Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-10-30
MARGERY.
How She Went Home at Last,
After Many Sad Experiences.

How She Went Home at Last,
After Many Sad Experiences.
The driver gave an extra flourish to his
whip as the stage drew up before the inn
Of the little village in which was to spend
the next year Of my life.
How distinctly every incident Of that
evening comes up before me! 1t was my
first experience OF being among strangers,
and although our old DOCTORS words: "If
you persist in staying another year in this
climate will not answer for your life,"
kept ringing in my ears, would have given
every thing to be at home once more in my
native town.
The motherfy- looking landlady pressed
kiss upon my tear-stained face and then
showed me my room-a cozy, old-fashioned
bedroom, such as would at any other time
have delighted my heart. The supper bell
rang, but it was impossible to eat with such
lump in ones throat, so still stood at
the window gazing at the almost-deserted
street.
The sun sent its last ray over the mount
ain, the drowsy tinkle of the cow bells
echoed through the air, when suddenly my
attention was attracted by an unusual COM
motion in the street below. A crowd Of
boys were following in the wake of such a
fantastic-looking creature. She was tall
and straight as an Indian, with great
masses of black hair falling unconfned over
her shoulders. Her clothing was such as
was commonly worn by the villagers, but
she walked with the air of a Princess, and
the flowers that adorned her person added
a look of weird magnihcence. On her head
was crown made of the brilliant sumac
leaves, and a brooch of the mountain ash
berries famed at her throat.
AS the crowd drew nearer a pathetic
voice could be heard above the laughing of
the boys:
"Don't make so much noise, it hurts my
head, and can not hear if he Is coming.
Listeni don't you hear the sound of wheelsl
Surely, oh surely he will come soon."
There was something so sorrowful in the
voice that my eyes filled with tears, and all
my own troubles were forgotten when q
rap summoned me to the door.
1t was the landlady, bearing a tray on
which was spread so dainty supper that
the very sight revived me, and when she
said: "Come, child, you must eat some
thing If you mean to be mistress in our
old red school-house," no second invi-
tation was necessary. She added with a
Sigh: 1.-THE children nowadays are so
thoughtless. Did you see how they were
teasing the poor creature who passed here a
little while ago?"
Here was my opportunity, and my fork
was laid down preparatory to asking ques-
tions, when she seemed to read my
thoughts, for she said, hastily: Sat your
supper before it becomes cold, and I will
tell you all about her.
"Poor Margery. She never seemed to
have half a chance in this world. Her
father was a handsome, good-for-nothing
| fellow, who spent his time between hunting
in the mountains and guzzling at the tavern,
so no one was surprised when he was car
ried home one evening with a great black
| hole in his breast. Perhaps / should have
said no one but his wife, for, poor thingl
| she never lost faith in him, but when she
saw that hope had gone, she loosened her
| feeble grasp on life, kissed her black-eyed
| baby and closed her eyes forever.
sit was quite a question among US what
should be done with Margery, as we knew
nothing of her relatives, but we all hated
to send the pretty baby to the poor-house.
Quite number of US finally agreed to pay
| a certain sum toward her support until she
reached an age when she could care for
herself, but we found it no easy task TO find
| q suitable person who was willing to be
| burdened with the care of so small child.
Mrs. Hart, widow having several children
| Of her own, finally agreed to take charge Of
her, and we knew that she would be with
those who would at least be kind to her. As
she grew older her mothers sensitive
nature showed itself, and the other children,
mistaking this for feeling of pride, did all
| in their power to render the child's life
| miserable.
| 'T shall never forget the look on her
childish face, when, upon passing our house
| one of tho school children said, tauntingly
| Pm sure I'd like to know what you've got
to be proud of, you don't belong to nobody,
and have no home of your own.' The child
was called into the house and we did all
in our power to comfort her, but she kept
| repeating: its true, true; have no home,
nobody to love me, and can't see why God
| ever lut me in this world
"Mrs. Hart died upon Margery's four
teenth birthday, and was so set upon tax.
ing her home that my husband finally con-
sented. We did all in our power to make
her happy, and have her feel that our house
was really her home, but she would some
times say to me: You are good, the best
friend in the world, but some day mean tc
have home of my very own, and will then
try to repay all your kindness
"When she was sixteen the war broke
out, and our little village, being so near the
border line, became the scene of the wild
est excitement. 1t was wonderful what 9
transformation the child's whole nature
seemed to undergo. She lost her timid
shrinking disposition, aud you can have nc
idea of her wonderful beauty at that time
Several of the Northern regiments were
stationed near us, and It was not at all sur
prising that Colonel Marsden, a handsome
young officer from New Hampshire, spent
all his leisure time at our house. My hus
band had Joined the Union army at the frs'
| - onf
nurses it seemed my duty to follow him
the only drawback was Margery. Upor
speaking to her about staying with my sis
ter until the close of the war she answered
that they were to be married as soon as tht
Colonel obtained a furlough, and were
| to have home of their own among the New
Hampshire hills.
"I went to the front and heard so little o.
the happenings in our own valley that wa:
totally unprepared for the sad news tha
awaited my return
Upon returning it was my expectation
to learn that Margery was happily settlet
In the home for which she had alway.
longed, but found a hopeless maniac. n
sister told me the whole sad story.
"All the wedding preparations were com
pleted, and at last came the welcome new
that the much-long ged-f for missive containing
leave of absence could be obtained at head
quarters on the next day. A group o
brother officers were to accompany them Z
the little church in which they were to b
quietly married.
AFTER bidding her goodnight, his las
words were: BE on the lookout, dear, AM
when you hear the sound of wheels be sur
that am coming to take you home
ssThe dawning of the next day was al
that could be desired, and long before tn
appointed time Margery was standing at tn