Year: 1874

BY GEO. W. sLAYToN.


"Well, Nellie, my daughter, do you
think we shall be able to entertain
your city cousin ?" And kind Mrs
Marston laid down the letter which
she had been reading aloud-a letter
from Harold Brockway-nephew Of
Mrs. Marston's, who lived in New
York City.


81 don't know, mother, it seems to
me he is rather particular for one self
invited, as he is. He says, BE
sure to have the best room in the
house well aired and renovated, the
carriage fixed up and everything in
ship-shape, as l am looking for a good
time when I arrive Considerable for
a stranger to ask, if he is our relative,
don't you think so, mother ?"


eyes, Nellie, but he comes
honest enough by his conceit I
suppose. | remember when his
father came to Wheeling to teach
we used to think he was "little too
much stuck up" as the saying is but
Myra thought he was just right so we
tried to keep quiet, we girls, and not
say anything before her that would
hurt her feelings. as she was very
sensitive, but father used to let out
about him right before her and she,
poor thing, would 60 off by herself
and have a good cry. But | think
had she listened to and taken par.
ent's advice she might have lived a
happier life than she did, though her
life was short after she married Ed
ward Brockway. | suppose she
had a hard cross to bear, but hey
have both gone to their eternal rest !;
peace be with them there, though
they failed to find it here" and Mrs.
Marston wiped a tear from her sweet
face in memory Of her dead sister.


"Did they not live happily together
mother? You know you have never
told me anything about aunt Myra or
her family and Nellie moved her chair
nearer her mothers side.


"No, my daughter, judging from
her letters she must have been
very unhappy, I never saw her after
she married Edward Brockway and
went away from the old home to live
in New York. She died when Harold
was a year old, and Nellie in that year
l suppose she suffered many heart
pang. Poor woman She had not
lived long with her husband ere she
learned he was untrue to his marriage
VOWS from the first after she found
he sought the company of other wo-
men and withheld the attention a
loving wife Graves, she began to fade
and in two years from her marriage
died ola broken heart. I will show
you her letters to me sometime
Poor Myra, You were but one of many
who have found rest only in the grave.
Gods will be done"


"Yes, mother, God took her to him
self that he might heal her wounds,
but dear mother, let us try to make
her son as comfortable as possible,
though he be bred in the city, we will
try TO show him some courtesy, if we
are country born. Perhaps had his
mother lived he would have had a
different bringing up he may not
prove SO difficult to please as his let
er leads US to infer, wait and see"


eyes, Nellie, we will wait and not
condemn our relative until we are
better acquainted with and his ways.
But we must be up and doing for he
says he shall be here some time this
week, it is now Tuesday, only five
days of grace, never despair, l guess
we can make things comfortable tor
him in that time but here comes
father, let's see how he will take the
news" and in walked Mr.. Marston, at
perfect picture of health and happiness.


"What is it mother, letter T. said
Mr. NJ. glanoing at the note on the