Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-11-04
THE OLD CLOCK.

words were ringing in my ears as l sat
the cushioned seat in the deep square
window. The world was all white and
beautiful, snow covered the fields and
meadows far into the horizon, where
the sun was sinking in his crimson
glory.
It was twilight, everything was soft
and dreamy, and the tick of the old
clock seemed to my girlish mind to re-
peat the words 1 had heard my mother
say laughingly to my father after some
tender jest of his. cloves a lover-tick
-tock-loves a lover!'
was in a big old fashioned hall,
there were the broad low stairs leading
to the rooms above, the tall mahogany
clock with its dear old face that was
like a friend to me. What a deal it
could tell of all that had come and gone
since it stood in its dim recess. Tales of
the first kiss beneath the mistletoe, Of
the sweet words whispered on the
stairs, Of the stories told around the
blazing Yule logs, all memories of other
days-when grandmother was young
like me-,
"Tick-tock, loves a lover, tick-tockl"
I turned toward the clock; the red glow
from the outer world lighted up its
face. Surely I was not dreamingl The
face seemed to be smiling at me, and
the words changed into "httle girl
little girl" as if half plying me be
cause I was left alone.
I heaved a sigh, and before it had
well passed my lips the old clock seemed
to say: GIVE seen many things, and if
little girls would keep their ears open
they could learn from almost everything
about them. We don't say much, with
a half point of hand toward the big old
bookcase, which gave a groan in an
swer. "But we watch and learn a great
deal more than people give us credit for.
I can tell you about your grandmother
and how I, by what you would stupid
" call an accident, changed her whole
life"
1t gave me a strange feeling to hear
the clock which I had loved and listened
to from babyhood speak so plainly to
me. Before this I had always known it
could tell me so much if I could only
understand, and now, quite suddenly,
l understood just as if the old clock,
with it's slow and steady ''tick-tock,
textbook" spoke in my OWN language.
I was just a little nervous and did
not like to answer, but I guess the clock
saw the half smile on my face, for it
went on after a few moments. eyes, it
is many years ago when your grand
mother was young; a sweeter lassie
never breathed. I dream sometimes in
the night, when l alone of all the house
am awake, of seeing her come gliding
down the stairs in her light gray dress,
with it's many yarded skirt, the dainty
lace collar fashioned with the big
brooch, her hair, with the tresses that
would not quite ~straighten out, drawn
down and over the ears, like curtaina
Of gold to set off her 1owerlike face.
"She would always heed me. l my
self was young then" the old clock
sighed. II told her when to rise 30 as to
surprise the flowers when fresh with
dewdrop diamonds - when she must
study and read so as to be able to hold
her own with the best. These things she
did not mind, but she would look at me
quite wistfully when I would tick out,
Tick, took, 8 o'clock-9 o'clock, but
up the stairs she would disappear ano
dark would be the house till the little
lady appeared in the bright sunshine
the next morning.
"One day there was a stir and an ex
citement - all preparations for YOU
grandmother first ball. Silks and Lace
were everywhere, and the flowers tina
| filed the little window yonder heard al
her hopes and dreams as she bent allow
them in her daily care.
"As evening drew on the sleigh bell
we're heard coming across the countr.
to the door, there was a crowd OF serv
ants in the hall, each one peering eager
" over another's shoulder to see the lit
tie mistress in her white silk, whicl
rustled as she moved and set off 80 wei
her shining eyes.
"Ah, me, that was the beginning o
it all, for it was not the same little gil
who looked into my face next day, an
listened with all my strength as sh
whispered fresh hopes and fears to tn
sympathetic flowers.
MANY gentlemen now came to cal
and most frequently an older and
graver one, who said little, but SCENE
to bide his time. There vas a younge
one on whom my little mistress SCENE
to smile, and who whispered all sorts {
pretty nothings in her ear; a handsom
lad, but somehow I liked not the shift
ing Of his eyes.
.Many is the night I kept. my o.
frame creaking with anxiety. SOM
times I would try to put in a word
the little one as sSe sat where you ar
only she never seemed to hear me.
smile was on her lips and her heart ",
far away.
Things went on that way for son
time, till one day I heard her father
voice raised in a sterner tone than
had ever used to the little mistres
The heavy library door was opent
; hastily by her, and as she pushed pa
: me up the stairs ! saw how flushed al
: hot her cheeks were burning.
"Then came q time when she sat al
brooded in the window. The your
= man came no more, and the elder mi
1 was kinder than ever, but all to nc pu
pose; the young girl did not seem
know that he was near. Afterward q
seemed to turn to me for sympathy 81
y would watch my face 80 ~anxiously ! d
y not quite like 1t, for often it would 81
} IN her taking her scarf and shyly sli