The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-12-19

about tea, and she felt better after
drinking il. Altogether she was In
quite cheerful mood when the little
daughter OF her landlord came TO wish
her a merry Christmas and bring an
Invitation from her mother TO eat her
Christmas dinner with them. Dinner
would lie at half past 2. Miss Acker-
mann thanked them very much and
would dine with them with pleasure.
Then she gave the little girl the pres
ent she had ready for her, stylish
young lady doll dressed In the latest
fashion, with coat and hat complete. a
gift which made Its recipient radiant,
and sent her or to exhibit II at once.
The sermon Gods Christmas Gifts"
from the text "Wait upon the Lord,
thy heart" made her homesick again.
the desire Of her heart seemed so ex-
ceedlngly far of. Miss Ackermann
was not one Of those who forget, hard
as she had tried not to remember. She
found her thought straying back ten
years TO the seaside. to her old home
and Jack. Their parents were neigh
bors. Her father and mother lived In
the little fishing town and took board
ers in the season. His father was the
farmer who supplied them with yege
tables and fruit Jack drove the wagon
which brought the daily supply to the
cottages. They would have known
each other in any case, but the morn
ing interviews over lettuce aud straw
berries. melons and tomatoes brought
them closer together.
Every one approved OF their engage
ment. and the day was set, when q
great misfortune happened-her moth
er and Oldest sister were Killed In 4
buggy which they were driving by
train at a railroad crossing. This was
bad enough surely. but troubles hunt
10 couples" and the blow seemed TO af.
feet her fathers mind He became al
most childish, took TO bis bed and
would have no one but her walt upon
him. To complete the roll OF disaster
her brother suddenly brought home as
his wife girl whom none OF bis
friends wonld have chosen. aud the
old man would not let his daughter-in'
law come near him. To tell the truth,
she had no desire 10 help Miss Acker-
mann 10 her duties She had married
Cor q step up and said plainly that she
did not mesn 10 slave TO please any
body
You sec how II Is. Jack" Miss Ack-
ermsnn said. with streaming eyes. Il
cannot leave father. even for you"
Bring him 10 our house with you"
replied Jack. There IN plenty Of room.
aud father aud mother won't mind"
"No. Jack: thanks ever so much. but
< that wouldn't do any good. Father
wouldn't be satisfied Besides, he takes
10 80 much OF my time iiIa, ! couldn't
do nv duty by YOU" And Jack had to
submit with the hest grace he could
I muster
Unfortunately he consulted the doc
tor who attended Mr. Ackermann as
10 the probable Il ration ~ the old
mans iilucss
The doctor assured Inn that the
T trouble was chieay hyppchondris and
that he might liv. for years IN the
same state ~ might possibly recover
ss suddenly as ~ had collapsed. Al all
events the patient was In no Immedl-
ate dagger,
The inquiry would have done nc
harn had Il not ireen that the doctor
had r taking wife 10 whom be told
everything. so i-.fsFe long the whole
neigiilorho..t Was saying that Jack
Rsls,on hah i-s.n nskiug how long old
msn AeksrBann conld lire. of cenr-"
/ the stars cam~ ta Miss Acsernsnn's
ears. Is her Intense Indignation and
still greater grief lack could not deny
. II IA toto. ard short Of positive denial
che npald listen 10 no explanation.
Ther~ vas quarrel. lsroken engage
neui. aud lack Balsion wen, west.
leaving his sweetheart, well nigh bto
ksn hearted. with oaly dgy 10 console