Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-01-05
Romance Of a Janitress.

stone upon the wall that I had built be-.
tween my old life and my present one 1t
was we'll built, firm, and unyielding, of
earth made out of clay with tears so burn
ing and bitter that thought the fount
from which they came was dry forever more
But nh the day came when the whole
barrier fell away and crumbled into dust
at the touch of the magic hand of mem.
ory, and was sobbing and crying as If my
heart must break over the feelings brought
oto life by the sound of sweet, young
voice singing: Rock me to sleep, mother"
The words: "Make me child again just
Tor one night" razed to the ground the
work of months-the J ig house, the city
full, faded away I was back again at the
old homestead, with mother and brother
Ben; the sweet smell of violets and piney
woods came to me with the singing Of birds
and the pleasant shade flung by the elm
trees over mothers window. forgot for
the moment that had no home, no mo.
ther, that the dear face was hidden from
my sight in the village churchyard, and
that Brother Ben was lying at the bottom
Of the sea. I had not heard that song
since mother sung it as we three sat TO-
gether in the cleaning long ago; but as
the music ceased was back again with a
heart all wrinkled and scared, child no
longer, but o poor, lone working woman.
I could not help it, threw myself upon
the floor Of the hall where was, In q per.
feet abandon of grief I took no note Of
time or place, remembering nothing but
that was entirely alone. l had heard no
one coming, and 80 was startled when
felt 9 hand upon my head and heard the
...-.-
tut, tut this will never do, child.
you'll be sick Have you lost your canary
or pet cat? Tell an old man all your
troubles"
I started up ashamed, that usually so
dignifed should be caught in this way ny
any of the servants of the apartment house
Of which had the charge; but looking at
the speaker, saw o strange face-a face
strong, kind, and true, with piercing eyes
which seemed to look into my soul. l
said
~ beg pardon. sir, were you looking for
: fiat ="
"A fat ?" he answered, with q merr7
twinkle in his eyes "If l wanted that
found one without going any further, when
| saw little, foolish girl lying flat on the
1oor trying her best to inuEdate my friend
Fleming's house with tears"
As he was speaking felt my face grow
,ng scarlet. / fanced he feared another
uthurst, so he said:
. Excuse me, dear, can you tell me
where can find the jauitress~-who GER
sanly is not very faithful one or else shc
would show herself"
In answer drew myself up to as tall
Lc ght as could get, and said:
81 "
"You Whew Do you think You are
or the stage? Come, now, no nonsense.
| Lave no time for such tomfoo!ery; I'm
IN a hurry"
lie tried to look cross, but az he only
succeeded in looking queer, being In that
nervous state that I must either laugh or
cry, / burst into fit of laughter. Then
ae was angry muttered something about
oysteria; told me to stop, or he would box
ny ears. This brought me to my senses,
90 i gently cold him that had charge of
the house, and would give him any intor-
nation he required.
With o most quizzical look, he asked
"Can you tell me if you have sick
gentleman here-a Mr. James Talbot. l
am his medical attendant Dr. Arthur Col.
vile, at your service, madam. Can
NOuDle you lOr your ndHe
said: Ruth Hopkins, sir"
"Well, Mrs Ruth Hopkins, as will
probably visit this house every day for
come time, and as ! know my nervous sys-
.em would suffer if were obliged to. wit
uess days scenes often, therefore, to pre-
vent a repetition, will give you pre-
script!on, which you will have made up,
and then swallow it down. If you do not
will complain to Mr.. Fleming, who is one
of my best friends"
/ took the paper without making any
answer, was afraid to do anything else.
As We were going up stairs to Mr.. Talbots
apartments the doctor said
In q few days when you are compare
lively recovered from this attack, wish to
hear how it Is that such midget as you
should hold such position" He then
said, GOOD morning" and with q most
courtly bow went into the patients
room.
went slowly down the stairs to my own
room. Upon reaching it took myself Sc
verely to task for daring to give way ,o
such emotion. What right had I, a scr.
want, to enjoy the luxury Of feeling t-uo.
fitting myself for my duties. "Let III,
dead past bury it's dead" had been, n i
must be again, the law Of my life, for it
such terrible thing to stand amid
wreck Of life's treasures, feeling they a
gone from US forever, and to be obliged
realize that henceforth gulf lies betw-
us, and what made our Hfe's life. ] f..
there must be no more looking back fo
me.
The Arst thing to be done was to seo D.