The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-05-04
AFTER MANY DAYS.


with the worlds goods, but had q
large family of boys and girls. Grand
ma, wishing to help her son a little,
and also needing a companion to wait
on her, offered to take Annie and keep
her until she was eighteen. Grandma
was in her way very kind to the child,
but she was brought up in the "old
school," and believed that idleness
was sin, so Annie was early trained
that she must never allow herself to
be idle minute from the time she
arose at 5 o'clock in the morning un-
til at night, when the work was fold
ed and put carefully aside, the tired
hands were clasped for a moment in
prayer at grandmmas knee, then with
a goodnight, my child" but with no
tender caress and loving kiss. Annie
crept into her bed, the long lashes
closed over the blue eyes and the
weary child was fast asleep. No
doubt many times the tender heart
longed for her dear mother to kiss her
goodnight, but she was a brave little
lassie and never murmured at her lot.
Boy though l was, how 1 admired
the trim, dainty figure in its white
pinafore as she stood waiting for the
teacher.
Soon he came in, and the merry
voices were hushed and the armchair
suddenly vacated, as with pleasant
N0nnd ,crD hn o6uonnoI int thA
room.
He gave Annie seat and proceeded
at once to open the school.
Much to my delight l found that
Annie was seated just across the aisle
from me, and through the medium
of smiles and shy glances we became
acquainted. Many were the offerings
of rosy apples and other dainties that
found their way mysteriously into
Annie's desk.
The next day my father decided to
send me away to school. Accordingly
l went to live with an uncle in a dis
tant city, and with the exception Of
one or two flying visits l did not see
my home for several years. When l
returned l was urged to teach the
district school that winter. Nothing
loath, l consented and as l entered
the familiar old room one winters
day my eyes fell once more upon the
sweet face of my former playmate, now
grown to be a tall girl of II. Even
more beautiful was she than her child
hood had promised. Is it any wonder
that my heart returned to its old al
legiance, from which in reality it
never had wandered.
My parents were called wealthy
farmers. and were looked up to by
the community as "aristocracy."
After l had obtained my darling's
consent to become my wife, 1 inform
ed them of my intentions. Great was
the storm thereof! That their son
should think of marrying a poor girl
who was almost bound out to earn her
living. The idea was not to be en-
tertained for moment
This conversation took place on
Sunday afternoon, and when evening
came l went to Armies home, told
her what had happened, and once
more asked her to become my wife.
My proud little lady! can see ner
now as she drew her slight form up
to it's full height and with her naughty
little head thrown back gave me my
dismissal She would wed no one
whose family refused to receive her.
In vain were my pleadings. 1t never
could be and we must not meet again.
/ went home almost broken-hearted.
Next morning her place was vacant
at school and 1 never saw my little
sweetheart again until long years had
passed and we were both old and
gray.
At the end of ten years l returned
to my native town, my nature entire
ly changed, a broken-down, prema-
turely old man. My parents, having
died meanwhile, l settled down on the
farm with younger sister as house
keeper. She soon left me for home
of her own, and l. after a time, mar,
ried the daughter of one of the neigh.
boring farmers.
lClI hCA AOuoO
when she was IS and returned to her
native home, where she met and mar
ried a good man, with whom she lived
happily many years. Time passed,
my wife died suddenly, and, as the
children were happily settled in
homes of their own, was left alone
once more.
Seeing in a city paper an advertise
ment of a widow who wished to OBJ
tain a situation as housekeeper, re-
piled to it, hoping by that means to
find quiet, elderly woman who would
take charge of my house. l received
an answer, and after some little cor
respondence the lady agreed to keep
house for me for month on trial.
Accordingly at the station next day
awaited the arrival of the train which
was to bring her. AS it pulled in |
was conscious Of curious sensation,
a rapid beating of my calloused old
heart which for years had not known
a thrill. A tall slight person alighted
and fastened to meet her, feeling in.
tuitively that she was my housekeep-
er. as this Mrs. So" said; then
as l took a second look, "Annie!"
exclaimed. Yes, it was she. The
same calm, blue eyes, the same dear
face, the same sweet smile undimmed
by years of cares and sorrow.
She had engaged to keep house for
me for a month and this time would
not give her up. Long before the
month ended had won her consent
i to remain for life, and one June morn
| inc forty vearc from tho tima cot for