Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-09-26
Ths Storu Telter.
THE INVALID CLERK.

1t was the twilight of crisp, cold
winter day. Outside, the cawing of, 9
flock of belated crows made sorrowful
music, as their wings were outlined
against the deepening orange of the
sunset, while in the cozy farm kitchen
the lamp was already lighted, and
Mrs. Flint was bustling about prepar-
ing the evening meal, while Marah
her niece, sat and sewed with flying
fingers on the household linen.
"I should like it so much, aunt, "
said the girl, lifting her eyes wistfully
to the old lady's face.
"But, Marah," said Mrs. Flint, set
ting the earthenware teapot where its
fragrant leaves could steep slowly on
the back of the stove, "I don't see
how I can spare you, my. dear. There
is so much to do, now that grandma
is feeble, and your uncle has to
hire two men for the wood cutting,
and they've got to be boarded here,
and your cousin Louisa is coming here
with her children until spring"
Marah sighed softly. Was it always
to be her lot to be sacrificed for the
general good of others.
~ never earned any money for my
self, aunt" she said. "And this is
such an excellent opportunity to get
place in Mr.. Marchland's store. Sue
Nellis has written to me that there
will be vacancy in the fancy depart
ment very soon, and"
"John Marchland is sort of distant
relation of ours, too," said Mrs. Flint.
"Though I've never seen him, 1 knew
his mother we'll. And I dare say he
would give you good place and be
kind to you, if you entered his store.
1t would be an excellent chance for
you to see the world too. For I know
it's dull life here, my dear, but l
don't see any help for it |! P>"haps in
a year or two we can spare you bet
ter"
So Marah Flint was compelled to
give up the little plan over which she
had dreamed so many pleasant dreams.
For Marah was only Is, and she had
always lived in the backwoods, and
worn her aunt's old dresses made over,
and waited meekly on grandma and
Uncle Abner.
Mr.. Marchland himself was, per-
haps, little disappointed, when Miss
Nellis, the forewoman, whose father
owned the next farm to Abner Flint's,
asked him if she should promote one
of the packing girls to the vacant
place in the fancy department.
"But I thought you were going to
write to that little unknown cousin OF
mine? he said.
$50 did," said Miss Nellis; "but
they can't spare her from home, it
seems. It's q clear case of Cinderella
among the ashes. She is the sweetest,
most unselish girl I ever saw but, all
the same it's shame that she should
be buried alive in that sort of way"
"Very well," said Mr.. Marchland
II suppose she understands her own
business best. Put Julia Finch In the
place."
The next day, Uncle Abner Flint
to his infinite amazement, received q
brief note from Marchland & Co., ask.
ing if it would be convenient for him
to receive as a boarder for a few
weeks, a young man from the store,
whose health required change and
rest.
~ will be responsible for his board, y
wrote Mr.. Marchland. "He has only
his own exertions to depend on, and ]
am sure I may so far presume on oui
distant relationship as to trust that
you will receive him kindly"
"Marah," said Mrs. Flint, in some
perplexity, "what are we to do?"
"Why, take the poor fellow, OF
course" said Marah.
"But it will make more work." said
Mrs. Flint.
"Never mind the work." said CHEEKY
Marah. ~ dare say we can manage
it between u.s."
"Marah always did look on the SUM-
ny side of things" said Uncle Abner
who serenely left the domestic admin
istration to his womenkind.
ave don't want no boarders here, y
said Cousin Louisa, a low spirited
young matron who talked through hel
nose, and cried and shifted good deal
over her troubles. "There's only just
room for the dear children, and me
now, that the wood cutters have the
north bedroom"
"There's the little room with the
sloping roof close to the chimney
suggested Marah, "where we keep the
chests of linen, and herbs, and seed
corn. We might fit that up nicely.
could put down a breadth of the new
rag-carpet beside the bed, aud make
curtains out of the 'worn-out sheets
and, 1 dare say the young man won't
be particular"
"But he's q mere clerk-a porter
for all we know" whined Cousin Lou
isa, whose deceased husband had been
a bartender in a railway saloon.
II guess it won't hurt us to associate
with him." said Uncle Abner, dryly
"and I tell you what, mother, if oul
Marah has all the extra work and
care, she shall have the board money