Year: 1879

"And do you really regret 1t, Julia2 We
may regret the imprudcnco in our former
style of living, and we may sorrow for the
misfortunes which have come upon us, but
we need not repent VI our marriage"


"Was not that the cause of it all ~ was
the bitter reply. :.


Deeply gricved, the husband turned and
left the house.


The day was a sad One-and when an
hour or two before the r"la time for his re-
turn, Henry was borne INTO the house by
two men, and the unhappy little family
were told that an accidental fall upon Tie
ice had resulted in broken leg, the last
drop seemed to have been added to the al
ready brimming cup.


From the night of agony which followed,
Julia was different, and in some respects,
a better woman.


Hitherto there had been lingering feel
ing Of pride which had prevented her from
coming forward at her husbands side to
struggle against the misfortuncs which had
come upon them. She had shrank back de-
sparing and powerless. Now she was
reused into energy.


Something must be done, and with the
consciousness of what dcvolvcd upon her,
came an earnest prayer for strcngth-a look
AhS up"diu NllCh was HOI UCT WOuC.


Nothing presented itself to her mind but
plain sewing, and this she was well aware
would afford them but miserable pittancc
Still it would be better than nothing, an
application was at once made toa kind
ncighbor, aud through her Influence work
was speedily obtained


Often when her employers would urpe
her to abate few pennies on the usual
price, and assure her that 1t was for her in
tcrcst to work cheap, she would sigh deeply
rs she remembered her own feelings in for
mcr days, and the truth of aunt Fanny's
words forced itself upon her mind. The
suffcrings proceeding from the want of UNI
son of the interests of the employer and the
employed were now her own


And where was aunt Fanny during this
lapse Of years2 Faithfully and unweariedly
had she performed the duties which she had
taken upon herself. That task was now
ended. That aged relative, to whose wants
she had 80 long minstered, had at length
gone home. Once more aunt Fanny's
heart turned to her native land. Friends of
her earlier years rose before her, and she
longed to meet them again face to face. The
few necessary arrangements were soon
made, and ere many weeks had passed she
had once more crossed the broad ocean, and
was welcomed with kindly greetings by
many whom she had known and loved.


One of her first inquiries was for Julia,
for 1t was very long since she had heard
from her.


News of the failure of Mr.. Lawrence in
business had reached her, and rumors of
various underlined misfortunes had from
time to time came to her knowlege, but
not one word Of direct information. The
mother of Julia had been very dear friend,
and aunt Fanny felt a yearning tenderness
for her child.


So she sought out and called at her home.


That day had been a discouraging one for
Julia, even more 80 than usual.


A little excrtion had brought on Henry's
fever again, and the physician who was
summoned to attend him had spoken in
strong terms of the absolute necessity for
perfect rest and freedom from excitement.


How was this possible when hour after
hour he must lie upon his back and see his
wife toiling beyond her strength for their
maintenance And then it was sometimes
difficult to procure work, and Julia abso-
lutely trembled as she thought Of the suffer-
ings they must undergo should this means
of support be cut off.


Some kind ncighbor had advised her to
apply at collar mandatory near by,
where many women and young girls found
constant employment


She had done so with success and at the
moment that her old friend entered she was
gazing mournfully upon dozen collars
which she had taken upon trial. They
were nicely stitched by sewing machine,
and she had engaged to bind thom and make
three button holes in each for the small
sum of one cent apiece "a starving price,"
she mlrmured to herself, and then seemed
lost in Il sud reverie from which she was
aroused by the soft voice Of aunt Fanny.


Julia looked up in surprise, but in an in
stant her wonder was turned into Joy, and
twining her arms around aunt Fanny's neck
she sobbed like little child.


Composure was at length restored, and
then there was go much to tell and to be
told that the good lady took off her bonnet
and said she should make herself quite at
home, and pass the evening with them.


"You cannot be at home here" said
Julia, "because 1t is not pretty enough for
home"


But to this aunt Fanny answered:


"lome Is wherever we find those We
love. 1t matters little in what place we
find chem. So this Is my home for the
evening, and now, Julia, as your husband
needs attention, just give me your work
and will sew fer. you, My thimble Is in
my pocket as usual. You see retain my
old habits"
was the reply N
A,"Elere Is my work--to bind these collars.
DO you remember our conversation tho day
that purchased those cheap collars.2 Every
word Of 1t is fresh In my mind. was very
thoughtlcss then--but o, aunt Fanny, V too
have now had a peep behind the scenes. Y .


'ssYou have, indeed, my poor child; but
now to your husband, and when he is con,.S
fortably arranged we will sit together by
his bedside and have a quiet chat


The events Of years were soon talked
over and ere aunt Fanny rose to bid thomf
good night she said: .5 si


tAnd now, my dear young friends, / am
ready TO accept your former invitation and
become an inmate of your family"


20 aunt Fanny" exclaimed julia eve
!, :. II