Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-04-23
WHOLE NO. 2.19

But don't know what TO do.~ said
the girl sadly. 81 thought that now I
hnd so many books. could read d liE-
tie evenings; but Aunt Patty can't bear
to see me reading. She thinks II Is a
wnste OF time, It's of no use for me tc
try to think of anything but mendins
and pillow-cases."
But my little friend, said good Mrs.
Vance, you can make meuding and pill I
low-cases beautiful. You can have thu
most lovely thoughts all the time, while
the sweet flowers OF patience are grow
Ing up In your heart" s''"'H {
"ratlence again." laughed M~thn.
adding. soberly, "it's what p,y mother
told me, roo. We'll, II that's beautiful,
I'll try to have one beautiful thing nbout
me-" 800
But Martha's great trial WINS yet to
come.
Mrs. Vance had planned grand ex>
curslon and picnic for one OF the last
days OF her visit, and Martha had been
dreaming for week of this day In the
woods. n whole. free day.
Her busy fingers were setting the
Inst stitches In n new muslin dress for
The occnsion, and she gave a sigh OF
satisfaction rs she held 1t out at nrms'
length to behold It.
vanity, vnpityi" said Aunt Patty.
crisply. IL hope you don't forget about
the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit"
No, Aunt Patty" said Martha, alb.
sently. her mind filed with happy
thoughts of the next days pleasures.
VI do believe" said Aunt Patty n few
hours later, Tint one of my bad spells Is
coming on. Tho heat has gone to my
head. guess you'd better make. me Q
little composition tea and III go to bed"
The tea Gid not prove eflIcacious, aud
the fever gr.w worse toward night, and
poor Martha was kept up nil night to
bathe the hot head and bring cooling
drinks.
The vision of the cool woods grew dim.
mer and DINNER, but when the morning
sunlight flooded the room, she ventured
to say: =
Would sou mind, Aunt Patty. n rot
old Mrs. Brent to stay with you to-daya,
do 80 want to go the picnic. 1t is
Mrs. Nnnce'n last dny."
You know Mrs. Brant drives mo
Wild" wns the answer; F"but 20, OF
course. Gun stay nloic and you caus
think OF me lying here alone and dying
maybe. Dr. then you'll be well rid of
me. sSan't trouble you much longer.r
oh, don't talk 70" said the girl, with
tears In her eyes, as the lust glenm OF the
vision faded away and left her with an
nching hcad, tired feet, and long,
drcary dny In the sickroom stretching
out before her. y,
Another vision came to her. TWAS OF
tired, fadcd fucc, which she rcmeni-
bcrcd so well, transilgured in some way
by heavenly glory, md voice which
seemed like an angels repeated, "prom-s
isc me 10 bc patient and bear every
thing" and then she thought OF fhe
bird us II flew away from tho cage, and
1t seemed to be singing, Patience, pn-
tience." -
u am sorry you missed your merry
making to-tlny. Matte" said Mr.. Dratl-
ley, when he came home to dinner, 'and
rather think you need to be out in the
open air now and then. You've been
looking n little pale lately"
TITS only the warm weather." re.
piled Martha, "and It's nearly oyer now.
It's almost the middle of Septe,nber.-
"Yes, yes" said Mr.. Bradley, slowly
80 II is. You've been good girl. Mat
tic, and don't want you to wear ont.
III come bone early tonight. and you
must take walk up the river to Cousin
Ilnrbnra's and sec II she emit como
down here for few weeks to spell you
n little"
And 40 the afternoon wns not SO long
after all. and Aunt Patty had n good
nep. which gave Martha an opportunity
for an undisturbed hour with her pre-
cious books. 80
IT hnsnt been such n bad day after
ALL" she said to Mrs. Vance, ns she bade
her goodnight at the fence. ~ had n
icnl nice read and walk, and could
almost see whnt you were doing, the
sky was so clear"
81 believe smell the flowers al
ready" cried Mrs. Vance; ''of patience,
| nean," she explained, MS Martha
looked wonderingly at her.
y week later Mr.. Bradley came into
the kitchen with n letter in his hand.
"IIow would you like to go TO the
city to school this fall?" he asked.
oh. father" cried Martha, chow
could I? What do you mcan3"
"Why, here's letter from Mrs.
Vance," he replied, slowly, asking mo
TO send you to her for the year. She's
taken fancy to you. 1t seems, anl
wants to have you make her long
visit. and she promises to nnd good
school for you. There's somethihE
about giving a bird n chance to use its
wings. which can't nuke ont, maybe
you can"
Martha's face beaIned with Joy as she
read the pleasant words. but q shadow
came over 1t as she said:
"Dut. Aunt Patty. ] can't leave her.
Oh. dear. should like ogo!"
"oh, barbara and l will take good
care of Aunt Patty. and she'll prizeyou
oil the more when you come bach. !" re-
riied her father. heartily.