The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-03-25

This affecting but rather improbable allegory
would have had considerable effect on the really
tender-heartej Lish but for Its incongruous
ending In the habitual threat Of mothers. That
he could look out Of window and see bis par
ents' double funeral as passive spectator see
them. moreover, not carried, but going to the
graye-which phrase Is usually understood to
express something rather gradual and volun.
tary-was In the region Of high romance, to say
the least, yet not utterly impossible. But the
idea Of Mrs. Allen. In this abjectly moribund
state, taking the systematic maternal revenge
which, earlier In his life, was associated with
birch laid on by an arm apparently good
way, yet from its last struggle, was 30 ire; IRE;
family. and Lish burst into hearty, good.na-
tured laugh.
'Wa'al, mother, you must forgive me for
larfin', but Il comes nat'rul. Yew don't look
q bit like dyin' yet and as Tor that seat under
Parson Stebbins, as hain't eeard O. our meet
In. house burnin' down jest yet, guess won't
order It till yer say SO. Ef II won't crowd ye,
I dew hope you'll let me have room In our slip
yet while, and p'raps q sittin' daown place
father, you'll hev to wait till next week for that;
for Jest heerd him say In the street, not an
hour ago, haow heed been engaged to go daown
Cape Cod way fshin' with q party Of fellers
from New York, that had brought their own
smack, but wanted somebody clse's gumption.
In fact, he told me to tell yeou that he'd hev
to start right of without comm hum, as the
wind was westerly. and the fellers were in an
orful hurry for fear I'D haul He had lot
and he guessed he wouldn't be back for ten
days or so.'
Lish was now the only thing In the shape OF
men folks to be available for the next week at
least, and Mrs. Allen felt II the wisest course to
proptiate him. SO she said, In much gentlcr
tone than before
'Wa'al, Lish, yeou can't blame your poor
mother ef shc Is kinder anxious abaout ye.
Yc're oil she's got to look forrid tew In her old
age ef the Deacon shud te tux of, which tho
Lord o. massy forbid though them that goes
down to the sea In ships runs great risks. And
ef she does fare eout a little at ye naow and
grows the warmer tcw ye: and ef ye only dew
what's best for yourself, she'll be the fust to
say, 'Nqow let thy servant depart In pc ,cc.'
Yc couldn't fetch In that bar'l o. meal that's
eout to the woodshed aforc ye GO tew the store
could ye, Lishl'
'wa'ai, guess there amt nothin' TO hem
der replied Lish, briskly, taking of the spick:
span new Sunday coat, and hanging II on nail
back Of Mrs. Briggs rocking chair.
kinder dusty; let me hang this clean sheet over
it, said Mrs. Allen, tendcrly, at tho same time
suiting the action to the word.
Thank ye, MOTHER answered Lish, and put
on a pair OF blue oyeralls that hung In tho cor
ner by the clock.
I'll hev some raie nice Indian frittcrs for ye
agin ye get homo from the store, Lish.' =.
Lish thanked his mother again, and strobe
out of tho back door.
That's an orful han'scmc boy o. yourn, and
right down smart tew,' said Mrs. Briggs, as
soon rs he was beyond hearing
Il kalkilate he Is, though Isay II rs oughtnt,'
replied Mrs. Allen, bending lower than usual
over the ironing board, whero o spotless shirt
Of tho young man In questiougrow glossy un-
der her fat.
Blessed Is he that hath his quiver full o.
EN- said Mrs. Briggs, half soliloquiling; then
added, after moment, 'ef the pints don't lay
the wrong way, and prick the folks that carries
'em.'
Mrs. Allen bent still lower over the shirt, as
II she were examining whether she had smashed
q button.
Yes, you've got right daown smart, ham,
some boy
At this instant the door opened, and the un.
conscious recipient Of the compliment came In
to verify II.
With the meal. l.barrcl poised on his square
right shoulder, ono brawny arm curved round
II ut the side. the other steadying II In front,
and both bulged out with The effort so that the
net work OF blue veins stood In clear relief from
the elbow to the wrist, below the rolled up
sleeves Of the fresh white shirt which no had
with his curly black head dropped downward,
and to the left, to save tho broad clean collar
and black tic, mounted for the same purpose
with his shiny boots at every step sounding that
hammer.like thud which tells Of heavy weight,
and pair Of stout legs we'll brsced to walk of
under Il without staggering-with his flushed
brown face and his bright. healthy black eyes
his red, kindly mouth, half open for easier
breathing and his nostrils dilated. like spir-
tied, willing young horse's-Li,h would not
hayo shamed anybody who paid him Mrs.
Briggs's compliment.
.Where shall put II, mother, said Lish.
'Oh, set Il down anywhere said Mrs. Allen,
tendcrly. IT'S bad enough to hev lifted that
heft from the wood.house without osrr'in' II
any furde,. Let It daown, and III make out to
roll It into the pantry
Jest you open that pantry door and I'll put
Il there myself. 'Taint my way IN leave things
standin' round So saying, Lish stamped In
and set down his barrel by the others, where II
belonged.
There Naow IL those Indian frittcrs ain't
light, 'twon't be because didn't help raise
EN-
II they ever kissed In Muskeogue- which,
painful as 1t Is to be the novelist, I must say
they don't, regarding 1t. like all tribes In their
early stages Of civilization, rs partaking Of ig
nominious, solitude, and marriage not yet con-
cluded, happen to be concurrent circumstances
-Lish would have made his final peace with
Mrs. Allen by that act. With him the correla. |
tive expression OF the same feeling was the
good humored smile which he threw on her like
q veil Of sunlight falling from the sky luxurl
ously and llngeringly through the clouds Of
wet spring day, and tho gentle voice In which
he said, 'I'll be back early to ten, mother, as
he stood with his hand on the latch, seeming to
invite further commands with the most flial
though unwordcd helpfulness. Nothing hard.
ems q woman 30 much rs to leave her presence
with Jerk; nothing 80 much softens and wins
her as to depart slowly and half deprecatingly.
Mrs. Allen bent down still lower over her
ironing board, then set the fat on Its stand,
and the moment the shiny boots sounded at the
gate for the last time, and It's hinges creaked
and the weight drew II back with slam, she
sat down on tho nearest chair and burst into
tears.
For though men don't kiss, women cry. even
In Muskeogue.
TO BE coSriSupED.