Juniata sentinel and Republican. (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, March 23, 1892, Image 1

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B, F. SOHWEIER, THE OONSTITUTION-THE UNION-AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS. Editor and Proprietor.
VOL. XL VI. MIFFLINTOWIN. JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA.. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 23. 1S9-2. NO. 14.
BREAKING STONES.
BI MART (iEAHAM, AUTHOR OF
MARGARET ELLISON, AO.
CHAPTER I.
The old lady looked up from her
knitting and smiled to herself in per
fect content. Her bright glance
passed from one to the other of the
young people, and then returned to
her kniting, which resembled Penel
ope's weaving in being ripped out
many times and done over again. At
last, however, she had come to a clear
place, where there was no narroniog,
no "drop one, knit two together, throw
the thead over etc.," but plain, straight
knitting, which she could do almost as
well as if no interesting couple were
engrossing all her thongts.
Everything was turning ont admir
ably; the two seemed to have taken to
each other at once, and she was settling
the rest of it for them in her own
mind. The engagement should be a
short one; Harry's practice wonld
never increase, (she might have said
would never begin', until be bad mar
ried and settled down. As for Freder
ika, what could bo better for her than
to thus early provided with a home of
her own?
The youDg girl was a nieco of Mis.
Derrickson's deceased husband; while
Harry Frazitr, the oid lady's only
remaining blood relation, was grand
son to her well beloved brother Henry,
who had lost his life years before in
the service of his country, and whose
son and grandson had successively in
herited the full meed of love and
authority which Mrs. Derrickson had
once bestowed upon him.
Frederika had (.pent most of her
young life in boarding school. Evtr
since she could r. member, she had
heard of a stately old lady whom her
father called Madame DerricksoD, but
whom her mother always mentioned
with some affection and much respect
as Aunt Frederika.
She had known that her aunt was
in reduced circumstances, and this
wonld have seemed sufficient reason,
had there been no other, why at the
death of her parents, no offer should
have been made to provide for her
from that quarter.
Years had pasted; the expenses of
her education bad been paid by her
grandfather Smith until his death.
His estate had been swallowed np by
debts and lawyer's fees, and nothing
waa left for the young girl, but a pretty
fair education, with which to make her
way in the world.
She had just finished the course
marked out for her in Madame Bocher's
fashionable school, and that lady gave
her every reason to hope that there
would be no difficulty in obtaining a
situation where she might impart to
others, those accomplishments which
were now all she had to depend upon.
Her little stock of pocket money
was well nigh exhausted in advertising
and answering advertisements. Ma
dame was beginning to grow impatient :
it woald not be in her heart to turn
Mademoiselle ont "but but reelly
when so many new pupils were wait
ing for vacancies, the deefleulty in
keeping Mademoiselle after the close
of the season must be very apparect
n'eat ce pas?''
Frederika comprehended, but her
courage did not yet fail her. She was
young and high spirited, and felt sure
something wonld "turn up", though
she did not intend to wait for it to do
so, but would go out and diligently
search for it.
One day about the middle of Febru
ary when her hopes were begin
ning to lose that bright tinge which
had hitherto distinguished them, word
was brought to her that Madam wished
to see her in her reception room. She
found the principal in close confabula
tion with a handsome old lady, whom
the hopeful girl conceived at once to
be the grandmother of some future
charge of her own.
On a motion from Madam, Frederika
sat down at a little distance, and soon
bad the pleasure of feeling herself
keenly observed by a pair of bright
brown eyes, determined to read her
through. Soon however, the young
girl had an opportunity of making
her own observations, as the lady
resumed her conversation with Madam.
There was something which both
attracted and re -oiled her in the old
lady. Her firm bet mouth expressed
determined will, and woe to anyone
who might oppose it! While her spark
ling eye bore evidence quite contra
dictory, being indicative of geniality,
kindness, and a strong sense of humor.
Her manners were not calculat d to
give any more decide I an impression
of her character, being a mixture of
frankness and reserve, humor and
haughtiness, which formed a thin veil
for the strong will which was an un
xnistakable characteristic.
"Well," thought Frederika, after
baving puzzled for some time over the
charaoter of her future patron, ''There
is one thing certain; be you nice, or be
' you disagreeable, you are surely rich
and can afford to pay me handsomely
for all I shall have to do or endure,"
and she cast a second glance at the
elegant velvet cloaK with its harmonious
accompaniments, and thinking that
nothing else could have been appropri
ate for the stately old lady who wore
them.
Her meditations were interrupted
by Madam, who, in a sweeter tone than
he had usd to her for some time
asked her "to go upstairs and bring
down ber Roll .Book.
When she returned trom this wel
come errand, she found the old lady
standing up, and apparently about to
take her departure.
Madam took the loil-botk, smiling
weet thanks, and went into the school
room, leaving the two alone together,
without ever, the ceremony of ai in
troduction. "As you -re 11 Derrickson, anl not
one bit Smith except in name, you are
to go upstairs and pet ready to come
home with me." Thus the old lady
spoke to the astonished girl.
Frederika s head seemed to go loncd
and round, while hev heart almost stood
still, but she quickly recovered herself,
and said, in a tone whict might have
meant either astonishment or tender
ness: "Aunt Frederika!"
'Yes, it is, indeed;" and the old
lady's arm was around her waist, and
her eyes were looking steadily down
into those of her great-niece, whom
he had never before seen.
Frederika met her gaze with un
flinching eye, and perhaps it was aa
well for the old lady to see that the
younger one was not one to be easily
daunted. It might be that their wills
would clash, and if they did I
And now, my dear, go np and pack
your things. I shall be bacc for you
at three o'clock, the train starts at ball
iter."
