Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-03-29
ELLSWORTH MAINE, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1867.

er a word of reproacl or of complaint
Nathan was blinded. bewldered, for a
time, but he was still truc-hearted; she
never dreamed that llc could really prefer
another to her, because she knew s;lt
could not prefer another to him and then
had he not told her in thousand ways
that hc loved her ? She blamed her more
in reality, for harboring doubt that she
blamed him for giving h cause. She
was unrasOnable she hoped and exacted
too much. But under all and over all
there was boding Of i'll, that kept her
from singing as she used.
Mrs. Armstrong was out of all patience.
as she said to her neighbor Mrs. Hastings,
to think that Nat was come of age now.
and had his fifty acres, and his own team,
and his choice Of the cnws, and his father
to assist in the building of house, and
ust as nice a littlesweet heart as ever was.
into the bargain. and he must go and
throw it all away And for what ! He
would see for what before he was many
years older bnt young hearts couldn't be
put on to old shoulders, she supposed, and
Nat would have to burn his fingers before
he could he made to know that fire was
hot! She had dozen coverlets and sllecrs,
and table linen, and all things to match,
laid away in the press, that had been call
ed Tilly's things for a year past, and now
to think! Well, they might lie there sew
en- years and rot before Toms Eunice. the
lazy, good-for nothing thing should have
them! She had talked to Nat, but what
gOodcame of it ?-the more she said
against Eunicc. why the more he was for
her; and he was not child any more so
that she could shut him up in the closet :;
she only wished he was. and she'd keep
him there for one while she guessed.
In this way the disappointed mother
got some bitter comfort but not much, for
there is never much comfort to be got out
of being wroth with one we love.
Natty was Natty, and her own boy after
all and she could not bear that he should
burn his fingers and learn for himself that
fire was hot. Perhaps, if he had his own
head fora while, he would see the folly of
his ways. aod be glad enough to come back
and settle on the fifty acres. This was
the last consolation she could get for her
self when she was driven to the wall and
and forced. for the time being. to give up
her cherished plan. So will one glcam OF
sunshine among her shadows, she washed
and bieachcd. and pressed, and got all
Mats wardrobe i'll the best condition posi-
Bile against his going And the old trunk that
had been his fathers was packed, and the
last day, and the evening of the last day
of the of home staying, was come.
You are going to see Matilda" says she,
when the latest chores were done.
OF course we are. answers Nathan.
Come, Lamsie, get your shawl and hat
is that Matildas shawl. Eunice, and
torn in that way , says Mr.. Armstrong,
taking hold Of the shawl, part of which
the careless girl had left among the bricrs
in the hay field.
"Yes, aunty, hut I'll get her another :
this was an old thing any how!'
"Sce that YOU do, saws Mrs. Armstrong.
to the manifest annoyance of her son: and
then she says, IF you were my girl
would give you downright scoding!"
'4h, but you mustn't scold now, dear
aunty. because if You do shall cry: and
| am, 40 sorry about the shawl. indeed am
and III give her one Of mine, so do pray
forgive mel"
She had fallen on the neck of her aunt
and was kissing her, aud the kind hearted
woman was in some sort paciiied, and dis.
missed her with little box of the ear
that was half IN earnest an l half in play
The evening was beautiful, and it was
the last walk they would have together
through the green lane. so they made it
leisurely, and Mrs. Hastings and Matilda
were just lighting their candle to so to bed
when the click of the gate latch detained
them.
IL was sure he would come, mother. !
was sure of it! That is his step" and
putting down the candle Matilda ran and
opened the door. 1t was Nathan sure
enough; but not as she expected to see
him. not alone.
II knew you would never forgive ME if
| came without Lamise,' he said land so
have fetched her along. Besides, she
needed the exercise, for she does nothing
from morning till night she is very
lazy creature. | wish she was little
more like You. Matilda"
And with that they came laughing into
the house, and Lamsic kissed Matilda on
the cheek, saying;" Il am sure | second
your wish, Nat. with all my hart" And
then she told Matilda that her cousin was
a great big story-trllcr, So he was; and
that he made her ont as bad as she could
be, and that she meant to be avenged ON
him when she got him away from his
friends
And so it is really true that you're go
ing 10 leave Your friends, is it, Nathan"
saws Mrs. Hastings, turning very serious
eyes upon him.
For a short time he answers: that is,
I am going to town. hut shall be home
every week, YOU know