The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-05-04

he thought great deal Of mother, who
died when was four years old. It is
for her sake, suppose, that he sends me
things. Here is group Of my own
cousins, five Gght.haired, pretty, delicate
children. Only one lives now. Their
mother died of consumption, leaving a
baby three months old. Uncle John,
brother of my fathers and Aunt Kitty's,
knew Massachusetts girl, strong and
sweet.tempered, who was teaching
school. He went to her and said:
"You were my wife's best friend. Her
children have her constitution. You
| know their doom. Come and make their
SHORT lives happy. She would be pleased.
I will give you money and a home. All
your wants shall be gratifed. And for
the care you give my children our graft
tude will be your recompense."
She went, and took up her task, de.
termined to conquer those fatal seeds of
death which were the mothers heritage.
She struggled, and did indeed give them
happiness, but she could not give them
health. What fearful fact hereditary
is! They lived from sixteen to twenty
years, then one by one they dropped and
died. All but one died in her arms.
He, singularly, escaped. As forlorn
hope, he was sent as common seaman on
sailing vessel. Being weak and un-
used to climbing, he fellto the deck and
broke his hip. He was taken to the
hospital, where he lay for year, his
wound suppurating and refusing to heal.
When he did recover he walked with
crutch, but the blood taint was gone,
and his lungs were sound. He married
and lives in st. Louis. Here is photo
graph of Charley, junior, a mischievous,
sturdy looking 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, and 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 a darkened ROOM, and moves
noiselessly about as if she were tending
the sick. Is there nervous, vital force
which those who are Ill draw from those
who care for them2 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 a plcturep' says a
voice in dismay. This was the picture:
Chairs and tables were moved into the
middle of the room. Flies and dust di-
vided the airy spaces between them. The
former, joyously swarming and buzzing,
showed absolute delight over such an
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. l, Miss
Brown, sat in the midst, while my broom
Law on the centre table, dangerously near
the student lamp. The dust-pan reposed
upon the mantelpiece between Aunt
Kittys Royal Worcester vases. No won
der my aunt was in state OF mind. Her
words came in little gasps.
"Child alive Did l ever see--since
I was born2 was an idiot-yes, was
to think you could sweep room.
You are all right to tell the name OF a
flower or butterfly, but If you are ut
for a single thing about house, Grace
Brown, l haven't found it outl"
heard a smothered laugh in the hall,
and looking up from my confusion, saw
--oh, heavens aud 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 upD 81 am
going after some pitcher plant aud sum
dew, and you nay 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;
The doctor, that is, Henry, says l
must assume the direction OF his house
hold affairs. He will be perfectly dis
cousolate if l 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--wlth
rosebuds everywhere on my dress. he
said that the picture of that half-swep1
room, the flies, the dust, myself poor
little, beautiful culprit seated on the noor
with things all aoout me, my irate aunt,
and the broom, was one in which lights,
and shades were exquisitely blended, ana
one that he can never forget.
It was a good long ride, and we ala
not once think of the pitcher-plant; put
it was very sweet to be thought so mucn
of by such a splendid fellow as my
Henry. And as am to live here all the
time, can get specimens any day
Meanwhile, will humbly petition Aunt
w.. - cr;va ma laseOus in hOuSek6ep-