Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-03-31
SlSY'S CHOICE.

my nephew. Sem Garter, relned up MS
horse IN front Of cottage in the village
Of Upham.
Where does your cousin james live {?
I asked, us Seth aided me in dismonnt.
ing from the buggy.
Right there + answered Seth, point.
ing to the cottage next his own.
James ana | married sisters aud built
our cottages side 10y side, and exactly
alike
He opened the gate as he spoke, and
We passed up neatly gravel|ed path,
bordered by brilliant flower beds to
the house. Upon the porch stood
lovely little lady, who was introduced
as:
My wife, Uncle john
did not wonder at the proud fond,
ness Of my nephcws voice, when I
looked at the graceful woman. who
lifted large, soft brown eyes to my face.
and gave me cordial, smiling welcome.
had just returned from California
after fourteen years absence, to find a
home for my old age in Upham, and OF
the many relatives from whom had
parted only the sons of my two brothers
were left to welcome me.
These Young men, brought up IN one
home, were like brothers in affection
and it did not surprise me to find them
partners in Aourishing business, and
living side BY side.
James was absent from home, upon
business tor the firm. and it was under
stood that my FIRST visit was to be to
Seth and Nellie, afterwards to James
and Susy.
There were but few servants in Up
ham. 90 MAS not surprised when Mel
lie left me, to prepare supper, calling
Seth and myself soon afterwards to Il
We'll ordered table, where dainty dishes
Of her own cooking provoked an ap.
prrcla'iye appetite.
But as the days wore into fortnight
| was surprised at the many leisure
hours the busy lite housrkeeper found
for sewing. reading, and working in her
pretty garden.
do not think l fully realized how
easily all this domestic machinery
worked until James returned home, and
| crossed the gardens 10 MAKE my
promised visit to him. l had already
seen Susv. and sorrowed over her pale,
anxious face, offering my sincere gym
ra,hy for her grief in tue loss Of her on
ly child. one year with angels.
But when crossed the threshold Of
tie cottage door where Susy lived, /
knew that there was NOR, than a
mothers sorrow to account for her pal
lor and anxiety.
With the same income, the same
home, and the same furniture as Nellie,
Susy's life can only be described az
perpetual scramble to catch up with her
homework ; and she was a weary. pre-
mutureiv aged woman at twenty.three,
while Nellie, five years older, was as
fresh, bright and attractive as girl Of
sixteen.
wondered over all this with painful
interest. ! had gathered wealth IN my
years Of exile, and 1t was already willed
te Seth and James proposed build,
ing a home in Upham and keeping a
bachelor hall. with a housekeeper. to be
near them. loved them with all the
fondness would have given sons ofmy
own had l ever married, and | loved
the refined. gentle women they had
taken for their wives.
So it grieved me to the heart to see
Susy's life seemingly so sorrowful. so
hard worked and over burdened, while
Nellie's was so CHEEKY and so full of
leisure hours and pleasant employment
Both Seth and James. in their homes,
were kind and LOVING; Of that | was
sure; both temperate, and living up
right. honorable lives. Where, then.
was the canker eating away one life?
l WAS chatting with James on the
porch one evening, when the affairs Of
the firm came under discussion. We
had talked over the increase of busl-
ness. the up and down Of financial pros
perity. when James said:
Until we were married Seth and
never knew how much Of our income
was spent by one or the other. We
had literally but one purse. But after
we started our homes I became anxious
to save something for my family, and
opened bank account. Seth did the
same; and we then commenced quar-
terIy reckoning and a fair division Of
the profits. We have different views
Of hou ehold economies think Seth
is waste! and extravagaut he thinks
I op n,icarlv