The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-01-12
BIDDEF0RD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. II, 1866.
.In YOUR ,leep!, .id Mr. pucklow, incred.

'In your slcep!' said Mr.. Ducklow' incrcd
ulously. ....y -,
ISuess so. was dreamin' you brouch
me home new drum,-tuckcd down yer boot
leg, faltcred Taddy.
iStrange!' said Mr.. Ducklow, with
glance at his wife. But how could bring
a drum in my boot.lcg?'
Don't know, 'thout 1t 8 q new kind ont
that will shet up
Taddy looked eagerly around, but saw moth
ing new or interesting, except some curious
looking papers which Mrs. Ducklow was hasti
ly tueking into an envelope.
Say, did ye, pa?'
did I? Of course didn't! What non
sense! But how came yc down here? speal
the truth
Il drcampt you was blowin' 1t up, and
sprung to ketch II, when, flst knowed, wa
on the floor. like u thousan' o. brick Mos
broke my knce.pans!' whimpered Taddy
Say, didn't yc bring me home nothn'?-
What's them things?'
Nothin' little boys know anything about
Now run back to bed ngin. forgot to buy
you drum to day, but I'll git ye somethn
next time go to town,-lf think ont
so ye always say, but ye never think ont,
complained Taddy.
There, there! Somebody's comein'! Wha
q lookin' object you arc, to bc seen by visitors !!
There was knock. Taddy disappeared
Mr.. Ducklow turned anxiously to his wife
who was hastily hiding tho bonds in her palpi
tating bosom.
WHO can 1t be this time o. night?'
sSakcs alyo!' said Mrs. Ducklow, IL
whose mind burglars were uppermost, : wisl
whoever t Is, they'd keep away! Go to th'
door, she whispered, rcsuming her work.
Mr.. Ducklow complied; and, Us the visitor
entered, there she sat plying her needle rs In
dustriously and demurely as though neithe
bonds nor burglars had ever been heard of il
that remote rural district.
.Ah. Miss Beswick, walk in! said Mr.
Ducklow.
A tall, spare. somewhat prim-looking female
of middle age, with shawl over her head, en-
tered, nodding curt and precise good evening
first to Mr.. Ducklow, then to his vile.
What, that you p said Mrs. Ducklow
with curiosity and surprise. where on 'arti
did you come from?' Set her q chair, why
don't ye, father?'
Mr.. Ducklow, who was busy slipping hi
fee, into an old pair of shoes, hastened to com'
ply with tho hospitable suggestion.
I've only jest got home. said he, apologct'
ically, as IL fearful lest the fact OF his being
caught in his stocking feet should create sus
picion: 80 absurdly careful of appearances some
people become, when they have anything tc
conceal. Jest had time to kick my boots off,
you see. Take q scat
Thank yc. Is'pose you'll think I'm wild,
maxim calls ut this hour!
And Miss Beswick seated herself. with m
angular movement, and held herself prim and
erect in the chair.
why. no, | DON'T said Mira. Ducklow
eivilly; while Mt the samo time she did think
it very extraordinary and unwarrantable con
duct ON the part of her neighbor to be walking
the streets and entering the dwellings OF hon.
est people, alone, after eight o'clock, on dark
night.
you're jest in tint to sctup and take q cur
o. tea with my husband an invitation which
she knew would not bo accepted, and she
pressed accordingly. Yo better, Miss Beswick
Il only to keep him company. Take Oft ye'
things, won YET
"No, I don't 60 a.visitin', to take of my
things and drink tea, this time o. night
Miss Beswick condescendcd, however, tC
throw back the shawl from her head. exposing
to view long, sinewy neck, tho strong lines Ol
which ran into her cheeks, and ramted into
wrinkles, giving severity to her features. AT
the same time emcrgcd from tho fold OF the gnr'
ment, as it were, u knob, high, hare poll, 10
lofty and narrow, and destitute Uf the usual
ornament, natural or false. that you involuta.
rily looked twice, to assure yourself that IL was
really that lovely and adorable object, female
head.
'I'vo jest run over to tell you the news said
Miss Beswick.
.Nothin' bad, I hops? said Mrs. Ducklow.
No robbers in town for massy sake?' And
Mrs. Ducklow laid her hand on her bosom, ;C
make sure that the bonds were still there.
NO, good ws,-good for Sophrony. at any
rate!'
sAh! she has heard from Rcubcn?'
'No!' Tho severity Of the features wa,
modified by grim smile. mol and the lit
tie. high knob of u head was shaken expires
sively.
What then?' Ducklow inquired.
Reuben has come home!' The words were
spoken triunphantly and the keen grey eyes oi
the elderly maiden twinklcd.
Como home homc!' echoed both the
Ducklows at once, in great astonisnnlent.
Miss Beswick ussured them of the fact.
MY! how you talk! exclaimed Mrs. Duck
low, Il never dreamed OF such a-Whcn did he
Gomez
about an hour m half ago. happened
to he in to Sophrony's had jest gone over
70 set a little while with her and keep her COM
ruuy,-as I've often done. she seemed 30 lonely
iiyin' there with her two children alone in the
house, her husband away so. Her friend,
haven't been none too attentive to her in his
absence, she thinks-and 20 think
lo,, So, ,lop'k ~ m thuk M N hint N
us, Miss Beswck, SAID Mrs. Ducklow.
you can take it rs such, or not, jest as you
please! | leave it to your own consclences
You know best whether you have done your
duty to Sophrony and her family, whilst he'
set myself up for u judge. You never had an,
boys Of your own, and 80 you adopted kenoei
jcst rs you have lately adopted Thaddeus ant
s'pose you think you have done we'll by him
Jest as you think you will do by Thaddeus, i
he's q good boy, and stays with you till hc'
twenty.one
Il hope no one thinks or says the contrary
Miss Bcswick!' said Mr.. Ducklow, grayely
with flushed face.
There may bc two opinions on that sub
jject = said Aliss Beswick, with u slight toss o
the head, setting that small and irregular
sphcroid at n at II loitier nnd more imposing
altitude. Reuben came to you when hs wn'
Jest old enough to be Of use about the hous'
and on the farm; and ] rccolcct right, yot
did mt encourage idlcness in him long. Yot
didn't giv- his hands much chance to do some
mischief still' No, indeed nobody can &C
cuso you of that weakness And the skin o.
the wrinkled features frightened with terribl,
grin.