The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-03
MAIDEN BLISS.

anu 80 you nave come 60 SpenQ an nouf
with me, dearf That is kind, for young
things Ike you don't often fancy the scot
ETY. of elderly ladies, but We old people ap-
prec1ate any attention you show us, for
the heart never loses its freshness, and,
though age creeps upon US, w-ipkling our
faces and silvering our hair, we are as
young at heart as when our checks bloomed
and our eyes glowed with the spirit of
youth and strength. So, because we are
old. don't reiegate 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
I 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. / was made
to understand very early IN life that she
could not help me in my childish needs.
When 1 wanted a walk or drive, / went
with my father. He was my constant
companion. He was so kind, so gentle, SO
good! He stFoYe in every way to make my
life happy one. 1t was he who undressed
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 witohesi How absorbed 7
what hReathless interest hung upon every
word Alb, those were happy daysl
I have lived q long while and been a
close observer of human nature, yet ]
have never seen such devotion as my IA
Their gave to nay mother. He spent long
hours beside her couch, and every luxury
that money could buy was hers.
1 had few playn1ates. Children love
sunshine, and ours was essentially dark
ened home. My father and l were closer
companions than ever as grew older. He
taught me to ride, and we took long
tramps together. He was an instructive
companion. He loved nature and was a
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 was carefully
putting some violets in water:
"You are a great comfort to your father,
Lucy. You will always be good to him,
won't youS''
kissed her and promised that would.
She died when l was IL years old, and her
last words were, "Take care of your ia
ther, Lucy" Twas only q child, but old for
my years, and I 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 teacher who came to the house
and gave me lessons in French and music.
And SO l grew up. Sometimes q good ma
tured mother with a flock of girls would
demonstrate with him and argue that I
ought to be IN school, but he grew serious
at once.
ST 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. 1 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 himl He
had such a fine manner and was such a
gentleman, and I, thanks to his sensible
training, was as blooming as rose
There Is no such nurse as Mother Nature
The nearer we get to her the fresher and
purer we feel. When look at the fash
ionable young woman Of today, who is all
nerves and exhausted by a long walk,
whose digestion is ruined by rich food and
late dinners, feel very thankful to my
wise father. What glorious tramps we
took, what long drives and ridesi And
now, old as am, bad weather never keeps
ME in.
People called me handsome, SO suppose
I must have been. I had many suitors.
What girl has not who is young and happy?
But though, Girllike, was pleased with
attention, my heart was never really
touched. always reEnemh ered my moth
er's last words, Take care OF your father,
Lucy" I could never fancy my life apart
from him.
Perhaps you think I might have been
happier if married, but that is impossible.
My father was always everything to nae.
We studied, we talked, we read together.
By and by found myself merging into
ever. Father was surrounded by learned
people, and one could not but absorb some
of their knowledge. 1 know I 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
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 a great
deal of work among the poor. So, you
see, am well employed.
Now, you must stay to tea with u.s.
Here comes father. Isn't he the very pic
ture of beautiful old sgef His hair is
white, but he is as erect 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
shadow and miss the substance, and though
I believe in marrying and happy mar
riages, 1 believe also in happy old maids.
am 90 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 come for us
to fold our hands.-Exchange
A Japanese Prison.