South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-06-28
THEINTRLLlGENCER
FRIDAY; JUNE %, 1889.
BLESSED OLD MAID.


am the only relative she has left, and
We must invite her here for the wine
ter. anyhow She and John staid
with father and mother while Was
roaming here and there. Now they
are all Zone, MATTHIAS alone. and us
no more than right for me to look out
for her for awhile. I'll write for her
Immediately
Yes Nathan, that is right, I know
but l can't help dreading II. / al.
ways had a horror Of old maids :
and Mrs. Tracy looked nervously ..
round the plain kitchen Of the little
farmhouse.
you needn't be afraid OF Martha;
she isn't very old. and 1 venture to
say none OF the prying. disagreesbls
old maids We read Of
Ia spite Of his reassuring words,
Mrs. Tracy dreaded the arrival of her
husbands maiden sister, whom he
had not seen since the day he left his
New England home to try his fortune
in the new West.
But, Clara soon discovered, there
vas nothing 20 fear from the quiet,
sad-faced woman who came to them,
whose life had been 80 full OF devo.
ton to others, and noble self-sacris
fee, that there had been no time for
growing hard and bitter because some
Of life's sweetest blessings had been
denied her.
The children, Bert and Mabel and
baby Ray With the unerring instincts
Of childhood, felt the depth OF her
quiet kindliness and took her at once
into their loving little hearts.
Miss Tracy, although wholly unob'
trusivc, was naturally very observant.
This, together with the interest felt
in her brothers family. led her, be-
fore she had been many weeks an in.
mate Of his house, to make discov'
cry.
Nathan, in his desire to get on in
the world, was missing much that
would have made life pleasant. In
thinking SO constantly of the future,
he was losing all the sweetness of the
present. That this was affecting the
whole family was only too apparent.
1t was seen in Clara's ANXIOUS, weary
face, and repeated in a less degree
upon the countenances of the chill.
dren.
There seemed to be no rest for an =
Of them. No relaxation in the strug-
gle for existence. Nothing to vary
the wearying monotony of every day
labor, which, like some huge Jugger-
maui, was crushing beneath its wheels
all thst might have made life sweet
and pleasant.
Martha shrank from interfering
with the habits of her brothers fami.
ly; but, looking ahead, she saw moth.
ing but sorrow and disappointment,
and felt that something o. ust be done
to save them.
Watching for an opportunity to
talk alone with Nathan, abe gladly
accepted his invita- ton one morning,
TO ride with him TO town.
They we're riding rapidly over the
level prairie road when Martha broke
the silence.
1t is truly exhilarating to ride in
this brscIng air. over these fine roads,
especially with so nice a rig, as you
call it. This buggy is easy and the
horses really fine animals. You must
be doing we'll now, Nathan
i suppose am, Martha, but 1t has
been hard pull, with losing crops,
sickness, etc. We're in debt, but
with hard work and economy l guess
we can make it up in another year.
Then what will come nexip'
I intend TO have nice large barn
and some choice cattle; then I shall
build a good house and prepare to
take comfort. There isn't q better
farm than mine for miles around and
l must make the best improvements
possible. Then, some day, we'll have
the best Of everything
But who will share IL all with your
why, my family, OF course 7 OPEN
ing his eyes wide with Astonishment.
All except Clara, you mean, SOL
EMMY.
why, Martha, how you talki It
is for her Pm workipg-who else,
WOu!u liK0 I'D knOWl
Now, Nathan, just take few plain
words from your sister who means
only kindness. I've had experience,
and, in my judgment, Clara hasn't
vitality enough 20 take her through
another year OF hard work. l have
your interest at heart, and would not
needlessly arouse your fears but L
am convinced that your wife is wear
ing out. She must rest from this
constant labor, or your children will
soon be motherless.
Don't, Martha, talk in that way !
Clara is as we'll as usual. She was
always slender and delicate. I'd
gladly have kept her in ease, but che
knew she married q poor man and
was willing TO work up. lie was a
little annoyed.
i doubt not that you have been
kind and good TO her, and now that
she has helped work up So far, ] know
you will be glad 10 give hen q vaca,
ton. You do not realize what IL is
to take care OF three children, and do
All the work In h farmhouse. She
might have been slender when a girl,
but not careworn. Tonight, if you
will look at one Of her old pictures,
you will be convinced that / am
right
Suppose ] am, what then p
How much UouId n coat IN send