Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-01-14
MARCELLA'S YEAR


written Specially for The Bul1etin.)
Twas New Years day, and Marcel
as father had told her his plans for
the year.
But, Daddie, 1 don't want to go
away off among strangers. don't
little bit. Why haven't you told me
more about them? And why can't /
go to school here at the west2 And
why"
There, there, little girl interrupt
ed her father, zone thing at a time. i
was never a ready 1etter-writer, and
neither was brother James, and we
both have been busy men. I came
west to the mines; luck was against
me for time, but now 1 have made
my pile and can count dollars with
Jim, if he is a Boston banker. / want
you to be better educated than you
can be here. If your mother had lived
1t would be different" he added with a
sigh.
/ But, Dad, dear" persisted Mar
Frisco? Then I'd come home oftener.
and you could come to see me-
No, my child, I am sure the other
way is the best, though / hate to part
with you even for a year.
Then Marcella changed to wheed-
ling.
Now, then. Daddie, who will look
after you? You know you can't fix
your tie or make yourself look nice
without me. Who will ride over the
ranch with you when 1 am gone; and
who'll have your coffee ready when
you come in tired at night? You
can't do without me, L am sure,'' and
sMarcella stopped to pat her fathers
broad shoulders and kiss the bald spot
on his head, where he felt a tear drop
with the kiss.
Don't make it too hard for me,
child; 1 am sure I am right, but you
know 1t is hard for me to refuse you
anything"
useless, Marcella set about her pre-
parations for the journey sad at heart.
Meanwhile, her advent WAS discussed
in the Boston home, where the house,
hold consisted of her Uncle James, his
wife and two daughters.
She may not take civilization read
fly at first" wrote Marcella's father.
"she has known SO little of it in her
life on the ranch. I have tried to
supply her with teachers, and you will
not find her entirely ignorant of
books, but the restraints Of society
will be hard for her.
Mrs James Whitney readily con-
scented to receive her husbands niece,
though she inwardIy quaked with con-
sternation at the prospect. She was
a gentle, refined woman, well grounded
in all the established customs of her
native city, and to her a. breach of ETH
quette seemed equal to a moral trans
gression; but for her husbands sake
she would venture much. OF her
daughters not so much could be ex-
pecte1. Margaret, the older, was much
sought at society functions, and was
a favorfte in spite of her naughty, re-
served manner. The younger, Char
lotte. still in school. was nearer Mar
cella's age.
How delightful" she exclaimed;
now I shall have company in my
walks to school And I hope she will
like u.s.
1.-The question in my mind" said
Margaret, lis. shall we like her. She
often, / fear. You'll find her a great
care, Mamma, and we shall soon wish
her back on tire western ranch 1
confess 1 look upon her as an intrud-
err"
well, Margaret, I am t11unkful she
is my age instead of yours" interrupt
ed Charlotte, for / am glad she is
coming and mean she shall have a
good time here. We kids viii not get
in your way amy more than we can
help. you may rest assured, and
know Papa wants her to come. He
night"
Every WE'LL replied her sister with
a scornful little laugh, eff you and
Papa have settled it. there is no more
to be said
On entering her home a few DAYS
later, Charlotte heard voices from the
library and hastened to greet her
new-found cousin. She rushed into
the room and made herself known by
giving Marcella a genuine schoolgirl
hug and kiss. saying at the same time,
81 am 50 glad you are here. We shall
be great ohufns, I am sure. Papa has
arranged for your entrance into Miss
Hopper's as a day pupil so we shall
have lots ftime to go about sight
seeing this winter
Marcella hardly knew how to re-
pond to this hearty greeting, but man :
aged to stammer out some reply.
Truth to tell, she was overwhelmed
with the strangeness of it all. Mrs.