Frederika went np to her room com-
pletely dazed, this her Aunt Derrick
son? This a -widow in reduced circum
stances? This elegant mannered, hand
somely dressed lady? It mutt be so
then, and it was wonderful how her
old ideas Tanished. amnff place like
mist before the snn, to the actual and
pa.i '
There seemed nothing ele to be done
than to accent ber aunt's kind Invito'
tion for the present; bnt as for tilting
down quietly to eat the bread of de
pendence for the rest of her days, that
was not to be thought of for a moment.
She was not one to fight against Provi
dence, however, and it could but be
right to accept the protection of one
who seemed raised up so unexpectedly
at a t me when she bad known of no
other earthly friend to whom she might
tnrn, in her great need.
Frederika did not know it, but be
fore the journey was over, she was
comfortably established in the good
graces uf the old lady. It was only
from the strictest sense of duty that
the latter bad undertaken the journey,
and it isfvery certain that if the young
girl had not happened to strike her
fancy as "all Derrickson and not one
bit Smith," she would have returned
home alone, after making such provi
sion for her niece's future as her limited
means would allow.
Her sense of justice told her that
Frederika was co-heir with Harry
(Harry, her pet, her darling) to the
little property she would leave behind
her. It had always been her wish that
the little home where she had lived so
long in one of the prettiest streets of
West Philadelphia, should remain in
the family for all future generations.
She had never before seen her way
clear to the accomplishment of this ob
ject, but now the difficulty was solved,
the Oordian knot cut, a-;d Frederika,
all Derrickson as she had proved to be,
should become the wife of dear, lovely,
noble Harry.
f rederika rather learned to ureaa
the dear boy before the journey was
over, as she could not but draw the
conclusion from her aunt's description,
that he was not only very talented, and
very good locking, but somen h it
spoiled, and accustomed to have his
own way in everything. She was pleas
antly disappointed therefore, to be
greeted at the door by a tall, really
good looking specimen of humanity,
who seemed to place himself on a cous
inly footing with the new inmate,
making ber feel perfectly at home with
him at once.
There was something very winning
in his face and manner, and Frederika
made np her mind at once, that she
should like him. As for him, he fell
captive at once to those handsome
brown eves, and before the evening
was over, the two felt as though they
had known each other all their lives.
It was a merry trio that sat around
the snug little centre table, finding out
subject alter su eject 01 common inter
est; and neither of the others contrib
uted more to the entertainment than
the mistress of the house, who was as
lively as a young girl.
The two young people were no kin
to each other, but as they were to live
under the same roof at present, Mrs.
Derrickson had requested them to pre
fix "Cousin," to each other's Christian
names rather than the more formal
Mr. and Miss which they would other
wise have used.
Just as both had willingly consented
to this arrangement, Nancy, Mrs. Der
rickson's only servant came in to see
about the coal in the low down grate,
and after she had finished, she bade
them each good-night.
in her warm
Irish fashion
" "Good-night, my dear Lady. Good
night Miss Freddie, and good-night,
Mr. Harry; ohl I beg your pardon, I
meant Doctor, bnt that other waa a
slip of the tongue to be sure."
"Are you a doctor ?" Frederika
could hardly help asking, as the girl
shut the door, and something in the
manner of her two companions made
her laugh outright Harry laughed
too, and blushed like a modest maiden,
then looked at his aunt as if entreating
her to answer for him.
"Certainly, my dear," replied Mrs.
Derrickson, with dignity, "I thought I
tola you that on the journey."
"Perhaps you did, but I did not
take it in; everything baa been so new
and strange to-day. You don't look
much like a 'saw-bones' as Sam Weller
would say, and I don't wonder that
Nancy forgot your title.''
.tier only excuse is that she has
Vnnvn Afi.tliAr TTarrv
since he was a
babe in arms, but now, my dears, we
had better bid each other good-nigbt.
good-nigbt.
Fredericka waa assigned a little room
which opened into her aunt's, and the
two conversed very pleasantly together
while undressing. She had decided
not to mention ber plans until morn
ing, knowing well that she would meet
with opposition from her aunt, and
thinking it best not to commence the
discussion until after they had obtained
a good night's rest.
Those handsome outfits bad misled
more than one with regard to the old
lady's income. She might have told
those interested that they had been
worn in the palmy days of yore, when
her dear husband bad lavished upon
her everything that heart could de
sire. Since then, they had seen serv
ice for many a year, but it really
seemed that as long as there remained
a Mrs. Derrickson to graoe those
clothes, so long would the impression
of their original splendor cling to them.
Fre.lerika liked her aunt; admired
her; looked ip to her, but she would
have been willing to exchange a por
tion of all this, for just one dash of
hearty, genuine love; that could not be
just at first it seemed. Perhaps the
two would grow to each other and a
warm feeling of affection spring np
between them; bnt it it should come,
it would not be the growth of an hour.
Her first night in her new home was
one of almost d.eamless slumber, until
just before she awoke in the morning
when the thought she ran triumphantly
to her aunt, carrying in ber hands one of
Harry Frazier's golden locks as the
fruits of her first quarter's labors in
Madam Somebody's school.
"Now comes the tug -f war," she
thought to herself, as she opened her
eyes hardly needing tha dream to re
mind her that she bad an unpleasant
task to fulfil.
Her aunt was already stirring about
in the next room, and Frederika, who
could sleep no longer, resolved to fol
low her good example of early rising.
"Why child," said her aunt, coming
to the room door, "There is no use in
your getting np so early; we do not
breakfast until eight, and yon will not
know what to do with yourself if yon
begin the day so soon."
"Oh yes," replied Frederika, plung
ing boldly into her subject, "I intend
going over to the city right after break
fast, to look for something to do."
