Year: 1873

''Why. this is my birthday e1-
claimed Miss Felisse, as her eye fell on
the date of the morning paper she had
been reading. 81 had forgotten it until
now. Forty to-day; | wonder if look
that old p and she stood before the
glass, where the handsome appoint
ments of her room were mirrored, and
looked critically at the prim, pleasant
face and angular figure reflected there.
Forty to-day, and still unmarried; !
am an old maid at last. 1t is no use
trying to disguise it any longer. No
one would mistake me for anything but
a maiden lady of increasing uncertain
age. and she flashed a swift smile of
comical dismay, and heaved mock
sigh. showing the natural mirthful spir-
it still alive under the outward repres-
sion. Shaking her soft grayish curls at
the pictured face in the glass, saying
Its no use, my dear. you have been
weighed i'll the balance and are sadly
wanting in those attractions necessary
to secure a kindred spirit. They say
that while there is life there is hope.
but it is always best to he resigned to
the worst. and Fate, who has dealt
pretty kindly with you in regard to the





unkind cut in reserve"


She sat down in deep easy chair by
the low window. and holding the paper
idly i'll her hand, her thoughts ran on i'll
the same strain: Il remember when
was Il young girl scorned the idea of
being an old maid. never dreamed
would live to this age and still he sin
gle, and yet | never had an offer.
had Il lover oncc-Ben Whitney.
wonder what has become of himP
haven't heard of him since he was mar
ried and went West twenty years ago.
But never regret my lonely lot after
going the rounds of my married ac
quaintances. | always come home and
congratulate myself on a lucky escape
from matrimony. There is Matti,
Smith-such bright, pretty girl as she
was, when we were at school together.
She married Il sober and Industrious
mechanic, who was getting good wages.
and took up ioyfully, hopefully, a life
of narrow means and small economies,
expecting love to compensate for all the
hardships. had not seen her for some
time, so | went to look her up the other
day.


The three older children trooped
down to the gate to meet me, with the
wonderful news that they had baby
in the house-as if this was not an usu-
al occurrence, certain rs the coming of
Christmas or Fourth of July. | found
| the poor, tired, Over-wOrked mother.
dragging herself wearily from one
household duty to another. with one
child in her arms, and another, only II
baby itself, clingng to her skirts. She
had no servant; help was too expensive
and wasteful; her husband was ver}
kind and considerate, assisting her all
he could; but he could not leave his
work, and his wages are now the same
as when there were two instead of seven
to support. | next called ON cousin
Sarah. | had heard that her husband
had been drinking more than usual
yesterday, and thought she would like
to see the face of friend. She is very
proud and did not mention the trouble
that lay heavy on her heart, until Just
before | came away something touched
ii tender chord, and she s0bbed out all
her sorrows with her head on my shoul
der. Poor thing, | pitied her, for she
has no children to comfort the lonely
hours of his neglect. | offered what
consolation could, and left her quite
cheerful with the hope of his reforma-
ton.


There goes little Tommy Timmons.
on the other side of the street. I'll
venture his wife never shed tear over
his conduct; nice, dutiful little fellow,
so Obedient, and willing to run on er-
rands But, then, he wouldn't suit me
for Il husband-tOo much like taking Il
boy to raise. His wife stands a head
taller than he, and the neighbors do say
though | don't know how true it is
that when she wants to attract his at
tentiOn to anything, she takes him by
the ear and turns his face-in that direc-
| ton.


There is Mrs. Judge Starr coming
down the steps to get into her carriage.
One would think she ought to he happy
with her husband, who is Il man of i'll
tellect, wealth, and high standing among
the people, her beautiful home, ami
those two beautiful little children, who
are throwing kisses and calling good
bye, mamma, from the upper windows,
as the carriage whirls away. But there