The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-06

AS we undressed, preparing to retire, cousin
Abbie talked very kindly with me, saying
she wished me to grow up strong, sensl-
BILE woman; and if nursed foolish faneies,
would become morbid and would lead a
wretched life. She then heard my prayers,
gave me lump of sugar and a kiss, and
tucked me in bed, where L soon forgot
ghosts and everything else for the time
being
This little occurrence took place soon
after my removal to Dalesde, the name of
cousin Abbie's pleasant home. She had
lived alone in the house before. adopting
me. L must have been, even then, some
company for her. She had a good house
keeper and plenty of servants, so she had
all the comforts and few of the worries
usually attending life on a large farm. The
overseer lived to himself in a neat cabin
near the house, and managed so as to give
entire satisfaction: We saw but little COM
pany, as the neighbOrhOOd was thinly set
tied. Winter was quite dreary, and time
passed very slowly to me. But when the
in the outdoor sunshine. "H T6Sen 40 we had
some recreatiOns too, and visitors frequently
came and dined by special invitation. /
wondered if they enjoyed it. l certainly
dress, shoes and stockings, which l ceased
to consider such blessed possession
after l had plenty of them. NV hair
was drawn tightly back by band-comb,
and was strictly enjOined to behave my
self, and not make q noise. No making
frog houses in the sand, no churning in my
big blue bottle, no fun of any kind for me
that day. How cramped and tired 1
felt, and the day seemed to
be 1nterminable. But, worse than
sitting upright in the parlOr OH slippery
horse hair chair, with my legs dangling
over its edge, until my feet went to sleep
and felt as big as two water buckets; worst
of all, the trials of those trying times was
were through before l got my dinner.
There was plenty of room, but custom said
children must wait; so / waited, with what
little patience could command. But my
life had few clouds and much sunshine: /
was well cared for, happy and contented. l
loved cousin Abbie devOtedly, and she fully
returned my affection. She made me feel
that was something more than poor re-
latiOn, taken In through charity and frOma
sense of duty. In this way my great obli-
cations to her kept me INCREASINGLY CRATE
full, while felt no painful humiliation in
accepting her favOrs. She was a woman of
fine appearance-stately and refined. She
had doubtless been wonderfully handsome
in bygOne years. Even now ut fOrty-five
the roundness of youth still rested on face
and figure, and the touches of grey around
her temples seemed just hints of coming
change, rather than change itself. She was
most imperceptibly, with no clinging to the
past pleasures of life, which is SO sad to
witness i'm those who unwillingly resign
them. An only daughter. she inherited her
fathers home. his son having died
quite young. My father and
myself she had no living kin. She often
said we belonged to each other. She rarely
mentioned her family, and had never mar
ried.
Time, that never tarries, kept on its way,
and soon made me a we'll grown girl of four
teen. Though strong and healthy as cousin
Abbie wished. my childish timidity was not
was child still. ] loved to run, romp and
play as much as did seven years before. l
walked daily about a mile to the school
taught in Mr.. Alston's family. Most of the
neighbOrs sent their children. Those Nv
ing too far to walk boarded from Monday
until Friday; In this. way l became ac-
quainted with other girls, and frequently
went home with them. Occasionally they
visited ME, and / saw, though cousin Abbie
was pleased to have them, they always ap-
peared restless, and rarely ever stayed all
night. Kate Morgan, my best friend. left
me late one evening TO return home, though
/ begged her to remain. In response to my
didn't you know this house was hauGted.f
wouldn't stay here all night for anything"
Haunted Oh, Kate! you surely don't be-
lieve that. I've been here seven years. and
/ go all over the house, and Pve never seen
"a thing"
Take my word for it, you'll knock up
half TO DEATH"
And is this why the girls don't like to
visit here." asked.
Yes. Iva. / reckon it isl She kissed
me good-by. / went slowly into the
house with . hard, tight feeling