"What?" exclaimed the old lady,
dropping her brush in speechless sur
prise; "How do you mean, find some
thing to do?"
" 'Getting mine own living' " quoted
Frederika. "I have always looked
forward todoing that as soon as I had
finished my schooling."
You shall do no Bach thing so long
as yon are under my roof, Frederika
Smith " ami Mm. Derrickson. after
picking up her brush walked away with'
....... i .1 ; ; . a Vi o Arvnlil ivk
i a atntalT flio-nltv. lor BOS oouiu vv
gtatelv even in deshabille.
Had her aunt possessed the riches of
Croesus, Frederika's wish would have
been for independence, but under the
circumstances the wish took the form
of a positive duty.
A stranger might Lave been sur
prised at hearing the word "poverty"
used in connection with Mrs. Derrick
son's name; Frederika herself might
have dona so, before penetrating below
the surface of things which one even
ing bad enabled ber to some extent, to
do. To be sure it was not the pinch
ing, abject poverty which sees starva
tion staring in its face but it was a
"want of income" as Mrs Derrickson
herself expressed it, which made it
necessary to turn every cent to the
best advantage, and which the young
girl well knew wonld not be improved
by the addition of an idlo member to
the family.
Frederika followed her, determined
to settle the question then and there.
"Aunt," she began, "I have no de
sire to be disrespectful, or to do any
thing contrary to your wishes, but
conscience co-incides with my feelings
about this, and I feel that it ia my duty
to trv and find something to do. 11
' you forbid my doing so while under
your root, I snail
uation either in
try to obtain a ait-
boarding-school or
as resident governess'in a family.
Mrs. Derrickson gazed at her niece
in amazement, at the same time unable
to surpress a feeling of admiration for
the young thing, making thus early in
life and in the morning, her "Declar
ation of Independence." There she
stood, her eyes shining with a burning
li.rl.t
the effect of whicn was neignt-
a k . f .W in hr rhreks-
her red lips were pressed together j
with determination, and in her whole
attitude there was not the slightest
r v;Minr. ;
Tf it w ata nnvnne lmt von. I should 1
call it an insult, to think of such a
. 1. i I.ii f T Mnnil nnurr.. with vnn !
iust vet. nor would it be worth while, .
for you will not find it so easy as you
think to find such a situation."
Frederika felt that the worst part of
the battle was over, especially when
her aunt added:
"You need not accept anything
which would prevent your coming
home at night."
In her heart, the old lady hoped that
no position wonld be obtainable for her,
niece and at any rate, it would not be
for long, for things had gone so well
the night before and she had it all ar
ranged now, that the engagement
should be a very short one.
Frederika was delighted w
Harry's exclamation of surprise when
her intention was announced at the
I breakfast table, but not quite so much
J so when he offered to accompany her
' informing her that he was well ac
quainted with the whereabouts of
Young Ladies' Seminaries in the city
they had always had ft particular at
traction for him etc. etc. Frederika
laughingly declined his services, feel- j
inginaisne oou.u nnu lUB uefucu
formation m uireciur, ,u.u
a i: a
oe ootainea at any arug re.
.,7". ' "'"?.'"" ""-V
r rederika. very much i discouraged I,
though to all appearanoe bright and
1 nopeiui, auu reauy
The next day she renewed her searcn
with a like result, and on Friday, she
" ... .. 1 v.
came home not with a a.tuat.on. but
with an armful of work.
Mrs. Derrickson was more than ever
horrified and determined that U t th s
were to Tm the alternative, she herself
world have o find .mh.n Utile
more "genteel for her niece to do, as
long as sue was do duitqu upou iuuc-
pendence.
it was some time before she was able
to fulfil her unspoken intention, as a
succession of colds kept her indoors for
several weeks. In the mean time,
Frederika worked steadily on, determ
ined to finish her work in the allotted
time.
On Saturday afternoon of the follow
ing week, she returned the work and
came home quite triumphant, having
been promoted to the honors of em
broidery, which was more to her taste
than "seam and gusset aud band."
I Mrs. Derrickson made tho face of
horror usual to her whenever the hated
work waa proaucea; out an two i
down together, and passed a
pleasant evening, nevertheless.
very
Harry's administration had been on
the increase, ever since the scene at the
breakfast table, and now it had reached
its hightest pitch. . His private opinion
expressed to his aunt was, th it Fred
erika was a "briok; a tramp," but in
his heart of hearts she was already en
shrined as something more angelic and
ethereal.
He would iot niKAe a dunce of him
self by avowing his admiration on snob
a short acquaintance, but he could not
keep his devotion from shining ont of
bis expressive blue eyes, and be made
a miserable failure in trying to think
of anyone or anything, else when she
was in the room, but ohl if she only
wonld not treat him so exactly like a
cousin or a brother!
CHAPTER IL
Frederika was now fairly established
as one of the inmates of her great
aunt's household. As she had hoped,
a real affection for the old lady was
growing upon her, which wonld prob
ably be the more lasting, founded as it
was on respect and esteem, and not the
mere impulse of a moment.
There were some things pretty hard
to bear in their intercourse with each
other, for Mrs. Derrickson was not
one to give np the battle without a
struggle. It seemed almost essential
to her mind, to give vent to her feel
ings by throwing out constant little re
proaches and hints to Frederika in re
gard to ber headstrong independence.
The latter soon made np ber mind t J
consider these as so many evidences of
affection; and having the approval of
her own conscience, she quietly pur
sued the even tenor of her way.
Several weeks had passed, and Mrs.
Derrickson was oonvinced by her
niece's steady application to business,
that she was not influenced by the
1a8sing whim of an hour, but that a
ong BetUed purpose of independence
was the main spring of ber daily
work.
