The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-01-12
Mistellaneoas.
G0uP0N BONDS,

On certain mild March evening, a. ID.
1861, the Ducklow kitchen had general air
of waiting for somebody. Mrs. Ducklow sa,
knitting by tho light Of kerosene lamp, bu,
paused ever and anon, neglecting her stocking,
and knitting her brows instead, with an aspect
Of anxious listening. The old gray cat. coiled
up on cushion ut her side, purring in her
sleep, purrcd and slept rs if she knew perfectly
we'll who was coming som to occupy that chair,
and meant to make the most Of it. The old.
fashioned clock, pcrched upon the high mantel-
piece Of the low.studded room, ticked away
one.omcly, us clocks only tick when somebody
is waited for who does not come. Even the
tea.kettle on the stove seemed to be in the SO.
cret, for it simmcred and sang alter / he manner
of a wise old tea.kettle fully conscious of the
Importance Of its mission The side.table,
which was simply leaf on hinges fixed in the
wall, and looked like an apron when 1t was
down. giving to that side Of the kitchen Gu
rious resemblance To Mrs. Ducklow, and rested
on one arn when It was up, in which position
It reminded YOU more Of Mr.. Duckl0w leaning
his chin on his hand.-the side table was set
with q single plate, knife and fork. and cup
and saucer, indicating that the person waited
for was expected to partake OF refreshments
Behind tho stairway door was small boy kick
ing of very small pair OF trousers with de-
gree Of reluctance which showed that he also
wished to sit up and wait for somebody.
''Sly, ma, need 20 to bed now!" hc cx-
claimed rather than inquired, starting to pull
on the trousers again alter he had got ono leg
free. "lle'll want me tn hold the lantern lor
him to take care Of the hoss.'
"No. no, Taddy," for that was the boys
name, (short for 'rhaddeus,) "you'll only be in
4 Sat.
mend your pants"
You're always wantin' to mend my pants!'
complained the youngster, who seemed to think
that it was bv no means to do him favor, but
rather to afford herself n gloating pleasure.
that Mrs. Ducklow, who had mania for patch.
ing, required the garment to be delivered up to
her. "l wish there wasn't such thing as
pants in the world!"
"Don't talk that way, after all tho trouble
and expense we've bsen to to clothe ye!" said
the good woman, reprOvingly. "Wherc would
YOU be now, if 'twasn't for me and yer Pa
Ducklow?"
al shouldn't be goin' to bed when don't
want to-" he muttered, just loud enough to be
heard
"You uugrateful child" said Mrs. Ducklow,
not without reason, for Taddy knew very well
at least he was reminded of the fact often
enoush-that he owed to them his homo and
all its comforts. "Wouldn't be going to bed
when YOU don't want to! You woudn't be
going to bel when you want TO, more likely ;
for ten to one you wouldn't have bed to 20 to-.
Think of the sitewation YOU was in when we
adopted ye, and then talk that way!"
AS this was an unanswcrable argument, Tad
dy contented himself with thrusting a hand
into his trousers and rccklcssly increasing the
area of the Forthcoming patch. "Ir she likes
to mend so well, let her :" thought he.
"Taddy, are you tearing them pants?' cried
Mrs. Ducklow, sharply, hearing sound alarm.
ingly suggestive Of cracking threads.
81 was pullin' 'em off," said Taddy. "I
never see such mean cloth can't touch II, hut
it has to tear.-Say, ma, do you think hell
bring me home drum"
"You'll know in the morning"
al want to know tonight. lie said mabby
no would. Say, can't | set up?'
"I'll let We know whether ynu car set up,
after you've been told so many times!"
So saying. Mrs Ducklow rose from her chair,
laid down her kDittins.work, and started for
the stairway.dOor with great energy and q rat
tan. But Taddy. who perceived retribution np'
preaching, did not see fit to wait for it. lie
darted up the stairs and crept into his bunk
with the iightncss and agility of u squirrel.
a.uea any, .o'I"n, nn Iadv ' ,Io ,rouII" "i
ossSo,,5;,. ,ha s,,;rs ..I'm ,most .s,con
",cena'nS '"' '''''' "''' "''''l'
"It's good thing for you you be-" said
m's' p'SSo" Ea'",'mS w U"o S'"t T.,' ' "o
you did tear it I've good notion to give ye
u smart trouncing now !"
inuuy ~sa" 'nT,', ""u si's' - D'oN''"
cohe,uueu 'ha' snc "o"'I ""' WAX nun.
'nsa" :, ,'o w. ~ w., "T Lo.yo,o v I,n ,H' En,
u, @ 49,, 7 nons;,,a, !, a ,r.,, w;sGr,;n tb,,
%y f', 'o" o"o. ;a,on,at v. .am., hnr an,
% s",, y, y, ro,dy made carmen, G,r hoys now. .da -
L,, !, ,.'s - ;sccs y, ,bc Least ,,e,r or .,r,;n
,;Lo -, ,",,oI, brp.n n,ncr -
'"S ~ "'a.' IT. ., ,.L.,,
S"u WI. S S"pS s 'o "o,';n, ;nto iha m, ,a,d ,"Id
tn. ,I,a, Oh, ns,s,n so lnnc ,y,;,sj Jor h,d
"r,;r,J
,.rSa, ro, ~ ,o;a sho ons,;,c ,ho L;,cho,
door and iootirc ON, into the darkness.
"yes, "renlicI a mans voice.
.yo nan, |, Iontsrny"
..No. % ;ss, : sst th, i,mn in tho windcr and
| ,,oss I c,, 81, a,on, Whoa" And the mar
;rmnoa -, ,Sc cronnd
Ill - IL ,'' ,b, wom,, ;,,,;red /, ,
,ov % go s'''
.I,II ,el, - when come in" was the eva.
sivc answer
elias no bought me n drum ?" bawled Tadd,
from the chamber stairs.
"Do Won wan, me to como I'M there and 'tent
IN ve PS demanded Mrs. Ducklow.
| The how was not particularly ambitious o
| epioyinr that honor.
:.Yon be still and 20 to sleep, then, or you'll
cit drmmned"