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

heads, rowing hero and there. and turning up
in all sorts Of odd places, caring very little
for life as general thing, away again-and
all for ono reason. You don't ask me what
that is. No doubt you know already very
WE'LL
Il think not, SIR
because woman has Tilted them
Here was long pause, and Mr.. Cobbs
pipe emitted long puffs with surprising rap
idity. A guilty conscience needsno accuser'
and the widows cheek was dyed with blush
es as she thought Of the absent Sam.
Il wonder how women manage when they
get served in the same wayT said the stran'
ger musingly. You don't meet them wan
dering up and down after that style
'No,' said Mrs. Cobb with come spirit
.Ifa woman is in trouble she must stay at
home and bear II the best she can. And
there's more women bearing such things than
we know of, l dare,say.'
Like enough. We never know whose
hand gets pinchcd in the trap unless they
scream. And women are too shy or too
sensible, which you choose. for that
did you ever, in all your wanderings
meet any one by the name of Samuel Pay
son p asked the widow nconrernedly. The
str. nger looked towards her-she was rum
macing the drawer for her knitting work
and did not notice him. When 1t was found
and her needles in motion, he answered her.
.Payson? Sam Payson? Why no was
my intimate friend DO you know him?
"A little-that is, used to, when was a
girl. Where did you meet him2
'lIe went with me on the whaling voyage
| told you OF, and afterwards to California.
We had tent together, and some fellows
with us dug in the same claim for more than
six months
Il suppose he is quite wcll?'
Strong as an OK my dear lady,
'And-and happyT said the widow, bend.
ing closer over her knitting.
.Hum-thc less said about that the better,
perhaps. But he seemed to enjoy lifeafter a
fashion of his own. And he got rich out
there, or rather will say we'll OFF,
Mrs. Cobb did not pay much attention to
that part Of the story. Evidently she was
not done asking questions. But she was
puzzled about her next one. At last she
brought 1t out beautifully.
WAS his wife with him in California? p
The stranger looked at her with twinkling
eyes.
Ills wife, a'am? Why, bless you, he
has not got One.'
.Oh thought mean, Iheard'-licre the
little widow remembered the fate Of Ananias
and Sapphira, and stopped short before she
told such tremendous fb.
sWhatcver you heard of his marrying was
all nonsense, can assure you. know him
well, and he had no thought of the kind
about him. Some of the boys used to tease
him about it, but he soon made them stop
'IIow?'
lie told them frakly that the only woman
he had ever loved had Tilted him years before
and married another man. After that no
one ever mentioned the subject to him again
except me-
Mrs. Cobb laid her knitting aside and
looked thougtyfully into the fire.
'IIe was another specimen Of that class of
men was speaking of. have seen him
face death score of times rs quietly as
face the fire. 1T matters very little what
takes me of, he used to say; 1--we nothing
to live for, and there's no one to shed q tear
for Inc when am gone.' It's u sad thought
for man to have, isn't it,
Mrs Cobb sighed and said she thought it
was.
But did he ever tell you the name Of the
lady who had Tilted him?'
Il know her FIRST name.'
What was it?'
Maria.
The plump little widow almost started out
of her chair; tho name was spoken 80 exact
ly as Sam would have said it.
Did you know her? ? he asked, looking at
her.
Yes
ultimately"
Yes
'And where is she now? Still happy with
her husband, l suppose, and never giving q
thought to the poor fellow she drove out into
the world
NO. said Mrs. Cobb. shading her face
with her hand and speaking unsteady. no,
her husband is dead
.Ab. But still she never thinks Of Sam.
There was dead silence.
'Does she?
.lIow can tellT
you are still iriendsf'
Yes
Then you ought to know, and you do
tell me-
.I'm sure do not know why should
But IL do you must promise me, on your
honor, not to tell, if you ever meet him
again.
MADAM, what you say to me shall never
be repeated to any mortal man, upon my
honor
well, then, she does remember him.
'But hOw?'
As kindly, think, as he could wish.'
Il am glad to hear il for his sake. You
and are the friends Of both parties; we can
rejoice with each other
lie drew his chair nearer hers. and took
her hand. One moment she resisted, but il
was a magic touch the rosy palm lay quet.
" in his, and the dark head bent so low
that It nearly touched her shoulder. 1t did
not matter much.
Was he not Samucl's dear friend? II he
was not the rose. had he not been near It for
long, long time?
1T was q foolish quarrel that parted them,
said the stranger, softly.
Did he tell you about it,
.Ycs, on board the whalcr.
sDid he blame her much =
Not rs much as himself. He said that
his jealousy and i'll temper drove her to break
or the match. but he thought sometimes II
he had only gone back and spoken to her
Kindly. she would have married him after