One morning the old lady oame down
after breakfast arrayed in her hand
some walking attire, and announced
her intention of going over to the City
on business. She declined all offers of
the young people to accompany ber,
being almost offended at the inference
that she needed anyone.
She left Frederika in the sitting
bnsT at her embroidery, whua
Harry as usual, betook himself to his
office, a little room on the first floor
adjoining the parlor.
The young man did not soem in the
best of spirits this morning; the fact
was. he was beginning to fear that
Frederika despised him, and
.fin Iia mmu haoinninfr to desni
noised him. and worse
till, he was beginning to despise him
self. "If I only bad half her determina
tion and pluck," he sighed despondent
ly, "1 would now be eating tho bread
of dependence. Doctor indeed! oh,
father, why did you not make a car
penter of me, or something by whi h I
might have earned a decent livelihood?
Like Dcedalus of old, yon have given
your son wings which he cannot use,
and in attempting to soar, he has been
plunged, not into tha beautiful sea. but
into the very 'slough cf Respond.' "
Poor boy! he hardly knew whether
to be cheered or discouraged, as he
heard the sweet voice of his cousin
singing over her work.
I Had four weeks of hard work and
poor pay failed to break that spirit?
How he hated to see her toiling with that
odious needle, night after bight, and
day after day! and yet, the harder she
I worked, the more he loved and ad
mired her for it, while despising him-
j self in equal proportion.
I If somebody would only get sick, and
send for him instead of for one of the
older doctors who had more patients
than they kuew what to do with. That
is, some one besides those poor folks
whom he had been attending gratuitous
ly for six months past.
Anu wllu BUUU iu"K"i m
golden hours new oy, ana carry ; re
more HUu more ucnjiuumu);, uu uivio
and more in love with his txautiful
cousin.
At noon, Mrs. Derrickson returned
in high spirits, which were fully ac
counted for when, at the dinner table
she said:
"My dear, you are competent to teach
French and music, besides the English
branches, are you not?"
The young girl s eyes danced with
delight and try as she might, she could
dot kep the triumphant joy out of her
voice as sue answered
"I have M
idam Bocher's certificate
to that effect."
"Welt." bcRiin ber aunt again, and
Frederika felt like helping
the words
forward so slowly did they come:
j "Mrs. Robinson wants a governess for
her daughters and I thought perhaps
you would do."
I "You dear, kind aunt!" and no long
er able to restrain herself, the girl
jumped np, and throwing her arms
around the old lady's neck, kissed her
again and again.
I "Yon still understand, I hope," said
Mrs. Derrickron, as soon as she was
released, "that I do not approve of it
in the least, bnt it is certainly more
genteel than that embroidery and a
good deal better pay. Do not think I
... ' wish to encourage you in your head
strong folly, bnt I thought I might as
well mention ttiis chance to you. Ahl
dear old lady, tell it not that yon have
been to half a dozen seminaries this
morning, canv. ssing for y on r niece, and
in very despair called upon an old
friend who happened to mention her
need, not so much in hopes of obtain
ing help, as from an old habit of con
fiding all her troubles to you.
"Oh! Frederika, this is SD'enJid!"
. . . . manner expressed
Lie warm conatulation. "Now
you
with
. won h(iye fo work work worfcj
that detestable old needle. "
( nr reBeotioM on
,. , -t,. ....
nla.nr at his symuathv tnrne.l into
' . .
ner at .bat 9etn,eJ 1,,ke, a coiiteinpt-
uous way of speaking of her late em-
, n ..p Iie?er enjoTedBny
'money before half so much 'as I did
J d j u rather do
leaa streets - or-r-break
fa road-than spend money
, h , earneJ mv8eltLeo thetJ.
d L?r nnwontea elcitement 8ne
( seemed to motion him away aa if in no
need of his sympathy.
Harry jumped up from the table,
and hastened from the room, deeply
wounded by this last thrust. Was it
. intended as a cut for him, or was she
thinkiug merely of herself?
I The two ladies hardly dare look at
' each other, as they heard the front
door slam, and, in imagination they
followed his excited footsteps as he
hurried out the garden gate.
"You have turned a noble heart from
yon, which might have been yours for
life," said Mrs. Derrickson, with ill
suppressed indignation.
'I really whs not thinking of him
when I said that, though if the shoe
pinched, I suppose it could not help
hurting him a little," replied Frederika
rather provoked that her aunt knew,
and showed that she knew, the state of
Harry's feeling's towards herself.
'He has always been very stealy,
and it is not his fault that he has not a
practice; there are so many doctors!"
Though angry still, there was a plead
ing intonation in her voice which
showed that one encouraging word
from her niece wonld be a help to
her.
"Of course, that is not his fault, but
I should think he might rind some
thing better to do than dawdling
around, writing verses, looking at him
self in the g'ass, etc. It is a wonder
he has not met the fate of Jiarci.-nm
before this."
"Of conrse he is not perfect; who is?
Bnt I have no doubt yon could improve
him in fact it would just be the mak
ing of him."
"Thank yon! I prefer some one
who would i improve vie: I need it
enough I am sure, but preserve me
from one that I have to be the making
of.''
"Frederika Smith!" exclaimed the
old lady, rising majestically, '.'had 1
known that you could speak with such
scorn of one who has given yon his
heart's best love, I should not have al
luded to it at alL I am afraid Harry
will never forgive me for divulging the
secret which he has confided only to
me.
"La linnere says 'toutr. revelation
(Tun xrrret et la faate de celui qui l'a
confir," and Fredericka, fearful that
any further discussion might provoke
her to still greater disrespect, withdrew
to her own room, where to her own
surprise, she gave way to an unex
pected flood of tears.
