Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1895-02-01
A HAPPY OLD MAID.

And SO you have come to spend an hour
with me, dear. That Is kind, for 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, for
the heart never loses its freshness, and
though age creeps upon US, wrinkling our
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 lifef
Well, perhaps may interest you, though
have no love story to relate.
was 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 wanted walk or drive, went
with my father. He was my constant
companion. He was SO kind, SO gentle,
so good! He strove IL every way to make
my life happy one. 1t was he who un-
dressed me at night, and the happiest hour
of the whole day was when lay in my
little crib in my nightrobe, with his dear
hand in mine. He never left me till fell
asleep What wonderful stories he told
me Of fairy princesses and witchesl How
absorbed was in each enhancing tale,
and with what breathless interest hung
upon every word! All, those were happy
days!
have lived long while and been close
observer of human nature, yet l 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 sun
shine and ours was essentially darkened
home. My father and were closer COM
panions than ever as I grew older. Lie
taught me to ride, and we took long
tramps together. He was an instruc-
tive companion. He loved nature and was
flno 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 was care
fully putting somo violets in water:
"You are great comfort to your father,
Lucy. You will always be good to him,
won't youf"
kissed her and promised that would.
She died when was 10 years old, and her
last words were, Take care Of your ia
ther, Lucy" 1 was only child, but old
for my years, and treasured her words in
my heart
My father could scarcely bear me out OF
his sight. We were constantly together.
He taught me history and mathematics,
and had O 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 I
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 tho seashore, and,
though my father was handsome man,
still young and with an abundance OF
money, yet he never seemed to care for
any society but mine 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 a fine manner and was such a
gentleman, and I, thanks to his sensible
training, was as blooming as a rose.
There is no such nurse as Mother Ma
ture. The nearer we get to her the fresher
and purer we feel. When I look at the
fashionable young woman Of today, who
is all nerves and exhausted by 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
me in.
People called me handsome, so sup
pose must have been. had many suit.
ors. What girl has not who is young and
happy But though, girllike, I was
pleased with attention, my heart was
never really touched. I 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.
My father was always everything to me.
We studied, wo talked, we read together.
BY and by found myself merging into
middle life, but enjoyed life as much as
ever. Father was surrounded by learned
people, and one could not but absorb some
of thoir knowledge. know am called
clever; but, my dear, find SO much to
learn from day to day that If stop to con-
slider how little really know feel very
ignorant
Yes, can truly say my life has been a
happy one, and though the ties of wife
hood and motherhood have not been for
me, yet have always been satisfied l am
busy too. 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
well employed.
Here comes father. Ism t he the very pic
ture of beautiful old ages His hair is
white, but he Is as erect as ever Well,
have talked long enough, but want you
to know that there is one satisfied old
maid. Girls are too ready to grasp at a
shadow and miss the substance, and
though believe in marrying and happy
marriages I believe also in happy old
maids. am 60 years old, and father
celebrated his eighty second birthday last
fall, yet we are still happy and busy with
our work, content to wait until the call
comes for us to fold our hands. .-Ex-
change.
A Sure Test.
Two little girls, returning hand in hand
from school, saw small and very tired
looking dog lying crouchcd, with closed
eyes, at the feet Of half famished beggar