The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-01
Mlistellaneous.
WIDOW CoBB's FIRST LOVE.
ny NARY W. STANLEY GIBSON.

The Gre cracked checriully on the broad
hearth Of the old farmhouse kitchen, q cat
and three kittens basked in the warmth, and
a decrepid yellow dog lying full. in the reaec-
ton Of the blaze, wrinkled his black nose ap-
proyingly, as he turned his hind feet where
his fore feet had been. Over the chimney
hung several fine hams and pieces Of dried
beef. Apples were fastened along the cell
ing, and crooked necked squashes WED with
red peppers and slips of dried pumpkins, in
garnishing each window frame. There were
plants, too, on the window ledga-horse-
shoe geraniums, and dew plants, and
monthly rose Just budding, 10 say nothing of
pots Of yiolets that perfumed the whole place
whenever they took it into their purple
heads to bloom. The floor was carefully
swept-the chairs had not q speck Of dirt
upon Lee or round-the long settee near the
fireplace shone as if it had been just newly
varnishcd, and the eight day clock in the
corner had had its white face newly washed.
and seemed determined to tick louder for il.
Two arm chairs were drawn up at cosy
distance from the hearth and each other, a
candle, a newspaper, apair OF spectanles,
dish Of rol checked apples and pitcher OF
cider, filed little table between them. In
one Of these chairs sat comfortable looking
woman about forty-tive, with checks as red
as the apples, and eyes Us dark and bright us
they had ever been, resting her elbow upon
the table and her head upon her hand, and
looked thoughtfully into the fire. This was
the Widow Cobb-"relic" Of Deacon Levi
Cobb, who had been mouldering into dust
in the Bytown Churchyard for more than
seven years. She was thinking Of her dead
husband, possibly because-all her work be-
ing done and the servants gone to bcd-the
sight of his empty chair at the other side of
the table, and the silence Of the room, made
her little lonely
"S,yen years." 50 the widows revcrie ran.
"lt seems as if il was more than fifty-and
vet don't look 50 very old either. Perhaps
It's not having any children to bother my life
out rs other people have. They may say
what they likc-children are more plague
than profit-that's my opinion. Look at
nv sister Jerusha, with her six boys. She
is worn to u shadow, and I'm sure they have
done it, though she never will own it."
The widow took an apple from the dish
and began to peel it.
"lIOw dreadful fond Mr.. Cobb used to be
Of these CRAFTS. lie never will eat any more
of them, poor fellow, for don't suppose
they have apples where he has gone to-
Hcigho, remember very well how used
to throw apple parings over my head when
| was girl, to SEQ who was going to mar
y."
Mrs. Cobb stopped short and blushcd.-
For in those days she did not know Mr..
Cobb, and was always looking eagerly to
see il the peel hail formed capital "S."-
/ Her meditatiOns took new turn.
"ilow handsome Sum Payson was and
how much used to care about him. wOn-
der what has become of him! Jerusha says
he went away from our village Just after |
since. Aud what silly thing that quarrel
was! IL il hadn't been for that"
Here came long pause, during which the
widow looked very stcadlastly ut the empty
armchair Of Levi Cobb, deceased. Her in-
gers played carelessly with the apple pairing;
she drew il softly towards her, and looked
around the room.
upon my word, It's very ridiculous, and
don't know what the neiShbOrs would say
il they saw me-"
Stiil tho plump fingers drew the red peel
nearer.
But then, they can't see me, that's CON-
fort, and the cat and Old Bowse never will
know what il means. OF course don't be-
lieye anything about it,"
The pairing hung gracefully from her hand.
"But then. should like to try it il
would seem like old times, and"
Over her head II went. and curled up quiz
etly on the Aoor at little distance. Old
Bowse, who always slept with one eye open,
saw IL fall, and marched deliberately up 70
\ smell il.
"Bowse-Bowse-don touch IT." cried
his mistress, bending over ii with beating
) heart, she turned as rcd rs FIRE. There wa'
as handsome capital as" Us any one could
great knock came suddenly at the door.
Bowse growled and Me widow screamed. and
: snatched up the apple-pariny.
"Its Mr.. Cobb-it Is his sp;r;t emma h,.l
again, because tried that sslly trick ; sbs
thought fcarfully to herself.
Another knock-loudcr than the first and
a mans voice exclaimed:
.llillo. the house,
'who is itt' asked the widow somewha,
relieved TO find that the departed Levi wa,
still safe in his grave upon tho hillside.
a stranger, said the voice.
What do you wanty'
TO get lodging for the night
The widow delibcrated.
Cant you 70 on-theres house half ,
mile further, II you keep to the right hant
side OF the ruad-and turn % the left ate
you get by-,'
4 It's raining cats and dogs and I'm very
delicate said the stranger coughing. sIn