Both l:id les felt relieved when even
ing came bringing with it Harry, look
ing much as usual at least to a super
ficial observer; the keen eye 01 love
might have detected a new element in
the expression of his usually bright
face. An undennable air of determina
tion seemed to add a more earnest
shade to the oountenance which was
usually all sunlight.
No allusion was made to the occur
rence of the morning aui Frederika
could feel that her aunt manner was
intended to express displeasure towards
ber. and a more than usual amount of
tenderness for her nephew. The young
girl thought it better to make no apolo
gies on the snbjeot, aa she saw that
Harry had come to his better sense
and that if be still supposed that her
hasty words had been an intentional
thrust at him be must have forgiven
her, for thorigh his manner was lo?s
consinly ancfcamiliar than usual, there
was no show of offence, but rather of
added respect.
The next niornin? found Frederika
wen' ing her way across Market Street
Bridge, the only one convenient in
those days, and bearing in her hand a
note of introduction from her aunt to
Mrs. Kobiu-M n.
The preliminaries were soon settled
wih that lady, an. I, the young girl was
installed in her new position as visiting
governess t j a large family of children,
varing from seventeen to seven.
It was quite a relief aft r her close
and sedentary occupations of the last
month or so, and though there was
still some drndgery in her daily toil, it
proved to be a natural gift with ber to
impart instruction, and keep ber pu
pils interested aud busy.
Frederika had marked ont a rigid
plan of economy for herself, having
determined to save enough money out
of her salary to pay her board at the
end of every quarter. With this end
in view, she walked both in the oily
and out again, in fair weather, declar
ing that the exercise wonld be the best
thing possible for her health.
It really did bring a new glow into
her cheek, and as it was not an unrea
sonable distance, her aunt could not
object, though she insisted upon Fred
die's taking a thick veil to throw over
her face when she passed a place near
the bridge where some day laborers
were engaged in repairing the street.
It would have been a great bore for
the young girl to have been obliged to
shut out the fresh air with that piece
of idmost impenetrable barege (.which
Harry always insisted npou designating
as "baize") but she felt that as she had
resisted her aunt in serious matters,
she ought to yield to her in such a trifle
as this. Accordingly, she took it with
her every morning, and put it con
scientiously on, as soon as she came
within sight of the workmen, walking
rapidly past the long file, in order the
sooner to do auie to aon tne ouious
m isk.
Her time was fully occupied now,
and Tery thankful she was for it, for
she had small leisure for sentimental
dreaming. Herdntiesas governess were
from nine until two, with a short inter
m'ssion for a slight luncheon served in
the school-room. Her walk home gave
her a good appetite for the dinner
which NaLcy always saved for her,
after partaking of which she would go
up to her raom to study, or into the
parlor to practice, being anxious to
keep far ahead of ber young lady
pnpils.
The evenings were almost the only
time she had to spend with the others,
and thesa were beginning to have a
zest which had once been lacking.
Very often one of the others read
aloud, and whereas, "stitch, stitch,"
had become irksome to her at the
time it was her principal occupation,
now a little sewing was a pleasant
change for ber after her teaching j
duties.
A change, almost imperceptible
seemed to be passing over Harry:
there was more of man about him; more
strength, less playfulness; more earn
estness, less sentiment, at the same
the time, much as he seemed to respect
Frederika, and uphold her indepen
dent ways, there was less of that de
voted attention to herself which had
once been so marked. Was the de
votion which had rather amused ber at
the time, passing from her just as it
might be worth the having?
One evening, as they were sitting to
gether at the centre table, Mrs. Der
rickson and her meoe sewing, and
Harry reading aloud, the latter sud
denly stopped as though recollecting
something, and putting his hand
first in one pocket then in another.
aud another, drew forth a small
book, which he handed over to Fred
erika. "My pocket diary!" she exclaimed.
astonished, "How did you get hold of
it."
"You must have dropped it near the
bridge, for one of the workmen found
it."
"And gave it to you? Which one
was it? Please describe him to me, so
that I can thank him for it, and give
him a 'suitable reward.' "
"He has already received his re
ward," answered Harry, half grave,
half laughing.
"Oh! how kind of yon; how much
did you five him?" Taking out her
purse.
That is 'tellin as the boys say.
'Then 1 shall find him to-morrow,and
pay him over again, so, to save trouble
please to tell me which one to go to.
"Seriously, Cousin, I should advise
yon not, and Harry was all earnest
now.
Bnt Frederika persisted, and not
withstanding the continued eutreaties
of Harry, she started off the next
morning, deternrned to find the hon
est man and reward him. To Fred
erika's surpriso, her aunt did not op
pose her bnt said it would be what she
herself would wish to do under the cir
cumstance. She was on her way home from school
when the passed the little group of
workmen, and going np to the first
one spoke to him, without removing
the thick veil which her aunt had
made her promise she would keep
on.
"Can yon tell me who ionnd this
book yesterday?"
It was before the importation of
"dagos," and a polite enough Irishman
answered her:
"Yes ma'am; I saw that fellow at the
end pick it up just after ye dropped it.
lie put it in his pocket so quiet like
that I thought ve'd niver see your
book again; hadn't much money in, I
guess?"
"No monev at all but a great deal
besides, that I would not care about
losing;" and Frederika hastened on to
the workman indicated.
He seemed determined neither to
hear ber nor see ber, and when at
length in sheer desperation, she pulled
his coat and almost screamed in bis
ear, he turned slowly towards her.
and and
"Harry I" was all she said, while
every Ay f f color deserted her cheeks,
and it aeemed as if she had no strength
left to stir from the spot; bnt one more
look from those bine eyes, and she felt
like flying to the ends of the earth.
And she did fly jnst as fast as her
feet would carry her, and when she
reached her aunt's house, flew np to
her own room, without a greeting to
anyone.
