The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-10-29

3So Snrusts ner upon me ana makes
her entirely dependent on my decis-
ions and judgment.
II this overwhelming and stupendous
charge was Arthur's son, would well
come him but with distrust, recollect-
ing his fathers many failings, but |
would cheerfully do the best | could
for him.
| would have brought him here for
his vacations and shipped him off to
college, and looked after him as well,
or as badly, as fathers usually look
after their offspring. | would have
stood by him, and pulled him out OF
the inevitable difficulties he would
have gotten into, as is the way with
youth.
But the ward Providence, in its fan
tastic DEGREES, has seen fit to aiilict ma
with a girl.
Her name is Alma, and she is grow
ing up to womanhood, so Penroy says
in his epistle.
OF course, she must come TO Bran
leigh Hall. | have instructed my
housekeeper, Mrs. Brown, TO prepare
tor her, and it is evident the advent of
this disturbing element in our orderly
household is no more TO her liking than
. to mine.
Well, it cant be helped. Fate has
willed it. The child will be here this
afternoon and until have arranged to
, send her 70 some college-there again.
difficulty 10. ! looms up What do |
| know which college is fitting for
sirl's education? What influences
should surround an uniformed feminine
mind on the verge OF womanhood?
My gray hairs and that experience
which | pride myself is varied and eX-
! tenSive, for having been accumulated
AT q vast COST to myself, stops short
at the education and bringing up of
girl.
Perhaps she will bring herself up.
with complete scorn of my authority.
If she is at all discerning and realizes
on what uncertain theories and ideas
il rests. she will certainly disregard it.
All, my boasted quietude! My life Of
calm, and undisturbed contentment-
what will become of you, with this un-
welcome element thrust upon us?
Alma came last evening
Penroy was wrong. She has already
reached the threshold Of very mag
nifcent womanhood Alma has her
mothers beauty idealized, and, II |
mistake not. an energy neither OF her
parents ever possessed.
Has she Arthurs clever, subtle
brain' His INSCRIPTIONS egotism.
believe absolutely in inherited
traits. Our acquaintance Is too short
for me to decide
| have retreated to the library, with
orders not to be disturbed on any ac-
count, in order to readjust conditions
and work out this terrible problem,
made ten times worse by Alma's
| beauty.
What am to do with her? In JUS
tice to her youth, cannot shut her up
and keep her a prisoner in Branleigh
Hall. But the college idea is out of
the question You can't send re-
markably handsome girl of Is to col
lege TO get rid or her.
Come in! Who is that? You, Mrs.
Brown? Anything the matter with
| Miss Alma? I'm afraid she will find 1t
pretty dull out here in the country.
/ Have you any suggestion to make,
/ Mrs. Brown?"
There are always surprises to n man,
in the feminine way OF looking at
. thin-s.
/ Now. my grca.es, dread had been
that Mrs. Brown. the most faithful
soul in the world and most admirable
hoUgcl-eercr. would resent Alma's
. ccuinr 10 break mp the methodical
ror'tv. Of orr uneyentful lives. was
ar.d she would not be as cordial as
would have desired
Alma had not hncn 81 hours M
Brauloigh when she owned Mrs. Brown
| body and soul. so to speak.
Mrs. Brown came to my study to