The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-16
MAIDEN BLISS.

the heart never hoses its freshness, and,
though age oreeps upon US, wrinkling our
faces and silvering our hair, we are as
young at heart az when our checks bloomed
and our eyes elowed with the spirit of
youth and strength. 30, because we are
old, don't relegats u toa mental museum
of antiquities, hut 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 hfef
Well, perhaps may interest you, though
I have no love story TO relate.
Twas the only child Of my parents. ]
reracnb0r my mother as being very pale
and pretty and always ailing. was made
to understand very early In life that she
could not help me in my childish needs.
When wanted q walk or drive, went
with my father. He was my constant
companion. He was so kind, so gentle, so
goodl He stroye in every way to make my
life happy ono. 1t was he who undressed
mo at night, and the happiest hour of the
whole day was when lay in my little crib
In my pightrobe, with his dear hand In
mine. He never left me till iell asleep.
What wonderful stories he 6old me Of fairy
prinoesses and witches How absorbed
was In each enhancing tale, and with
what breathless interest hung upon every
word All, those were happy daysl
have lived long while and been o
close observer OF human nature, yet ]
have never seen such devotion as my IA
Their 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
sunshine, and ours was essentially dark.
ened home My father and were closer
companions than ever as grew older. Ha
taught me to ride, and we took long
trs,nps together. He was an instructive
companion. He loved nature and was
fine hotanist. He Taught me all know Of
flowers, and together we searched the
woods for the first violet and orocus. Once
my mother said to me as was carefully
putting some violets in water:
lyon are great comfort to your father,
Lucy. Yoa will always be good to him,
won't your
l kissed her and promised that would.
She died when was IL years old, and her
last words were, "Take care Of your ia.
ther, Lucy" Twas 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 weIe constantly together.
He taught me history and mathematics,
and / had n teacher who eaple to the house
and gave me lessons in FISach and music.
Aud so grew up. Sometimes good ma.
tuyed 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" ho would say.
"Shc is all I have"
We took long rides together, and every
summer we went to the scashore, and,
though my father was u handsome man,
still young and with an attendance VI
money, yet he never seemed to care for
any society bu5 uino. | am sure he might
have married almost any ono, but he never
did
How people used to look at us in those
days, ard how proud l was Of himl He
had such Emo manner and was such a
gentleman, and |, thanks to his sensible
tralning wgs as bio ming as rose.
There is 10 such nurSD rs Mother Nature.
Tho nearer VIC ret to er the fresher and
purer VIC feel. When l look at tho fash.
ionable young woman Of today, who Is all
nerves and exhausted by long walk,
whofo digestion is ruined by rich food and
late dinners. feel very thankful to rsy
wise father, What glorious trGnps we
took what long drives and rldcs Ard
now, old as am, bad weather never keeps
me in.
People called mo handsome, so suppose
luurt have Iecn. had many suitors.
What girl has not who is young and hgpryi
Ent though, sirllike, was pleased with
attention, ny heart was never really
touchtd always remembered my moth.
er'5 last words, "Tako caro- Of your father,
Lucy" could never fancy my life apart
from him.
Perhaps you think l might bavG been
happier if married, but that is impossible.
My father was always everything IN mo.
We studied, We talked, We read together.
by and by found myself merging into
middle HGc, but I enjoyed life as much az
ever. Father wus surrounded by learned
people and one could not but absorb some
of their knowledge, l know / am called
clever. But, my dear, find so much to
learn from day tn day that if stop to con.
slider how little l really know l feel very
ignorant.
Yes, / can truly say my lie has becn
happy one, and though the Tics of wife.
hood and motherhood have not been for
me, yet l have always been satisfied, ]
am busy zoo. l have my afternoons in
tho hospital md my claGs of scholars in
our Sunday school. Then l do u great
deal Of work among the poor. So, you
see, am well employed.
Now, you must stay to tea with us.
Hero CoIots father Isn't he the very pic.
ture of a beautiful old age? Ills hair is
white, but he is Us erect as GlG". Well ]
have talked long enough, but l want you
to know that there Is Que satisfied old
maid. Girls are too ready to grasDiat q
shadow and miss the substance, End though
believe in marrying ana happy mar.
riasas, believe also in haply cid maids.
am 90 years old, ard father celebrated
his uighty-ss ccnd Birthday last fall, yet we
are still happy and busy with our work,
content to wait until the call come Tor lie
to fold our hande. Exchange.