She laughed, shj cried; oh! it was
such a mixture of the pathetic and the
ludiorona, to remember him in that
dress and yet and yet yes the
dear noble soul I no I she wonld not
love him she had not loved him ever
sinoe no I not not it must, must not
b,
She must do something to drive
away the thoughts that would come
flitting into her mind; of the possibility
that was vanishing from her, just as she
was bcgiuLitig to appreciate its value;
of the sting which her hasty words bad
given, and whose result had only been
discovered to her on this strangest ol
diiys.
The meanest drudgery tseemed most
fitting at tiiat inonunr, and she was
only to glad to remember that it was
Nancy's "afternoon out," aud that it
would devolve upon her to prepare
tea. Amidst saucepans and kettles,
therefore, her excitement gradually
ebbed away, and by the time every
thug was ready, sbe wns pretty well
.,i.u...(..i 1. .. r., l. .. .
dinner. As evening approached, site
listened anxiously for a well-known
footstep in the hall, but no sooner did
sne near it, man sue was aown on her
knees raking the fire, a; if her life de
pended on it.
S!ie would not turn nor look np
when he came and stood by her side;
not for worlds would she have had him
see the tears which were welling up
into her eyes, spite of all she could do.
And then she had a nervous dread of
seeing him in those ludicrous clothes.
However, it was impossible for her
to remain in this position for an;
length of time, aud he seemed deter
mined to stay wh re she was until she
had at least given him a look.
She turned at length and their eyee
met. He was in his usual attire, and
his whole expression was the reverse ot
ludicrous.
"Frederika," he said, and it was
enough. All her resolutions fled with
that one word; why should she redisi
any longer?
Togetuer they made their Aunt Dcr
rick son's toast, without which sho
oould not enjoy her supper, and though
between them they allowed the milk to
boil over, it did not spoil the flavor
of all they were saying to each other in
between. How he had loved her with
his whold heart s noe first he laid eyes
on her, and bow she had repented of
thore hasty wor ls of hers the moment
they were utlered; and how those
words bad been the making of him,
aud how she had perceived a subtle
difference in him ever since, which she
had not been able to acconnt for, and
how
But here was Aunt Derrickson cominp
to see when tea would be ready just
as no, she pretended not to see, and
so may we.
"And how long do you propose ope
rating as a stone-breaker?" asked the
old lady, when she bad listened with
delight to the rather incoherent tale
which the two managed to pour intc
her ear.
"Dear old Dr. has fouud
out what I have been doing, and hut
made me a very good offer which will
enable me to go on with the profes
sion 1 love so that I gtadnaied in the
stone-breaking line this afternoon, I
hope."
"When you broke the hardest stoue
ever workman met with, and the easi
est to mend when you know how to go
about it," whispered Frederika.
HOW TO HELP THE DOCTOR.
A well known doctor once complain
ed to the writer that he had the great
est trouble when treating sick children
in petting any lucid and helpful resume
of their symptoms from day to day
from the mother. "Here is a case in
point," said he. "A few days a;o a
young mother came to me about ber
little boy, who bad whnt she called a
'pathetic little cough.' Now pathos in
a ooub is a symptom of which pathol
ogy takes to note. So I asked more
definite particulars. 'What kind of a
cough is it?' I asked again.
" 'Oh, such a pathetic couh' she
answered. 'Rut is it a loose cough, or
a wheezing cough, or a tight cough, or
a bark couhV 1 persisted.
' 'I'm sure 1 don t know, she aid,
sadly puzzled, 'but it is a sa 1 little
cough.' And that is a fair sample ol
the way a great many physicians find
themselves puzzled about babies. The
mothers or nurses seem to have so little
skill in interpreting their symptoms."
Women and mothers, this thing
ought not to be. A young mother
with a fir.-t bnby may find herself a
little puzzled for the first few weeks
to recognize the moBt striking symp
toms in a baby's illness, but she ought
soon to be able to make a very intelligent
diagnosis of ordinary ills. She ought
to be able to tell whether the baby is
in acute pain or not, and in most coses
where the pain is located; whether his
cry is a tired cry or a hungry one or a
sick one. She ought to be able to take
his temperature and his pulso beats as
accurately as a physician, to discrimin
ate his coughs and his way of breath
ing. The oin.litiou of his bowels
should be significant to her also, and
even of his skin. These are all mat
ters that come with a little attention
in watching and a little knowledge
in interpretation and brains.
A PLEASING EXPERIMENT.
The out here given represents a
pretty experiment in connection with
the convexity of a meniscus.
EXTEltrMEXT
OS THE CONVEXITY OF A
MESISCCS.
Take a glass and fill it up to the
brim, being careful that the meniscus
be concave; near it place a pile ol
nickels. Then ask some amateur how
many nickels can be put into the glasa
without tne water overflowing. Every
one who is not familiar with the ex.
periment will answer that it will only
be possible to put one or two, whereas
it is possible to pnt in a considerable
number, even ten or twelve. As the
pennies are carefully and slowjy
dropped in, the surface of the liquid
will be seen to become more and more
convex, and one is surprised to what
an extent this convexity increases be
fore the water overflows.
It is not impossible thai Russia will
be the first country to establish a really
long line electrio railway. It at pres.
ent possesses the longest in the world,
bnt the Government now talk of cou.
strncting a line from St. Petersburg to
Archangel, a distance of 500 milea.
WHAT A HE DIATOMS?
BY B. 8.
DiaSoms have created a great deal of
discussion among learned men, who at
one time declared them to be of animal
origin, and then turned round and
declared that they must be plants.
