Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-11-18
UNDER SUSPICION.

was only boy, scarce turned OF twenty;
and thoug ii I'm his mother that says it, an
honester lad or better son never lived.
Ever since his father. died, he labored hard
and faithful, and'twas not in the dram
shops he spent his earnings either, but he
! brought them home on Saturday night,
whenever it came and he used to lay the
bright silver dollars in my lap, and then
he'd say, with his canny smile;
Here's the money, mother, that will
buy US our Sunday dinner, and all the
good things for next week"
had noticed for long time that Jamie
and Maggie Bryan were very fond of each
other, and was not sorry to notice it, for
knew the boy would be wanting to get
married sometime, and nicer, neater girl
than Maggie was not to be found.
Twas mile from our little cottage to
where Maggie lived, and on Sunday nights
jamie would clothe himself in his best
and walk over there, and when he came
back, if chanced to be up, it did me good
to look into his happy cOntented face, as
he raked up the smouldering logs in the
fire place, and took his seat in the Chin
ney corner. could tell ty the half
dreamy look in his eyes that saw he Maggie's
soft curls and rosy cheeks in the flames,
and that he was in love.
One Sunday night, however, when he
came home later than usual, there was a
troubled puzzled look on his face, and he
didnt smile or speak any Of his pleasant
words, but just paced the floor in ner-
vous manner, aud seemed doubtful wheth-
er or not to tell me something that bur
dened him.
didn't question him, for concluded
that he had quarrel with Maggie and if
twas heart wound that troubled him,
talking about 1t could but open it wider
He went to bed very soon after he came
in. | was about to do the same when
heard the fire bells in the village ringing.
| went to the door, and looking out saw
a great flaming light in the direction of
one of the churches. was glad our cot
tage was not situated in the heart of the
town, for these fires had become very COM
mon oil late, and the newspapers said that
nobody's property was safe though it
was not dwelling houses they Lurnt, but
barn and churches and public buildings.
A $1,000 reward had been offered for
the arrest of the incendiaries, but whoever
they were kept clear of the authorities.
doat know how it happened, but, as |
stood there at the door listening to the
bells, they seemed to say every time they
changed, "Jamie Riley, Ja-mi. Riley !"
and | could not resi- - 81 - : my dear
bows name with some AWFUL crime
slept but poorly that night. and being
awake very early in the morning. / heard
Jamie come softly down the stairs and 60
ont at the door. After time got mp
and Just as had placed the breakfast on
the table, Jamie came in.
lie looked very pale and he had..no ap
petite for his food.
| began to be frightened about him.
-Jammie," said ''are you sick, or
what ails you!"
No, mother" he answered I'm not
sick, and caLnot tell yor wnat troubles
me T.
Then he rose from.the table and putting
on his ha, he started for the factory where
he worked. He took up the tin pale in
which i always placed his lunch, but he
did it as by habit; nor did he stop TO in
quire AS Was his custom, what it contained.
felt worried all day. Some trouble
hanging over us, but what it was | could
not guess. -.
In the afternoon Maggie Bryan came in
to see ME. She was very handy with nee
die, and the folks who lived in the big
house on yonder hill, had sent for her to
do some sewing. She was returning and
had called to tell me how much pay she
had received for her work. Maggie saw
in a moment that was not in good spirits
and so she ceased her pratte and asked in
a serious tone.
Has anything bad happened, Mrs. Riley
"You seem sorrowful to day"
Then / spoke out boldly. ..
"You have quarreled with Jamie have
you moi, Maggie"
"Nay, nay, Mrs. Riley" she answered.
81 quarrel with Jamie? You know love
him dearly -..... .....
And then the sweet girl blushed at her
own confession. ... .......
lou may guess lHdb tHio hHo"iouSC oiu
not ease nv mind much, How now
could account for Jamie's pale face and
nervous manner?
1t did not seem possible to me that the
lad could have done any wrong act, but /
couldn't forget how the bells seemed to
clang, Jamie Riley, Jamie Riley"
and when remembered the boys strange
actions an awful fear grew upon me.
Maggie tried 10 vain TO discover what
disturbed me- She went away in little
time, but promised to call next day, "for |
am afraid the fever is coming on you"
she said, as she kissed me and babe me
goodbye.
After she had gone busted myself in
getting ready the supper, for Jamie always
enjoyed his supper and what wonder that,
with hard days work, an early breakfast,
and only a lunch at noon, he should eat
heartily Mt night. / baked some biscuit
and kept them smoking hot, cooked a
nice bit of meat, aud boiled some potatoes
and then got out little dish of pre-
serves and stepped some tea