Year: 1873

COuiu cNcE k0t Uooiuo ouu suc Ioou,
though poorly furnished, certainly had
the charm Of neatness.


On one side Of tho room was an old
fashioned mahogany table, black with
age, whose slender legs we're so exceed.
ingly thin as rendered it doubtful how
long they would be able to support the
body. Around the room we're arranged a
half dozen chairs. gorgeous in flowers aud
gilt, as when first brought from tho cabi
net shop, and before the fire large com
Portable rocking chair with cane seat,
and which Mrs. Lee afterwards told me
was present from Susie. A piece Of
home made carpet with brilliant stripcs
served as q hearth rug, aud burning on
the newly painted hearth was q cosy FIRE,
before which to keep warm were q Gun.
ming little black tea pot aud two covered
plates. On the high NANTES shelf were
brightly FURNISHED brass candlesticks,
and china vase filed with fragrant
spring flowers. A large family Bible
lay on the table, aud above we're hung the
protiles of the family in small gilt frames


"Come, sit up, Miss Laurie. to our
plain fare. Susie, take the seat on this
side and help the young lady to piece
of ham if che will chose bit"


What delicious cosy supper that was
I am sure never e-joyed another more
than did that. for was terribly hum
cry, and everything looked go clean and
inviting Mrs. Lee also, was SO hospita-
bly, pressing, and treated me with so
much respect; and for the 6rst time l
drank real tea pot tea, not hot water.


Take another slice Of toast, Miss
Laurie, it's so thin you can surely eat
more than one little slice. Well, if you
don't wish any more, try some Of my
cake. Susie, hand the cake and the pre-
serves. You must try to make out your
supper"


l know that all these simple details
please you, my little daughter, but they
would be tiresome to other hearers. l
learned from the conversation between
mother aud daughter that Mrs. Lee had
a son John, at that time at sea, and from
his simple earnings she derived her sup.
port. The small cottage in which she
lived also belonged to her ; and she
concluded, raising her eyes in thankful
prayer: II am sure l ought to be
greatful to God for his many blessings
| owe no man cent, and though am not
rich, yet am IN health, and have two Of
the best children that ever blessed q
mother. Yes, miss Laurie, that child
washing the tea things, l will say, even
before her face, is one of the best daugh.
ters in the world. cannot tell you, and
if did, you would scarcely understand
all she has done for me. May God bless
her, and keep her from evil, daily prays
her old mother"


The tea things being washed and put
away, Mrs. Lee retired to the kitchen, an
adjoining room, to smoke her pipe. Su-
sic and | seated ourselves on the door
steps, as twas twilight and the room had
become warm from the FIRE.


Good evening, Miss SUSIE" said o
young man who leaned over the low gate
~ saw you 60 by this afternoon, and 80 |
thought would call to inquire how you
were."


This salutatlon was very common.
place, as we'll as Susie Lees s answer, yet
the voice Of the young man was agitated,
and my companion was visibly trembling
and blushing as she replied to him.


~ have not heard from you nor of
you," continued he, "for the past two
months. Was this right, Susie? was
this doing as you would be done by :
God knows wo have had no quarrel, and
yet | must suffer all-yes, l repeat it, all
for you surely never loved me, or you
would not treat mo 10 this manner"


"How unkind Of you, Robert, to speak
thus. Never loved you! You men,
speaking Indignantly, "can never under.
stand US thoroughly. 1t is you who
never really loved me, or you would not
reproach mo now for doing my duty, but
would encourage mo. Oh, RobertI'


She had advanced to the gate and
seemed in her grief to be forgstful of my
presence, and so I listened to q real love
scene.


"Why do you drive me to make these
reproaches then, after all that we have
been to each other for the past two years.
You are free woman, as l am a free
man and will you let the quarrel Of two
old women part US for life. You have
no cause to find fault with me, and but
for some meddling fool who had to repeat
to you and your mother what mine Ut.
tered when angry, all this had never
been. But can stand this no longer.
| have followed in your footsteps for tho
last six months, though unchesred by a
kind word of hope from you, and frowned
on by your mother; content to steal like
thief in the dark round your house, so
that | could but catch q single glimpse
of you, or a chance word from your lips,
And then you left here, and my life has
been even without that comfort. But as
l have said, | cannot stand this any
longer, and have made up my mind to let
you decide for me to night. Now, Susie,
if you sves loved me, or do nov, listen to
my proposal. Marry nc st once, dar.
ling, aaa then the old people will Ss OBJ.
4 :.