two inscriptions slowly aloud.
''Two Marys, both the wife of one man, and
both dying so young and so near togetheri
There must be sad story hidden in those
four years!'
"I wonder how many more Marvs there
were," laughed Andrew, who was as usual
inclined to take things lightly. ''None
buried here at any rate. Probably the third
Mary outlived the good man."
''Wait," said John, "here is his own stone:
Edmund L. Stanwood, died December 10.
1856 aged Is years Just think of it.
Forty years after the death of the second |
Mary. How interesting to learn their his |
tOryi"
"Oh, very," laughed Andrew; and he /
was going on with his jest in spite of his |
friends seriousness, when he was inter- |
rupted BY voice behind thea.
f'Pardon me, but 1 could not help over /
hearing you" 1t was the gentleman who |
had been sitting under the tree, unseen by |
them.
'I have beer sitting here quite near you,
though you did not see me. You seem so
interested In nv fathers history that per-
haps can enlighten you"
The two friends hastily apologized for
their unwitting impertinence, ior which
there was no need, however as the newcomer
had enjoyed their discontinue sufficiently
to atone for any displeasure be might have