The Lincoln County herald., 1868-11-26
Under sIlSplCIoN.' .

though LIN bis mother that says s, an
homes or lad or better von never lived,
Ever since his father died, he lahorsd hard
aud faithful, and twas not IN the dram
shops be spent bic earnings, either, but
he brought them Nome ilesery Saturday
| night; .wkensscr " thme, ind he used 70
lay The bright silver dcllsrs IN my lap,
and thso he'd say, with his canny smile
..iTIers's the money, mother, that will
buy as our Sunday dinner, and all thu
good things for next week" !" ,,,,,4.
bad noticed for long time that
jamie and Maggie Bryan were very fond
Of each other, and was not sorry to notice
il, for I knew. the boy would be Wanting
70 gst married some day, and . nicer,
seatst, girl than Maggie, Was not to be
found. - -. -',f 11ra' h.ao'' ~ '..s
Twas a mile from our little cottage Ia
where Maggie lived, and on Sunday nights
Jamie would clothe himself in his best
and walk over there, and when he cam
b,ck. if l Glanced to be up, it did me
good to look into his happy, and contcnted
flee ms he raked up the mouldering logs
in the Gre. plaee, and took his seat by the
chimney corner. 1could tell by the half.
dreamy expression of his eyes that he saw
| Maggie q soft curls aud rosy checks in the
fu n,e., and that he was iHlove. 80 !
One Sunday night, however, when he
came home later than usual. there was a
troubled, puzzled look on bis face, and
he didn't smilc nor speak any Of his pleas
ant words. but ju,t paced the floor III u .
nervous manner, and seemed doubtful
whether or not to tell ME something that
hurdened him.
1 didn't question him, for I concluded
that he had had quarrel with Maggic,
and If i, was a heart wound that troubled
him, talking about It could but opeu it
wider. ''.t ~ .'.
lie went to he'd very soon after he c,me
in. Twas about to do the same, when l
hoard the 6.e bells iu tho village ringing.
I went to the door aud looking out
saw great light in the direction Of one
of the churches. I was glad our cottage
was not situated in the heart Of the town,
for thrsc 'tircs hal become very common
Of late, and the newspapers said that there
was eauS,<of men engngea in, kindling
tbeYs spd ,hst nobody's property wa
safe, though it was not dwelling houses
they burnt, but barns, and churches, und
public buildings. ..rrls ,
ASi 900 reward had been offered fbr
tho arrest Of the incendiaiies, but, xh
ever they wero, shoy kept clear Of the
aut horitics. '"
I don't know how u happ,ne ], bnt ms
I stood ut tho door, listeuipg to the bells,
they seemed to say every time they
c!anrel, ,!"Ja mic Riley, ia mic Ri.ley!"
and I could not help associating my dear
boys name with some awful crma.
I slept but foorly that night, and
being awake very early in the morning,
I heard jamie como softly down the stairs
and 20 out'at the door. After tims I
go, up, and justa as 1 had placed the break
fast ou the table, jamie came in.
He looked very pale, and. he hsl nc
appetite for his food. !et s
'"Jumic," said I, "are.:y on sick, or what
ails your A.,
mo, mother" he answered ~ am not
sick, and caunot tell you what troubles
ne !" ,,.,l, ..a. .......
Then he rose from the table, and put
ting on his hat, he started for the factory
where he worked. lie took up the -
pail 10 which I always placed his lunch,
but he did it a. if by habit; nor did le
stop to Inquire, as was his custom, what
it contained.
felt worried oil day. Y Some trouble
seemed hanging over Us, but what it was
l couldn't guess. ."II.s.# .
In the afternoon Maggie Bryan came
In to zee me. She was very handy with
the needle, and tho folks who lived 10 the
big house, on yonder hill, had sent 10
her to do some sewing. She was return
ing and had called to tell mo how kind
the lady had been to her, and how much
pay she he'd received for her work. Z Mag.
gie saw in . moment tAatI was not in
good spirits, and 10 she ceased her pleas
ant prattle. ard asked jn serious tone ::
"Has anything bad happened. Mrs
Rileyf" You seem sorroWful to-day"
,"iTheu I spoke out boldly. 2ssl ra Nl7" T.
you have quarrelcd with jamie
have you not, Maggio?" ia.rr.F :
"Nay, nay Mira. R,loy," she answered
~ quarrel with Jamief You know l
love him dearly"
III AID then the synst girl blashsda her
own confession.
s,You may esess ,thAt this knowledge
didn't ease my mind much. How now
eould I account for Jamis's pale face and
nervous ihanneff '' ''''
1t did nJs 9sSm possible 70 me that the
iad!poA6d hsss done any vtoog ast butll
couldn't forget how the bolls seemed to
claug, .Js:mie Riley. a ME N Icy and
when I remembered the boys strange
actions, sn awful lfaas grew upon me.o I
ihe Maegie tried in vain 10 discover what
disturbed mo. rSte went away IN 4 little
time, but promised to, call sgsia he psa,
dsy ,,l'fcr I'm afIsid the fever 10 eomisR
On fou," she ssid, ID she kisSSd me. and