Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-01-05
THURM0NT, Frederick County, Maryland Thursday January s. 899

blood had raised the stick for another
blow, when l rushed towards him, seized
the stick. threw 1t a. far as I could, stamp.
ed with rage, and said How dare you?
Strike me; It was my fault. don't think
II half as wicked to climb trees On Sunday
as it Ia to get in such rage Why doem't
God strike the birds and squirrels for play
ing about? II it is 30 wrong, He would
teach them to keep still (This was poor
philosophy, but remember was but a
child).
my father looked at mo for moment.
then walked towards home. My brother
was trembling with emotion in conse'
quence.
We did not tell mother. and as my father
never mentioned it again, we forgot 1t alto.
gether Mother wasn't quite well after
this, though she lived some years, some.
times suffering intensely, then having hours
Of ease. When she was able, she tried to
reconcile me to the thought Of her death.
She would say: Darling, it is only this
poor, suffering body that will be taken
from you. Ny spirit will always be near
you, watching over you. You're not to
grieve, for you will give mo pain. You
must stay with your father and care for
him.
"At first I was perfectly inconsolable;
but when saw her sufferings, and heard
her pray to be taken, I gave her up to God
At last she left u.s. The last words were:
Care for your father and with her arm
about Ben's neck, she fell asleep. obey
ed her, tried to be happy, felt she was near
me- fancied could feel her hand upon my
head, her kiss On my face. After she was
gone father grew more stern. / know he
loved my mother, but he mover mentioned
her.
"Ben was so unhappy that l urged him
to leave and 60 to the city. Father made
no objections, 80 we were lefG alone. did
what could for him, but could get no
nearer.
About year after mothers death he
told me he was obliged to 90 to the city.
Remained few days--then went again,
and again. The last time he brought home
awife-a widow sister of his lawyers. She
had two daughters. Il was an ignorant
countrywoman,' SO they said, and it was
true; had never been at school my only
teacher had been my mother, with whom
had read many modern and ancient au.
thors.
"The new wife had only been there a
few months when my father, true to his
nature, turned his face TO the wall and died
without last word.
"My stepnlothers brother was there.
After the funeral they came to my room,
asked me what intended DONG as | must
now earn my living. She said that my
father had dsinhorited me owing to my
rebellious conduct could, in reviewing
my life, only remember that one childish
act of anger. But did not question the
justice or truth ot what SHE said. Mrs.
Hopkins said. There is all your father
left you, twenty five dollars; this will be
enough TO take you to the city, and then
you must get some situation. You are
only fitted for = servant, as you have no
educetiCh.'
II knew she spoke the truth. | asked
our minister for letter, took last look at
my dearly-loved home, and with the letter
and my fathers Gift, | came to the city.
Saw the advertisement for janitress. and
answered it in person. fortunately, MIR.
Fleming and Mr. Merton had been school.
mates, 60 the letter from him gave me this
position.
Mr.. Fleming has been most kind to
me, and tries 10 make me forget my mental
position. All the tenants treat me with
respect. am always busy. having no tl..e
sor unhappy thoughts. II l only knew my
brother was living, should be content;
but as have had no letters from him since
fathers marriage, and the last time heard
he was on the eve of sailing for South
America, fear he has been lost at sea.
"Now, doctor, you may think 1t strange
that I should thus frankly give you my
whole life, but remember am not o city
lady, but an ignorant country woman"
The doctor said: :. You've done right.
To repay you for it, have good news for
you. II you had Aladdin's lamp what
would you wish for?"
1.-TWO impossibilities, my old home and
brother Ben"
Now listen to my story. Once on
time there was very sick man, who, think.
ing he was going to die, made father con.
fessor Of his doctor told him that he was
lawyer, a few months before had forged
will defrauding an orphan Of her home
for the purpose of enriching his sister.
This girl was made to believe that her
brother was lost at sea-all his letters were
Intercepted. These were written from
South America Now never mind, Miss
Ruth, don't faint nor fall on the floor in
your favorite attitude"
As the doctor was speaking drew closer
70 him. at this caught his hand, exclaim-
ug:
20, my brother is alive Thank God !
Tell me all about it |"
The doctor said "Please don't squeeze
ny hand so, city girls would know better.
Now sit down quietly and l will tell you
Ny patient Mr.. Talbot, is your step
mothers brother He has made all the
reparation in his power. Written to her to
cave, bag and baggage, and to put every
ching IL the exact order you left it. The
words Of kindness you sent the sok man
with the flowers touched his heart; that,
with the fear of death, gives You back your
home and your brother. You are not to
cry ard spoll your face, for I've got favor
to ask. / want you to put your hand in
mine and say with your namesake of Bible
renown: 'Whcreer thou goest l will 60;
thy people will be my people thy God, my
Cod"
don't know what answer ! made, but l
felt myself drawn close to that noble heart,
and feeling Of perfect trust and rest came
to mo. which has never left me, though
more than year has passed since that
happy day.
After q few minutes Of silent Joy the
doctor said 81 have watched you closely
since that day, and have grown to love you
as never thought to love, but did not
intend telling you yet but forgot my in
tentions when l heard the story Of your life
and felt you were SO alone, and as have
none to care for me, Thought perhaps you
would come and be All old mans darling.
l won't ask such an independent woman to
live with me altogether, but you can stay
at my city home one. half of tbs year, and
I will live at your country paradise the
other half. So now MIR. Fleming can get a
new janitress, for in one week from to-day
Iwaht you to take charge of me. I will