The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-01-19
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 10, 1866.

FASTENED to cut short Taddy's trail and hcl
husband laughter with pair oi scissors.
Alter breakfast tho Duckows set of IN the
onch horse wagon, leaving Taddy to take care o
the house during their absence. That each
lclt secretly uneasy about the coupon bond,
cannot be denied; but, after tho experiences o
tho night and tho recrimnations Of the morn
ing, they were unwilling to acknowledge their
fears even to themselves, and much lees to each
other; 50 the precious papers were left hidden
under the carpet.
Safe enough, in all conscience said Mr..
Ducklow.
'Taddy Taddy! now mind!' Mrs. Duck.
low repeated for the twentieth time. D0n't
you leave the house, and don't you touch the
matches nor the fire, and don't 60 to ransack.
ing tho rooms neither. Yon won't, will ye?
'No'm,' answered Taddy, also for the TWEEN.
tieth time,-secretly resolved, all tho while, to
take advantage Of their absence, and discover,
if possible, what MIR. Ducklow brought home
last night in his bootleg.
The Ducklows had intended to show their
zeal and affection by making Reuben an early
visit. They wero somewhat chagrned, there
fore, to find several neighbors already arrived
to pay their respects to the returned soldier
The TACT that Miss Beswick was among the
number did not serve greatly to heighten their
spirits.
I've as good notion to turn round and 60
straight home again as ever | hud to cat
muttered Mrs. Ducklow.
It's too late now,' said her husband, nd.
vancing with show of confidence and cordial.
ity he did not feel.
tWall. Reuben glad to SEQ ye! glad to sec
20! This is u joyful LAY source ever expected
TO see! Why, ye don't look 30 sick as
thought 20 would Does he, mother2'
Dear me said Mrs. Ducklow, her woman's
nature, and perhaps her old motherly feelings
for their adopted son, dc ply moved by the
sight of his changed and wasted aspect. I'D
no idee he could be so very, SO very pale and
thin! Had you, Sophrony2'
Il don't know what thought said tho
young wife. standing by, watching her return.
cd volunteer with features surcharged with
emotion, deep suffering and sympathy. suf
fused and lightoned up by love and joy. I
only know have him now Ho has come
home Ho shall never leave mo again.-
ncyer!'
But wasn't it terrible to SEQ him brought
home 80 p whispered Mrs. Ducklow.
Yes, it was But, oh, was 30 thankful |!
felt tho worst was over and had him once
more can nurse him now. lie is no longer
hundreds of miles away, among strangers,
where cannot 90 to hiu,-tnough should
have gone long ago, as you know, II could
have raised the means, and If it hadn't been
for the children
.l-I-Mr. Ducklow would have tried to
help you to the means, and | would have
taken the children, IL We had thought 1t best
for you to co. said Mrs. Ducklow. But you
SEQ now it wasn't best, don't your
whether 1t was or not, don't complain
! am too happy to-day to complain to anything.
To SEQ him home again But have dreamt
30 often that he camo home, and woke up to
find that 1t was only dream, I'm half afraid
now to be as happy US | might be-
BE as happy us you please, Sophrony '
spoke up Reuben, who had seemed to DO listen
ing to Mr.. Ducklow's apologies for not coming
straining his ear to catch every word his wife
was saying. lie was dressed in his uniform
and lying on lounge, supported by pillows.
this world, ,--or the next world either, | may
say for can't conceive OF any greater heaven
than I'm now in. I'm going to get well, too.
spite OF the doctors. Coming home is the best
medicine for fellow in my condition. Not
bad to take, either. Stand here, Ruby, my
boy, and let yer daddy look at ye again! To
think that my Ruby, Pa Ducklow! Why,
he was mere baby when went away
Reuben Rcuben!' entreated the young
vile, leaning over him, you're talking too
much. You promised Inc you wouldn't, you
know
well, we'll, | won't. But when fellows
heart is chock full it's hard to shut down on it
some times. Don't look 80, friends, as if you
pittied me! LIANT to be pittied Ill bet
there isn't one Of you half as happy as am at
this minute!'
Here's Mics Beswick, Mother Ducklow,'
said Sophrona. Haven't you noticed hcr?'
'Oh, how do you do, Miss Beswick? p said
Mrs. DucklOw, appearing surprised.
myself useful, replied Miss Beswick, stifly.
Il don't know what should do without
her. said Sophrony, as the tall spinster disap
pcared 'She took right hold and helped rne
last night then sho came in again the first
thing this morning. Go to your husband,
says she to me; don't leave him minute.
know ho don't want 20 out OF his sisht,-aud
you don't want to DO out of his sight, either |;
so you tend right to him, and I'll do tho
work. Thercll bo enough folks comm in to
hcnder, but l'vo como in to help says che.
And here she's been ever since, hard at work ;
for when Miss Bcswick says u thing, there's no
use opposing her,-that you know, Mother
Ducklow.'
YES, she likes to havo her own way suid
Mrs. Ducklow, with peculiar pucker.
1T seems she called at the door last night to
tell you Reuben had come
Called ut the door! Didn't she toll you
she came in and made Us ysit?'
mo, indeed Did shc?'
Mrs Ducklow concluded that, IL nothing
had been said on that subject, she might as
we'll remain silent; SO che merely rcmarked,-
oh. yes, q visit,-for her. She amt no
great hand to make long stops, 20 know.
'0nly when she's needed said Sophronia; !;
then she never thinks Of going as long as she
sees anything to do. Reuben you mustn't
talk-Reuben
'Iwas saying, remarked Ncighbor Jepworth,
it'll be too bad now. ii you have to give up
this place; but he -
Sophronia, unseen by her husband, made
anxious signs TO the speaker to avoid so dis
tressing topic in the invallds presence.
I'VE are not going to worry ubout that, she
hastencd to say. After we have; been favored
by Providence 60 far, and IN such extraordina.
ry ways, We think we can afford to trust still
further. We have all we can think Of and
attend to to day and the future will take
caro- Of ITSELF
That's right; that's the way to- talk said
Mr.. Ducklow. Providence II take care OF 20,
you may be sure!'
Il should think you might get Dtson to re.
new the mortgage, observed Neighbor Ferring.
He can't be hard on you, under such circum.
stances. And he can't be 30 foolish as To want
the money. There's no security like real %.
tate. II had money to invest, wouldn't put
it into anything else.