Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-06-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
Love Taught Her.
Hon Daisy Hale Found Contentment
on the Farm.

John Ramsey. was working on his farm. his
careless, loose dress displaying to advantage
his tall. muscular figure. A broad straw hat
shaded his handsome fuce. The hands that
guided the plow were strong hands, but whiter
and more delicate that such pursuits usually
follow
Daisy Hale sat watching him. Her dress was
print but made with 1ounces to the waist She
wore jaunty hat covered with pufTs of white
muslin and bows of blue ribbon to match the
spots upon her dress.
The face under Daisy's hat was gloomy, not
to say cross. A very pretty face, but not
pleasant, having petted, spoiled child frown
and brooding discomfort in her large blue
eyes.
Presently the farmer drew near her, and tax.
ing off his hat famed himself with 1t, and
stopped his horses while he leaned indoiently
against the plow.
You look deliciously cool under this great
tree, he said. And-heml-yery much dressed
for nine o'clock in the morning.
Oh In five penny calico! she said contemptu-
ously. 1t is too absurd for you to bo pIowine
and hoeing and milking cows and; doing the
work of { laboring man Thought when you
came home from college you would do some
thing bssides work on the farm. r.. .....,
And let the farm 20 to ruin. That would b.
poor way to pay my ,dolis.
Your dehts' she said, looking astonishcd. -
Do ynu owe debts2
Certainly, YOu aud both are very heavily
in debit Daley. think when Aunt Mary took
MS in, poor little orphaus-I her nephew. you
her third cousin-all the money she had saved
in, life of hard work was spent upon our ed
ucatiop. Do you know that she hos nothing
now but the farm, and to take her away from
it would probably shorten her life!
But you couid send her money If you were In
the city in some gentlemanly occupation.
Perhaps so, ten or twelve years from now
To-day propose to work on this farm and
see how many. bushels of corn can raise on It.
He took hold of the plow handles as he spoke.
started the horses and left her her eyes full of
angry tears.
lie might as well have said what he meant.
she thought springing down and starting for
the house. He thinks 1 ought to cook and
make butter and work like a servant girl, when
have studied so hard and tried to make nv
self a lady that he might not be ashamed OF
me.
AS she druw near the houss the sting Of
Johns words penetrated more and more
through the crust she had drawn over her
heart until fresh stab had met her Mt the
door. Looking in Mt the open door. she saw
white head bowed in weeping-a eight 0g-
ure shaken by sobs
Quickly-through all the sellshuess-seif-
reProach struck at the girls heart, and a mo-
ment she was on her knees besides the low
chair her arms around the weeping woman
oh
cry Oh. what has happened?
Why, Daisy, dear-through sobs that would
not be checked at moments notice-don't
mind me. I'm only tired, dearie; only tired.
Could she have struck deeper7 Tiredl At
seventy housework does become weariness.
At seventy it may seem as If one ought to rest
while young hands aud active feet take up the
burdens. She was very tired. this patient. old
woman who had given her life's work for 9TH
ers; first for her parents then for an invalid
brother, lastly for the orphan children, with
snch innumerable acts of neighborly kindness
as only the recording angel of good deeds
knew.
Well might she be tired 1t was now to her
to be caressed, to have tender hands lead her
to her room and loosen her dress, a 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-tiEne.
But. Daisy, yOu cannot make the dinner.
1 win try, was the quick reply; and Aunt
Mary submitted
Washing the potatoes, shelling peas, frying
ham making coffee-they all allowed thought
to be busy-and Daisy sIghingIy put away some
OF her day dreams oyer her homely tasks.
1 cannot be a lady, she thought, and John
won't be a gentleman butt viii try and pay
my share of the debts
She had taken off her hounces and hat and
put on plain dress and large check apron
before she began to work, and she was rather
astonished as her kitchen duties progressed, to
find herself happier than she had been since
she returned home.
When John came home to dinner he zas as
tonished to hud Aunt Mary quite dressed mp,
as she blusbingiy said, in clean print dress
and white apron, her dear old face showing no
sign Of heat or weariuess. while Daisy with
added bloom and bare white arms, was carry
ing 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 ! was too hasty this morning.
John said but little as the days wore on and
stin found Daisy at her post. 1t was not in