The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-04-22

At seventy, homework does become a
wcariness. At seventy, it may seem
as if one ought to rest while young
hands and active feet take up the
burdens. She was very tired, this
patient old woman, who had given her
life work for others. first for her
parents; then for an invalid brother;
lastly, for the orphan children; with
such innumcrable acts OF neighborly
kindness a. only the recording angel of
good deeds knew.
Well might she bc tired, II was
new 70 her 10 bc caresscd, TO have
tender hands lead her TO her room and
loosen her dress, a tender voice coax
her To lie down.
Now, ! wiu darllcn the window"
Daisy said. and you are 20 rest. Sleep,
if you can, until dinner time"
But, Daisy you cannot make the
dinner
- VIII try, was the quicl- reply, and
Aunt Mary submitted
Washing potatoes, shelling peas,
frying ham, making coffee. all allowed
thought To bc busy, and Daisy, sigh
ingly, put away some of her day
dreams over her homsly tasks.
Il cannot be lady" she thought,
''and John won't be a gentleman, but
viii try 70 pay my share Of the
debts"
She had taken off her Aounces and
hat and put on a plain dress and
large check apron before she began 70
work, and She was rather astonisbed,
rs her kitchen duties progressed, to
find herself happier than she had been
since she returned home.
When John came to dinner he was
aStouished 10 find Aunt Mary quite
dressed up, =" as she blushiu~ly said, in
clean print dress and white apron,
her dear Old face showing no sign Of
he, or y.earincss while Daisy, with
adC,5 bloom and bare white arms,
was carry ing in the dinner
The new girl at your service, " she
said, saucily, n, she pulled down her
sleeves. Dinner l. ready. sir"
But her lips quivercd as he bent over
her and whispered:
'God bless you, dear, Forgive me
if was too hasty this morning"
II was a merry meal They made n
play that was more than half earnest
OF Aunt Mary's being n great lady
who was 20 be waited upon, and not
allowed to rise from the table upon
any consideration. Dinner over, John
returned 10 his plOwing, and Aunt
Mary, firmly refusing 10 SIT in idle
ness, was allowed 10 wash cups and
Sauccr-. while Daisy made short work
of pots and pans.
John said but little as the DAYS wore
on and still found Daisy al her post.
II was not in the nature Of things for
Aunt Mary 10 sit with folded hands,
but il became Daisy's task 10 Inaugur-
ate daily maps, - see that only the
light work came 90 the older hands 20
make daily work les, OF "a toll and
more OF q pleasure.
The young girl r~ci wa7 surprised
to find how much she enjoyed the lie
that had seemed TO her mere
drhdgery.
With younger hands 20 carry on the
domestic lilairs, they ceased TO en-
gross every hour Of the day. and John
encouraged Daisy in making use Of the
stiff, shut-up parlor as a daily sitting
room. \ pair Of muslin curtains at
each window were slillfuuy draped 10
keep out the flies, the center table re-
signed its gay vase Of stiff artificial
flowers and stand of wax fruit, TO make
room for two dainty work baskets for
afternoon work, and the periodicals
John took in.
over the shiny horse-hair sofa and
chairs pretty bits Of embroidery were
drapcd, and fresh flowers were supplied
each day. Aunt Mary's caps, collars
and aprons were adjusted 10 suit the
new order OF things and the easiest Of
chairs stood ever ready for her resting
time.
John. bringing 10 his task the same
viii and brains that had carried him
through college, was inaugurating "A
new order Of affairs on the farm. and
made the work pay well
Once more came "A June day, when
Daisy sat IN the fields, and John stood
leaning against the fence beside her.
-Four years of earnest. loving work
had left traces upon both young faces,
ennobling them, and yet leaving TO
them all the glad content that rewards
weN doing.
Many hours Of self-denlal both had
met bravely; many deprivations both
had borne well Daisy wore "A black
dress. and upon the hat in John hand
was a deep band of crepe. but through
a sadness in their voices there yet rang
tone Of happiness.
You love me, Daisy?" John had
said 10 her.
] ,
! softly answered.
And You VIII be my wife? Darling,
! | have long loved you, but after Aunt
Mary was struck down with paralysis
/ ] would not ask you to take up new
( duties. Now she needs you no longer,
and you shall leave the farm Whenever
you wish"
Leave the farm. Oh, John, must We
leave il? / thought it was yours now.
$50 il is"
"And you have made il 50 beautiful
as well as profitable! Oh, John, why
! must we leave it?"
/ only because I thought it was you
wish. my darling
1T would break my heart TO gC
away. | love my home"
And John, taking the little figure
into a close embrace, wondered if any
city could produce sweeter, daintiei
| little lady than the one he held IN hi