The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-06-02
AFTER MANY DAYS.


Her parents were not to we'll blessed
with the worlds goods, but had
large family of boys and girls. Grand
ma, wishing to help her son little
and also needing companion to wal
on her, offered to take Annie and keel
her until she was eighteen. Grand
ma was in her way very kind to th,
child, but she was brought up in tn,
"old school, and believed that idle
ness was sin, so Annie was early
trained that she must never allow her
self to be idle a minute from the time
she arose at S o'clock in the morning
until 9 at night, when the work wa.
folded and put carefully aside, the
tired hands were clasped for mo
ment in prayer at grandma's knee
then with good night, 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 the tender
heart longed for her dear mother tc
kiss her goodnight, but she was a
brave little lassie and never murmur-
ed at her lot.
Boy though was, how l 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 a pleasant
"good morning he advanced into the
room.
He gave Annie seat and proceed
ed at once to open the school.
Much to my delight I found that
Annie was seated just across the aisle
from me, and through the medium of
smiles and shy glances we became ac-
quainted. 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. According
ly l went to live with an uncle in a
distant city, and with the exception
of one or two flying visits I did not
see my home for several years. When
I returned I was urged to teach the
district school that winter. Nothing
loath, 1 consented, and as I 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
childhood had promised. Is it any
wonder that my heart returned to its
old allegiance, from which in reality
it never had wandered.
Ny parents were called wealthy
Alter nad oDtaileSle e4d, IN. to. bv
consent to become my wife, / 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
entertained for a moment.
This conversation took place on
Sunday afternoon, and when evening
came 1 went to Annie's home, told
her what had happened, and once
more asked he to become my wife.
My proud little lady I can see
her now as she drew her slight form
up to its 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. l went home almost broken
hearted. Next morning her place
was vacant at school and never saw
my little sweetheart again until long
years had passed and we were both
old and gray.
At the end of ten years I returned
to my native town, my nature entire
ly changed, broken-down, perma-
turely old man. My parents, having
died meanwhile, / settled down on the
farm with a younger sister as house
keeper. She soon left me for home
of her own, and I, after a time, mar
ried the daughter of one of the neigh
boring farmers.
Annie left her grandmother house
when she was eighteen and returned
to her native home, where she met
and married 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, l was left alone
once more.
Seeing in city paper an advertise
ment of widow who wished to OBJ
tain situation as housekeeper, I re-
piled to it, hoping by that means to
find a quiet, elderly woman who
would take charge of my house. 1
received an answer, and after some
little correspondence the lady agreed
to keep house for me for month on
trial. Accordingly at the station next
day 1 awaited the arrival of the train
which was to bring her. As it puff
ed in 1 was conscious of a curious
sensation, rapid beating of my cal
loused old heart which for years had
not known thrill. A tall slight per-
son alighted, and l ilastened to meet
her, feeling intuitively that she was
my housekeeper, I said: "Is this
Mrs. S So" Then l took a sec
ond look, Annie p l exclaimed.
Yes, it was she. The same calm,
blue eyee, the same dear face, the
same sweet smile undimmed by years
of cares and sorrow.
She had engaged to keep house for
me for month and this time would
not cr;x,a 1,ar ,1r o,,or hafora fha