Year: 1877

| hALfh thANh mARSDENs


"My life up to eighteen was passed
like other girls, in school most of the
time. That year became acquainted
with a young man named Ralph Gra-
ham, who came to our village as clerk
to Mr.. Page. He was fne-looking, and
paid me much attention and | felt not
a little fattered in that he preferred me
to other girls of our acquaintance. l
knew he was what is called fast young
man, yet he was polite and fascinating,
and took pains to anticipate my wishes
and made himself very agreeable. AS
time went on. and we were much togeth-
er. began to feel that l was at least
tacitly bound to him. discovered that
the habit Of drinking was growing upon
him, and although he tried to hide it
from me, it was yet often too plainly
seen to pass unnoticed. He would some
times go away few days, and people
would say, Ralph has gone off on a
spree AS these absences grew more
frequent l became alarmed, for my heart
was bound up in Ralph and anything
he did that was an injury to himself af-
fected me also l felt it my duty to
speak to him about it. l accordingly
talked with him as gently as possible,
but instead of listening kindly, he was
offended and said angrily:


"If you are turning preacher / be-
lieve l will bid you goodnight" and he
left me and the place for long year,
during which time did not see him or
hear from him. had become so attach
ed to him that the estrangement was
very hard to bear said to myself, if
he will come back | will -roeeive him,
even with his bad habits, my love had
become so strong, but he did not come
During this period l was wanted to
teach school in town few miles dis
tant, and needing occupation for my
mind, | consented to teach. Mr.. Frank
Marsden was trustee, and his home be-
ing but short distance from my school,
he said could board with himself and
sister if choose. This was agreeable
to me, and l consented to the arrange
ment which proved very satisfactory.
| Mr.. BIdrsuen Was IuVOIIIS 0uv ouu InVSf-
esting, and could discourse upon any
topic in way that would hold whoever
he conversed with in a pleased, expect
ant state. He gave me many valuable
hints in regard to teaching and some
times called at my school and talked to
my pupils. After time found myself
drawing comparisons between him and
Ralph. Although Ralph still held my
heart and found it impossible to put
him out of it, 1 could see there was a
vast difference in the real worth and in
telligence of the two men, and the diff.
ference was largely in favor of Mr.. Mars
den. The latter had happy faculty Of
making me feel on an intellectual plane


with himself although l knew he was
far in advance of me. He drew out whai


was best in me and lifted me higher al


it were.


His attentions and kindness were hav
ing their influence upon me, and as the
, influence strengthened, l found my love
for Ralph diminishing. saw Mr.. Mars
den was growing partial to me and


felt growing regard for him, although
he was twice my age. l found, befor
the close of the year, myself asking
} which was the dearer, Ralph or Frank
for 1 was becoming quite as happy ant


more contented with Mr.. Marsden thai
with Ralph. Upon the close of schoo
Mr.. Marsden said, "Miss Thomas, W
: want you to stay with us as visitor 70
7 a week or two. We cannot let you G
all at once. You have frightened u


our old house wonderfully" wa
pleased with the invitation and remain
E ed willingly. We rode almost every da
r and had much enjoyment.


: "My time is up" 1 said one day
: 'and if you will make out my boar


bill, will pay it."


g "Your bill ~ he said. 81 hope 20
j don't think me so miserly as to take pa
}, for the little time you have been wit
/: u.s."


u at has been nearly year," said.


"Well. your presence in our home hi
: made time seem short. If you woul
: make it ten years, it would be sho
it still-Why can't you stay all the while
d then he hesitated and appeared confu
y ed, then added softly:


r. "Will you not come some day an
y make my home your home ?"
lie replied as if did not understar
T. him.


80 - IL think l have made your home n
IS home for some time. If you will tai
th me home now, perhaps if you like it,
Id may come and make you another Wis
Sc that is, if you will take the trouble
r. come for me-


ne agreed" quite hopefully, for he to
pit it that if went there it would be to
Oh main.


~ Well would it have been had l ful