The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-04-20
ONLY MAGGIE.
But She Was the Gem of the
Household.


The two words ''only Maggie" were
u sort of by-word III the Clements fam
lily, where the young lady rejoicing in
the baptismai appellation of Margaret
was considered somewhat inferior in
all respects to the three elder sisters
Miss Nora Clements was artistic
Miss Georgina Clements was musical,
and her hours were spent executing in
tricacies upon the piano. Miss Cordelia
Clements was beauty.
Maggie, the youngest, was simply a
cheerful, good-tempercd, industrious
girl, who aimed at no special display of
either beauty or talent, but was quite
content to be handmaiden for the
others.
Howard, the only brother. and the
eldest of the family, was a physician
and the head of the household, the
father and mother being dead. There
WAS wealth enough to make Il pleasant
home when the separate incomes were
combined. and Howard would have
been most unwilling to see his sisters
leave him for any but home and hus-
band of their own.
I'VE can all live comfortably to-
gether," he would say, but you have
not enough To live upon without work
il you leave the house we own among
US.
At first the two older girls were quite
anxious to figure as a great artist and
musician, but finally they allowed their
brother to have his oun way.
The young doctor was very proud of
his sisters and their various attractions,
and when his warm FRIEND and fellow
student, Paul Goddard, appeared to
make him a short visit, he lead him from
the office into the house adjoining it,
delighted at the prospect of showing
off the girls to a city gentleman.
A tour of inspection in the drawing
room preceded the actual introduction.
Thus:
This scene upon the Catslcill noun
tains was painted by my eldest sister.
Paul. We spent the summer there for
the express purpose of allowing Nora
to make sketches"
Very fine" murmured Paul, trying
his best to admire the mountains
And the music is Georgina's.
Georgina is Sig. Skwallinni's best
pupil"
"A great talent" Paul murmured
again
And this" continued Howard, open
ing the photograph album. lis Cor
della"
He added no more, and truly the
face was sufficiently beautiful to need
no comment Paul spoke cordially:
What beautiful face! Who is this
opposite your sister, Howard?'
THAT is Maggie. She is my young
est sister"
''And does she paint or sing?"
''Oh, no. Maggie has no talent and
no beauty. She is good little thing.
But come to your room Dinner will
be ready at six.
$50 Maggie is housekeeper," thought
Paul as he looked around the tasteful
apartment assigned t. him. Il think
Miss Maggie certainly has something
of her sisters artistic eye. How ex-
quisitely those flowers are arranged
and how cool and fresh it is here. after
a hot, dusty ride. "
Seeking the drawing-room again. Paul
found the artistic sister contemplating
the scene from the back windows with
rapt enthusiasm
MIR. Goddard" she said, advancing
to meet him.
Iaul Tie utCtSSdTN SpccCh VI
qualification, wondering if it was the
brown of the CatslSnI mountains that
was daubed so extensively upon the
skirt of Miss Nora's blue dress, and if it
was artistic meditation that had made
her pin her collar crooked, and forget
her cuffs altogether. She launched at
once into a bewildering sea of techni-
calities. and called upon Paul To admire
nj h.I li,yhs "A
foliage, from the back window, till he
felt like reprieved prisoner upon the
entrance of another sister, who was in
troduced as my sister Cordelia"
The beauty was superb. Every curl
of her glossy brown hair was arranged
for effect Her creamy complexion was
heightened by dress of soft white
muslin. with tiny green leaves scattered
over it. She bowed with languid
grace, but sat as if actually afraid TO
move. for fear of disarranging any fold
of her faultless costume Georgina ap
peared as the bell rang and Georgina
spoke hut little. 1t made her hoarse to
be always talking.
Paul was inwardly resolving to cut
his visit very short, when Howard
opened the door of the dining-roem
and introduced:
My sister, Maggie"
She was not pretty; she was not arts
tic nor musical; but she was charming
to Paul's eyes, in five minutes Hei
dress fitted her graceful little figure
perfectly; her collar and cuffs were
white aud smooth; her hair was dressed
carefully and becomingly; she was ex
auisitcly neat.
Not fearing for her voice, she chatted
gayly and pleasantly; not being anxious
about her dress, she moved gracefully
and freely; and having no speciality o.
talent, she could talk sensibiy abou
the various topics her brother and hi,
| friend started
Dinner passed off pleasantly. Pau
concluded that if Maggie was house
keeper her dinner certainly did he
credit
A week passed away. and Paul foun,
/, himself groaning in spirit over tn.
| Misses Clements. He had wandered il
search of the picturesque with Nora