Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-11-07
door-nail. Even my little sunbeam CAM

'Nina gone!" we both exclaimed in a
breath. "Why, we came to call on
her."
"well, you see, she and the old wo-
that is, my present wife-didn't seem to
agree very well they spatted ali the time.
Now, my Nina, as you both know, young
misses, is as sweet tempered as q south
wind, but she's got spunk, she has-took
it from me, you see; isn't responsible, ana
she would have her rights; so she's
gone"
"Where has she gone, Captain|
"To her Aunt Hepsy's, in Attlebor-
ough. They've got no children, and they
love her, and they'll give her good
home. But that amt much comfort to
me, who have home for her as good as
the best, if she could feel free in 1t,
which she don't, young misses, being
like a woodland bird shut up in a cage" "
And the old mans voice faltered, and
his dim eyes were drowned in unshed
tears.
Sweet Nina! We all loved her at
school, Captain Smith, said Mary; land
we are truly sorry for both her and you. "
The Captain frightened up.
Everybody loves her, know, except
the old-my wife, should say and she
hates her, it seems to me. Now she's
good enough to me. But 'love me; love
my Cog, is my motto, young misses, and
atween you an me, I've got nice little
secret. My neighbors-and Mrs. Smith,
too, as to that-thinkS me a compare
lively young man. 1 own this house,
and land adjoining, and ten thousand in
the bank. But here comes in my little
secret. NUNS the word young misses,
for Ninas sake, till I'm anchored safe
t'other SIDE"
Here the Captain put his fOrefnger to
bis lips, and motiOned us to do the same
as a silent contract that we would "keep
num-"
The act was scarcely accomplished
when the back door opened, and in
walked Mrs. Smith, shutting the door be-
hind her with bang.
We were duly introduced to tall, thin,
keen-eyed woman, dressed in sober gray,
aud with her hair drawn tightly and
knotted at the back of her neck IN the
smallest and severest possible shape.
"Ws came to call on Nina l an
swered, in reply to her interrogation,
"and are sorry that she is not here"
Mrs. Smith eyed US searchingly, as she
hung her quilted hood on the nail in the
corner
"Well, for my part, I'm glad she's got
some friends, for she's the biggest tor
ment l ever undertook to govern, and
take it I've brought up few children In
my day, besides managing my first hus
bands prentice boys so that they darsn
saw their souls were their own"
ave always thought her very sweet
tempered" said Mary, land her teachers
loved her and felt bad at parting with
her."
"Tm glad to hear it." said the iratC
Mrs. Smith; "but I'd as lief have brace
of wild cats in my house as to have
Nine Smith. The parlor and spare
bedrooms must be opened at any time, OF
all times, for compeny-my rose bushes
stripped for the vases-the best china
displayed, and l can't tell you what all. u
"It was her mothers way" the old
man ventured to remark, deprecatingly
"Her mothers way! I'd like to know
who her mother was, that her ways
should be set up above the ways Of
Patience Smith, formerly Patience Hig-
ginbotham, formerly Patience Brown,
known as the best housekeeper the coun-
try round;" and Mrs. Smiths eyes shot
fire.
Not caring to be witnesses of this
scene any longer, we rose to go, taking
leave Of Mrs. Smith at the door, while
the old man walked with us to tla gate.
As we parted with him, he slipped a
morocco case into Mary's hand.
''It is Nina's picture" he said; "keep
it. l have another, and anyhow I shall
be gone soon. Only promise me that the
day after my funeral you will carefully
take it out OF its case and have it newly
framed.
Mary promised, and we went our way
Mary Foster was my cousin, and the next
six months spent with her at her faith
er's house in New York city.
So pleasantly did the time pass, tina
at the end of that time he had nearly
forgotten Nina and her troubles, wher
one morning, at the breakfast table, WI
received one of her well-known epiStles
1t was addressed to Mary;
DEAR MARY-Come to me, my darling
I am at home, and in sorrow. Ny dear fathe
died to-day, at two o'clock in ths afternoon
while the church bells were ringing. Hi
last request was that ! should send for you
that you should attend his funeral, and spen'
as much time with me afterward as you pos
sibly could. Bring Jane, if she is with you
My poor father, whom loved so, is safel
anchored in heavens land-locked harbor,' a
he used so often to express his idea Of eterna
rest. His life for the last two years, harasse'
as he was by that woman has not bee
pleasant. trust he is now united to his be
- A.