Rut what nre diatoms? They are
microscopic objects, of exceeding hard
ness, found lu large quantity iu many
places, and exhibiting a great variety
in form; s that thousands of forms
are seen under the magnifying glass,
of exquisito beauty and variety. They
have been dredged from the depths o'f
the sen, Bnd they are found to forma
large part of bars and banks which
come from the deposits of rivers in
many parts of the world.
They are also fotini in great banks
or strata on tho shore, especially in
Germany nnd in Holland, and, in our
own country, at Richmond, in Virgin
ia, where the bank is remarkable for
the variety and beauty of the species
contained in it, and extends for miles,
being iu some places forty feet in
iepth.
The original diatom is a single celi,
bnt it propagates, by self division, at
such a rate that a thousand millions of
diatoms may be formed from one dia
tom iu a single month. The skeleton
of the growth is of flmr, and indestruc
tible, whilo the vital substance within
dies quickly.
For centur-es these delicate, minute
shells having been accumulatory.
Rut what good are diatoms?
They are now put to mauy nses. In
the first place they are extensively
used in the manufacture of dynamite
for blasting, and for other purposes
not so f raiseworthy.
Dynamite is nitro glycerine, render
ed safer for handling by being mixed
with this porous material. The flinty
earth takes np as much as three times
its weight of nitro-glycenue, without
becoming more han lamp to the
touch.
Then the diatomite is used for mak
iug the beautiful color called ultrama
rine. This brilliant blue was formerly
very expensive, being made from a
stone. Chlled lapis-lazuli, which was rare
and valuable. Now, however, tons ol
iltramarine are made from diatome.
For a long time this diatomaceous
earth has been sold aj a polishing
powder for metals and glass, and it is
used as s glaze for pottery, as a base
for colors, and for the manufacture of
silicate paint, which is almost fire
proof. It is also used for filtering purposes,
for imitation stone-work, in the manu
facture of some kinds of soap and for
working up with India-rubber and
em rv. For disinfectant purposes, it
is used to hold carbolic acid, und alsj
ss h substitute for animal charcoal.
Being an excellent non-conductor, it
is used as part of the compound for
coating steam pipe9 and boilers, tor
fire-proofing chimneys and retorts and
other such purposes.
There are many other uses which
might be specific I, but we think we
have given enough to make u wonder
at the great store of material laid np
by such infinitely small things, for
man's intelligent to use for his com
fort and progress.
ECONOMICAL MAJOR HANDY.
UE HAS RUS HIS PKPARTMEST WAT
SIDE OF TliE Ari'ROPMATIO.V.
The Executive Committee of the
World's Columbian Exposition has ap
proved by unanimous vote the report
of tho Tress and Printing Committee,
as to whether or not the expenses of
the Dejartment of Publicity and Pro
motion under .Moses P. Handy, chief,
can Vie reduced without detriment to
the Exposition, in view of tho foot that
other agenci. s have also been em
ployed for the same purpose. The
c immittee fiuds that there has been an
actual expenditure of about t!4 per cent,
less than tho original estimate of the
cost of the department, and about 40
per cent. less than that estimate as re
duced by the Piuanoe Commilte. The
conclusions of the committee, after a
full review of the work of the depart
ment, are that it "has been administer
ed with an intelligent comprehension
of the requirements of the Expo.-ition,
on strictly business principles, and
with due regard alike to economy and
the highest efficiency. We believe that
the expenses of the department cannot
be materially reduced at the present
time without detriment to the Exposi
tion." The committee also says: "In
view of these facts we cannot but
express surprise at the perfection and
thoroughness of the machinery thus
organized."
PERSONAL.
Miss Mauy Golpin(i Lanmw, who
has lately been appointed to a responsi
ble position on the staff of the Boston
Evening Transcript, is a member ol
the Trumbull family of Connecticut.
Miss Lanmau is one of the youngest ol
successful women in journalism.
M. Edofard Garnif.r, the author ol
the South Kensington Handbook on
French 1'ottery, has been appointed
conservator of the ceramio museum
aitachod to the manufactory at Sevres.
It lias recently been aunonuced that
there are only three survivors of Dr.
Kane's expedition to the Artlo Sea
made foity years ago tc rescue Sir John
Franklin's ill fated company. Each ol
the three men had for some time past
believtd himself to be tha sole sur
vivor. Dil Mary F. Jacoiu, of New Y'ork,
and the fashionable Dr. Mary Woolsey
Uoxon, of Washington, are each said
to earn over $1J,(HX) a year in the prac
tice of their profession.
Mrs. Assie Louise Cart Raymond's
latest gift to the Maine General llos
pital is the complete fitting np of two
rooms for the use of patients. She has
always been much interested in this
. . . i l 1 : i i r .. i ,. :
lnsmmiou, uaa OTwumucu npo ueus iu
it, and has given to it largely of money.
Pofessor Stas, the eminent Belgian
chemist, has died at the age of seventy
eight. He bad obtained a gold medal
from the Royal Sooiety of London for
researches on atomio weights.
Only one woman delegate was sect
to the International Labor Congress at
Brussels, and she was from Poland.
One of the chief translators was Mrs.
Marx-Aveling of London.
At a reception recently given in Bal
timore by Mrs. Robert Garrett, a novel
feature of the decoration or entertain
ment was the sight of nncaged birds
fljing about the rooms open t the
guests, among the palms and flowers.
In 1S67 the Empress of Brazil gave
Queen Victoria a dress woven entirely
of spider webs. It is so fine and beau
tiful that it surpasses the most splendid
ailk. The Queen has it among her
priceless possessions.
NEWS IN BRIL'f.
Chicago, tit., Lave
pollct
band.
The average amount of steel ralll
uiad iu this country last year was ovel
U0.C00 tons tier ino-th.
