The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-06
A HAPPY OLD MAID.

WIN me, oedr. lnaG Is KIM, 1Of young
things like you don't often fancy the soci.
ETY. Of elderly ladies, but We old people ap.
preciate any attention you show US, fol
the heart never loses its freshness, and
though age creeps upon Us, wrinkling oul
faces and silvering our hair, we are as
young at heart as when our cheeks bloom
ed and our eyes glowed with the spirit Of
youth and strength. So because we are
old, don't relegate Us to mental museum
of antiquities, but give US some share in
your affections. and we will more than re.
pay you for the sacrifice.
You want me to tell you Of my lifei
Well, perhaps may interest you, though
have no love story to relate.
Twas the only child of my parents. I
remember my mother as being very pale
and pretty and always ailing. Twas made
to understand very early in life that she
could not help me in my childish needs.
When l wanted a walk or a drive, I went
with my father. He was my constant
companion. He was so kind, 60 gentle,
SO good! He strove in every way to make
my life happy one. 1t was he who IN
dressed me at night, and the happiest hour
of the whole day was when / lay In my
little crib in my nightrobe, with bis dear
hand in mine. He never left me till fell
asleep. What wonderful stories he told
me Of fairy princesses and witches! How
absorbed l was in each enhancing tale,
and with what breathless interest hung
upon every world All, those were happy
days!
have lived long while and been close
observer of human nature, yet / have
never seen such devotion as my father
gave to my mother. He spent long hours
beside her couch, and every luxury that
money could buy was hers.
had few playmates. Children love SUD.
shine, and ours was essentially q darkened
home. My father and were closer COM
panions than ever as I grew older. He
taught me to ride, and We took long
tramps together. He was an instruc-
tive companion. He loved nature and was
q fine botanist. He taught me all know
of flowers, and together we searched the
woods for the first violet and crocus.
Once my mother said to me as I was care
fully putting some violets in water:
'You are a great comfort to your father,
Lucy. You will always be good to him,
won't your"
kissed her and promised that would
She died when was 12 years old, and he's
last words were, ''Take care of your ia.
ther, Lucy" I was only a child, but old
for my years, and treasured her words in
my heart.
Ny father could scarcely bear me out Of
his sight. We were constantly together.
He taught me history and mathematics,
and I had a teacher who came to the house
and gave me lessons in French and music.
And SO grew up. Sometimes good ma
tured mother with flock of girls would
demonstrate with him and argue that
ought to be in school, but he grew serious
at once.
II can't spare Lucy" he would say.
''She is all have"
We took long rides together, and every
summer we went to the seashore, and,
though my father was a handsome man,
still young and with an abundance of
money, yet he never seemed to care for
any society but mine. I am sure he might
have married almost any one, but he
never did.
How people used to look at us in those
days, and how proud was of him! He
had such fine manner and was such q
gentleman, and I, thanks to his sensible
training, was as blooming as rose.
There is no such nurse as Mother Ma
ture. The nearer we get to her the fresher
and purer We feel. When look at the
fashionable young woman of today, who
is all nerves and exhausted by a long
walk, whose digestion Is ruined by rich
food and late dinners, I feel very thankful
to my wise father. What glorious tramps
We took, what long drives and rides! And
now, old as am, bad weather never keeps
sne in.
People called me handsome, SO sup
pose 1 must have been. had many suit |
ors. What girl has not who is young and |
happy But though, girllike, 1 was
pleased with attention, my heart was
never really touched. 1 always remem- |
bered my mothers last words, "Take care !
of your father, Lucy" could never fam |
cy my life apart from him.
Perhaps you think might have been /
happier if married, but that is impossible. |
Ny father was always everything to NE. |
We studied, We talked, we read together. |
By and by I found myself merging into !
middle life, but enjoyed life as much as
ever. Father was surrounded by learned |
people, and one could not but sbsovb some |
Of their knowledge. l know / am called |
clever; but. my dear, 1 find SO much to
earn from day to day that If stop to con-
slider how little l really know / feel very
ignorant.
Yes, I can truly say my life has been
happy one, and though the ties Of wife
hood and motherhood have not been for
me, yet have always been satisfied. am
busy too. I have my afternoons in the
hospital and my class of scholars in our
Sunday school. Then do great deal of
work among the poor. So, you see, am
we'll employed.
Now. you must stay to tea with US.
Here comes father. Isn't he the very pic
jure of a beautiful old ages His hair is
white, but he is as erect as ever. Well,
have talked long enough, but want you
% know that there is one satisfied old
maid. Girls are too ready to grasp at a
hadow and miss the substance, and
hough believe in marrying and happy
marriages l believe also in happy old
maids. 1 am so years old, and father
celebrated his eighty second birthday last
ALL vet we are still happy and busy with
ur work content to wait until the call
ONES for US TO fold our hands.-Ex-
hange.
The Hunf-Beirut.