The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-01

wet to the skin-don't you think you can
accommodate mel don't mind sleeping on
the floor
Raining is it? didn't know that, and
the kind.hearted little woman unbarred the
door very quickly. Come N who ever you
bel only asked you to 60 on because am
a lone woman, with only one servant in the
house.
The stranger entered-shaking himself
like a Newfoundland dog upon the step, and
scattered little shower OF drops over his
hostess and her nicely swept floor.
'0h-that looks comfortable after man
has been out for hours in Storm he said,
as he caught the sight of the iire and strid-
ing along towards the hearth, followed by
Bowse, who shifted suspiciously ut his heels.
he stationed himself in the arm-chair-Mr.
Cows armchair, which had been kept sa-
cred to his memory for seven years! The
widow was Mortified, but her guest looked
~ weary and worn, that she could not ask
him to move, but busted herself in stirring
up the blaze that he might the sooner dry
his dripping clothes. A new thought struck
her; Mr.. Cobb had worn comfortable
dressing-gown during his illness, which still
hung in the closet at the right. She could
not let this poor man catch his death, by sit
ting in his wet coat-if he was in Mr. Cobb's
chair why not in Mr.. Cobb's wrapper? She
went nimbly to the closet. took it down,
fshed out a pair Of slippers from boot-rack
below, and brought them to him.
Il think you had better take of your coat
and boots; you will have the rheumatic fc-
yer or something like it, if you don't. Here
are some things to wear while they arc dry
ing. And you must be hungry too l will
so into the pantry and get you something to
eat"
She hustled away "on hospitablc thoughts
INTENT" and the stranger made the exchange
with q quizical smile playing around his
lips. He was tall well-iormed man, with
bold but handsome face, sunburned and
heavily bearded, and looked anything but
"delicate," though his blue eyes glanced out
from under forehead as white as snow. lie
looked around the kitchen with mischev-
ousair, and stretched out his feet before him,
decorated with the defunct Deacon's slip
pers.
'Upon my word this is stepping into the
old mans shoes with vengeance. And
what hearty. good humored looking wo-
man she is Kind as a kitten and he lean
ed forward and stroked tho cat and her
brood, and then pattcd old Bowse upon tho
head. The widow bringing in sundry good
things, looked pleased at his attention to her
dumb friends.
Its wonder Bowse does not growl; he
generally does il strangers touch him. Dear
me. how stupid
The last remark was neither addressed to
the stranger nor to the dog, but to herself.
She had forgotten that the little stand was
not empty-and there was no room on it for
the things she held.
'Oh, I'll manage 1t, said the guest, gath
ering up paper, candle, apples and specta-
cles-Qt was not without a little pang that
she saw them in his hand, Tor they had been
the Deacon's and were placed each night,
like the armchair, beside her)-and depos-
iting them on the settee.
"Give me the table cloth ma'am l can
spread it as well as any woman. I've learn
cd that along with scores of other things in
my wanderings. Now let me relieve you OF
those dishes they are far too heavy for those
little hands; 1.-THE widow blushed :; and now
please sit down with me, or | cannot cat
morsel."
Il had supper long ago, but really l think
can take something more, said Mrs Cobb
drawing her chair nearer to the table.
'Of course you can my dear lady-in cold
autumn weather people ought to eat.twice
rs much as they do in warm. Let me give
you piece o. this ham-your own curing,
dare say
YES my.poor husband was very fond OF
it. He used to say that no ono understood
curing ham and drying beei better than l.
lie was a sensible man. | am sure
drink your health, madam, in this cider.
lie took long drauSht' anu set down his
glass.
1T is like nectar
The widow was feeding Bowse and the cat
(who thought they were entitled 10 snare
OF every meal In the housc,) ana aiu no,
quite hear what he siid. iancy she wouiu
hardly have known what nectar was-so IL
was quite us well.
Zine dog, maam-and pretty cat.
They were my husbands iaVorites, ana
sigh followed the answer.
'Ah-your husband must have been very
happy man.
The blue eyes looked AZ her 30 long tha'
she grew Hurried: n,
'ls there anything more can get you sir!
she asked at last. ,,,,
Nothing, thank you, have hnished' :,
She rose to clear the things away; lie
assisted her, and somehow their hands had
queer knack Of touching as they carried the
dishes to the pantry shelves. Coming back
to the kitchen, she put the apples and cider
in their old places, and brought out clean
pipe and tobacco from an arched recess in
the chimney.
MY husband could not sleep alter eating
supper late, unless he smoked she said
Perhaps you would like to try it,
NO. ii il is to drive you away he ans
wcrcd, for she had her candle in her hand.
.Oh, mol do not object to smoke Mt all
cl. -, a.. ILL Jo,,,- s,,,o c,;,t s,,