A whale, thirty-three feet In length,
was towed Into tMe port of Santa Bar
bara, C.d., recently.
The net prolita of the Harvard Col.
.eg3 football tc.im lust ye;.r were some
thin? over ten thous.md di.il.ua.
Civil engineers report that Laki
Niciragua, Central Auier.cn, is full ol
shark', and it is & luyoieiy how they
have gct'.eti there.
Kirmiushvn, A!a., has pressed
.es tuition taxing and liccusiug almost
every trade, ocupa-ion and profession
in that city for municipal revenue.
A man's life was saved in LIn
Join, Peun., by a harmonica which
kept, a bullet from goiug farther than
the vest pocket.
An Arkansas pig has a sceut equal
to a dog's. His wonderful Instinct
saved his owner's child from drown
ing recently.
A Waynesboro (Ga. i man blessed
with a cork leg we.it duok bunting.
He full oreiboaid an l his artifical leg
saved him from drownlug.
Ex-City Treasurer Bardaley ol
Philadelphia, Penn., has found, bit
hearing since going to the Eastera
Peui'entiHry, He had been nrarlj
deaf for years.
Squire Johnson, a Justice of the
Peace at Graysoa, Ky. , has eu rolled
himself as a scholar In a couutry school
near bis home. He is forty yeaxi
old.
Leprosy Is Increasing to aa alarm,
ing extent iu Spain. In one village
there are said to be eiuht families, everj
member of which has the dread dis
ease. A botfl-keeper on the upper shors
of Lake Michigan proposes to transport
his big hotel over the lake on a raft ta
ChicHgo lu true, to open in the sprinj
t f 1-13.
A descendant of General Jamet
Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, li
suing for a large portion of Savannah
re d estate, to wb.ci he believes him
self entitled.
Chinese anna's as remote as 2004
B. C. speak of the cultivation of tea,
and classify it almost as perfectly as it
done to-day. Its virtuei were dis
covers by accident.
Thf death or a Brooklyn (X. T.J
druggist calls attention to the fact thai
he was the projuietor of tha "Alwayi
Open Drug Store." During his twent)
years' proprietorship of the store no
lock has ever been cn the door.
Though deer are not abundant In
the markets, deerskins may be bought
at lroni $1.75 to $2.50 each. An un
usually handsome sklu may cost fa.
Taxidermists charge from $3 to $3 for
curing them and furriers charge as
limh as 525 for the cured hides.
B rds have horns sometimes. The
norued screamer (wh ch is related to
the duck) has a single horn attached to
Its skull, springing from a carrllaglnom
base and curving upward.
Pheasants first came In to England
luring the Kom.tu period; they did not
make their appearance in Scotland
mucli before the seveuteenth century,
or in Ireland before the Qtteenth.
Wood cut down in winter Is con
iidered more durable than felled la
summer. Iu many countries the forest
laws enjoin the felling of trees only be
tween November lotii and Feburarj
loth.
Amo'.'g the weavers employed In a
Blddetord (Me. ) cottou-iuiU is a woman
who stands six feet aud three Inches,
and Is lare arM strong in proportion.
She is more than a match for any man
about the mil'.
The Persians are of opin.on that a
don will never hurt a person of tbeii
relliriou wh cli i.s somewhat different
from tha'. of the Turks. They firmly
bi!eve thut the lions would devour
Tuik, but that they themsalves art
perfectly safe if they take care to let tbl
Hon know by some exclamation of what
religion they are.
The name While House, given U
the residence of the chief exeoutlve of
United States in Washington, is de
rived from the fact of the Virginli
freestone cf which it Is built, being
painted white to conceal the discolor.
lien caused by weather and smoke.
An English lady who d'eJ not long
since left money to pay for sprinkling
Tower Hill, Lcudou, dally with ashes
and gravel, so as to metigate its slippery
condition for the benefit cf horse
heavily loaded.
The Empress of Japan has a strong
liking for Europeauand American wayi
and customs, and h said to alopt then
whenever it is possible for her to do to
without violating any of the canons ol
ber religion.
Piincess Victoria Mary, of Teck,
the promised bride of Prince "Collari
and Culls,-' is a good musician and vo
calist. She is the best looking young
woman iu the British royal f.imlly, and
Is twenty-two years oM,
Speaker Crisp's wife Is a thorough
ly domestic woman, prelerrlng the at
tractions of her home to the gayetiei
of socit ty. Y"ei she has; made herhous
noted throughout Georgia for the ho
pitahty that is dispensed there.
Takeouo ounce of white wax and
melt to a gentle boat. Add twoouncai
of honey, two d rims of rosewater and
a d rop or two of att ir of roses. Apply
this twice a day, rubbing the wrinkles
the w ron 4 way. L'se tepid water U
wash tl ' face. The wrinkles aaon dla
appear.
Anot' er woman has decided lo rlsll
the hardships of a jouiuey In Africa,
On one of the last vessels which ar.
rived at Zansibar a few weeks ago wa
BarouefsAnna vou Vletiughoff-Scheel,
the daughter of a well known German
Dobleumn. The Baroness Intends ta
join an expedition to the interior of tha
couutry.
The Woman's Baking Company of
Chicago baa just beeti incorporaUxJ
with a capital stock of 5250,000. It ll
composed of Woman's Christian Tem
perance Union women of Chicago anl
Is pledged to use only the purest mater,
ialf, to have the work done entirely bj
Wcnien and to run the establishment
strictly on business principles.
Ove hundred and fifty clubs are new
represented in tne Federation of Wot
men's Clubs. Soros is is, of course, thl
oldest of these, but the largest olnbi
are iu Chicago and San Francisco,
Two or three number asjnany Jas Uti
hundred members. d
(I
"''A
)
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