Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-01-13
THE STORY TELLER.
Mrs. Kirkham's Boarder.
CHAPTER /.
BY FAN FEATHERBIE.


No impertinence, Edward Again | COM
lnand you to take this note to yonr teacher :
and with flashing eve and knitted brow looked
hard in her sons face.
Edward Kirkham did not reply, and for
few moments both silent. The little
porch upon which mother and son stood was
shaded and entwined with the creeping wild
rose and scarlet trumpet-fower-thebe bees hum
med merrily about the fragrant blossoms, and
from the spreading branches of the tall trees
near, the morning song of joyous birds foated
forth. Mingled with these sweet sounds came
the silvery gurgle of Blue Stream which
passed through the village, flowed down the
fair meadows, and widened as it entered the
deep wood. At these melodies of the strange
silence, Edward Kirkham's heart seemed
touched The fierce sc5wl fed from his face,
and turning away from his mothers steady
gaze with suffused eyes he murmured;
Please don't ask me to take that note,
mother, cannot do it,
Il don't ask you'll command you TO do it.
Ned, will you obey met Mrs. Kirkham
spoke harshly, sternly, as one who expected
rebellion, and she seemed not surprised when
the answer came
In all things reasonable Twill obey you
in this matter, never Young Kirkham fold
ed his arms as he spoke, and turned full upon
his mother gaze of defiance.
And do you look that way upon your wild
owed mother! you, whom | have carried in
my arms, my frst-born, my only boy" The
widows lips quvered, but she did not weep.
Again Edward Krkham seemed moved ;
again he spoke in the language of entreaty
Mother love you, he pleaded, i will do
anything fo- you, but | cannot 60 back TO
school with that note'
Your boyish whims shall not interfere with
your obedience TO me. Ned, take the note,
and forgive you-disobey me, and you cross
not my threshold again. Mrs. Kirkham set
her teeth firmly together as she spoke these
bitter words; her fierce temper was fully up,
and tie same spirit lived 10 her son.
VERY well, I'll drown myself in blue
Stream ere carry that criuging note TO yon
school house. Mother, you have no respect
for your son, but he has some for himself !
and turning away, Edward Kirkham was about
to descend the steps when his mother laid her
hand upon his arm.
Boy you hare a frightful temper she
muttered, but your threats shall not frighten
me from my duty. My command still rests
upon you
Does it!' carelessly returned the boy,
springing down into the road.
Take your books called Mrs. Kirkham
from the porch, fiingirg the schOol-satchel at-
ter her sou 'and don't come home until you
have obeyed me; then going iu, she closed the
house door with a violent bang.
For moment Edward Kirkham stood ir-
resoute, and then sudden thought flashing
through his mind, he picked up his satchel,
and his slender, bOyish figure soon disappeared
amongst the trees Two little girls sat upon
the top rail of an old moss-grown fence, near
the entrance of the woods. They were evil
IDENTIFY expecting some one had fingered there
long while, that bright June morning, and
their school-books were idly scattered about
When Edward approached, they raised shout
ofjOy.
Il told you, Mabel, he would come, said the
younger of the girls, springing TO his side /;
then looking up in his face she artlessly in
quired, what ails you, Ned! What does
make you look so sad =
Not much, Allie dear-never mind just
now, but here, take care of my satchel while l
tell Mabel something, down by the spring yon-
der.'
And not to me I! asked Allie, looking re-
proachfully at her brother.
1t is nothing that you would care about
heariug-nothing funny that l am going TO tell
Mabel, and we won't be gone long and with
this promise and bunch of wild flowers, the
little girl was satisfied.
Il will tell you, Mabel, said Edward Kirk
ham, as he walked away with his counsin, 'as
you are two years older than Allie, and not so
childish besides, know that you will always
love me-
To be sure will, dear Ned returned Ma
bel Lynn, pressing close TO her cousins side.
believe you, Mabel, darling, you know |
am nearly sixteen (and the boy proudly raised
his head j well, this very morning, mother
ordered me to take mean, cringing note Of
apology to Master Jones an apology for an
offence was never guilty of;-it would have
been disgrace to me 10 have offered it. /
told mother this, but she believed me in the
wrong, and urged, until at last she looked and
talked more like fend than woman
Ned. Ned
Hear me, Mabel she ordered me from her
house, and | shall not darken her doors again.
stopped to tell you shis, and bid little Allie
and YOURSELF goodbye
Where are you going, Ned! Are you neu-
er coming back again!' gasped Mabel, eagerly
clutching her Cousins arm.
Don't ask me where am going. Don't
ask me when | am coming back; can't Tell
you Mabel darling, but promise ALWAYS TO love
and remember me =
Always! alwaysr returned the affriob,ed
little girl, and then sobs choked her voice. and
bnrying her face in her sun-bonnet, she cried
passionately. When at last she checked he,
grief her cousin reminded her of Allie h,