Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-15

He, singularly, escaped. As forlorn
hope, he was sent as common seaman on
a sailing vessel. Being weak and un.
used to climbing, he fell to the deck and
broke his hip. He was taken to the
hospital, where he lay for a year, his
wound suppurating and refusing to heal.
When he did recover he walked with
crutch, but the blood faint was gone,
and his lungs were sound. He married
and lives in st. Louis. Here is photo.
graph of Charley, junior, mischievous.
sturdy-lookiDg three-year-old, booked
for long life. On one shelf is a
curiously carved cup which Cousin
Charles did in the hospital. 1t was one
OF his ways of passing the time.
When all my poor cousins were laid
in Greenwood, my uncle looked at the
lady who had spent the best part OF her
life in his children's sick room, and saw
that she was old before her time. Too
late he began to value her life, aud hoped
by making her his wife to restore some Of
her lost youth and energy. He took
her travelling; physicians saw her; but in
spite of all, she gradually settled into
quaint melancholy. She preferred to
stay In darkened room, and moves
noiselessly about as if she were tending
the sick. Is there nervous, vital force
which those who are i'll draw from those
who care for them9 1t seems so in Aunt
Mary's case. She may yet recover, My
friend the doctor has seen her and gives
hope; but it will take time.
The door suddenly opens.
"My starsl what picturel" says q
voice in dismay. This was the picture:
Chairs and tables were moved into the
middle of the room. Flies aud dust di.
vided the airy spaces between them. The
former, joyously swarming and buzzlng,
showed absolute delight over such au
unprecedented invitation as this-to
Aunt Kitty's best room. The what-not
was partly dismantled. Peacock feathers
and dried grasses lay on the floor among
dozen or two daguerreotypes. I, Miss
Brown, sat in the midst, while my broom
lay on the centre table, dangerously near
the student lamp. The dust-pan reposed
upon the mantelpiece between Aunt
Kitty's Royal Worcester vases. No won-
der my aunt was in state OF mind. Her
words came in little gasps:
"Child alivel Did ever see--since
I was borne was an idiot-yes, was
to think you could sweep room.
You are all right to tell tho name Of
flower or butterfly, but If you are fit
for single thing about house, Grace
Brown, l haven't found it out"
heard a smothered laugh in the hall,
and looking up from my confusion, saw
oh, heavens and earthl the doctors
eyes twinkling with amusement, while
his face was red with suppressed mirth.
"My horse and buggy are here, at
your service, Miss Brown" (Why
didn't 1 hear him drive upO "I am
going after some pitcher, plant and sun
dew, and you may like to gather some
specimens. Since the pitcher-plant
grows in a swamp, you might put on
your rubbers. Otherwise your present
costume is appropriate, as we'll as charm
ing"
After the ride: ....
Tle doctor, that is, Henry, says I
must assume the direction OF his house.
hold affairs. He will be perfectly dis.
consulate If don't. He wants me to be
married with lots of white, soft stuff
about my head--I will pucker up the
veil little, just to humor him--with
rosebuds everywhere on my dress. He
said that the picture of that half-swept
room, the flies, the dust, myself poor
little, beautiful culprit seated on the floor
with things all about me, my irate aunt,
and the broom, was one in which lights
and shades were exquisitely blended, and
one that he can never forget.
1t was good long ride, and we did
not once think of the pitcher-plant; but
it was very sweet to be thought 50 much
of by such splendid fellow as my
Henry. And as am to live here all the
time, can get specimens any day.
Meanwhile, will humbly petition Aunt
Kitty to give me lessons in housekeep-
ing.-Romance.