Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-01-29
selttt storp.
HIDOW COBB'S FIRSTLOTE.

! @-%N~'
wrinkled his black nose approvingly as
he turned his hind feet whore iSfore feet
Lad been. Over the chimney hung several
fine hams and pieces OF dried beef. Ap-
Piles were fcStooncd along the ceiling, and
crooknecked squashes We'd with red pep
per and slips dried pumpkin in garnish-
ing each window frame. There were
plants. too. on the window ledge-horse-
shoe geraniums and dew plants, and y
monthly rose, Just budding, to say moth
ing of pots of violets that perfumed the
whole place whenever they took it into
their purple heads To bloom. The floor
was carefully swept, the chairs had not a
spcck OF dust upon leg or round, the long
Settec near the fire place shone rs if it
had lust been vanished. and the eight
day clock in the corner had is white face
newly washed, and seemed determined To
tick the loader for il. Two arm chairs
were drawn up n co5y distance from
the hearth and each other; candle, a
newspaper. pair of spectacles. a dish of
,ed-chceked apples and pitcher OF cider
filed the table between them. In one of
the chairs sat a comfortable looking woman
of about fcrty-five, with cheeks red as the
apples and ewes as bright as ever they
had been. resting her elbow on the table
and her head upon her hand. and looking
thoughtfully into the fire. This was the
widow Cobb. "relict" of Deacon Levi
Cobb, who had been mouldering into dust
in the Bytown church-yard Tor more than
seven wears. She was thinking of her
dead husband, probably because-all her
work being done and the servant gone to
bed-the sight of the table and the silence
of the room made her little lonely.
Seven years 80 the willows reyerie
ran. III seems a. if il Were more than
dity, and / don't look so very old either.
They may say what they please chill
dren are more plague than profit, that's
my opinion. Look at my sister Jerusha
with her six boys. She's Worn 10 shad-
ow, and am sure they have done it,
though she will never own it"
The widow took an apple from the dish
and began To peal II.
How fond Mr.. Cobb used 10 be Of
these gratis. remember how used 10
throw apple bearings over my head when
was girl to sec who | was going TO
marry"
Mrs. Cobb stopped short and blushed.
Her medita;ious took new turn.
'How handsome Sam Payson was, and
how used to care about him. Jerusha
SAYS he went away from our village just
after did, and no one has heard of him
since. And what silly thing that quar-
rel was. II had not been for that
Here came long pause, during which
the widow looked very steadiaStly at the
empty arm chair Of Levi Cobb, deceased.
Her fingers played carcleSsly with the ap-
pie pearing, she drew il safely toward
her and looked around the room.
Upon my word it is very ridiculous.
and don't know what the neighbors
would say if they saw me
Still the plump fingers drew The peal
nearer.
But they can't see me, that's comfort.
and the cat and old Bowse will never
know what ii means. OF course don't
believe any thing about il.
The pairing hung gracefully from her
hand
Bu, still should like to Try it; it would
seem like old times, and"
Over her head il went and curled up
quietly ON the loor AZ distance.
.Bowse, Bowse, don't touch it.' cried
his mistress. There was a. handsome a
capital ) as Que could wish To see.
\ loud knock came suddenly at the
door.
The dog growled and the widow scream
ed and snatched up the apple pairing.
Its Mr.. Cobb; lis his spirit come
back again because tried that silly trick. y"
Another knock louder than the first and
a man. voice exclaimed:
"IIillo, the house
WHO is it?n exclaimed the widow,
somewhat relieved 10 find that the de-
parted Levi was still in his grave on the
hill.
A stranger" said the voice.
What 10 YOU want"
To get lodging here fox the night
Cant you 60 on'"
Its raining Gals and dogs, and I'm
very delicate" said the stranger. cough
ing.
Raining is ii? Come in, whoever you
be. only asked you TO 90 because am
a lone woman, with only one servant in
the house"
The stranger entered, shaking himself
like Newfoundland dog upon the step,
and scatteringa shower of silver drops
over his hostess and her nicely swept
ioOr.
..Ah that looks comfortable, after man
has been out for hours in a storm" he
said. as he caught sight of the fire.
Mr.. Cobb had worn comfortable dress
ing gown during mis- illness, which still
hung in the closet at her right. She could
not let this poor man catch his death by