The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-04-30
Low a coNvIer wos 4 rAnpoN.

AtEIGiC6 IL is lOuelA stay ing mere
nights, and besides, | am fearful that
some one will break in and rob the
house and murder US all. | never say
my prayers and go to bed without
trembling for my own life and the
lives of the children" and the little
woman hung upon the arm OF the
strong man, and begged him with tear
full eyes to give up his wandering life
THAT of a peddlerl and settle down.
as soon as / have gathered enough
together to buy Ine bit of ground, or
what is better still, to emigrate to A
merica, that blessed land of freedom,
where, as the song says, there's bread
and work for ALL and the bright sun is
always shining, I'll gladly give up car
rying the pack, for it's no easy work
at the best"
"Only think of the money you have
in the house now, husband, dear. Sure
ly there is enough to take US across the
sea-you and and the children, and
Bridget too, if she likes to go.'
Bridget was the servant girl who
helped the wife of the peddler, and
was her sole companion when he was
away, and her eyes snapped with per-
feet delight when she heard the propo-
sition. But she said nothing, and the
master continued.
at is true for you, Kathleen, that I
have matter of hundred pounds or
so, which | shall leave for you to take
care Of and if have luck this time l
promise you to remain at home or go
/ TO America, bless her. It's a good
friend she has been to Ireland, and
many is the poor soul she has kept
from starving. So take care Of the chill
/ dren, Kathleen-you and Bridget-un-
| til l come back, and he kissed his
wife and bright-eyed, curly headed ba-
bies, gave Bridget the goodbye, shoul-
dered his pack, and strobe stoutly a
way, whistling merrily.
Terrence O'Brien was a peddler by
profession, and what was called a fore
handed man. His family consisted of
the good wife, two children-a boy of
scarcely three years, and babe-and
/ the girl of all work, Bridget. At the
start Of his married life he had rented
little cottage that stood in a lonely,
out-of-the-way place; although he had
! increased his stores, he had retained
possession Of it on the score of econo-
nay.
/ A brave, athletic man, and one who
feared nothing human, he could not
understand the terror of his wife,
Kathleen-in fact, gave them little
thought. Besides, robbery W2s thing
almost unknown among the peassAtry,
and who would ever dream of his hay
] ing a large amount in his wretched
cabin? But it was not his custom to do
So. Usually he deposited it in secure
place. So he gave the matter no furth-
| er thought than to promise himself
that this should be his last journey, Iii
he did as well as he anticipatedl and
/ tugged around, fattering the rosy
checked girls into purchasing finery
with which TO dazzle the eyes of their
beaux at the next fair.
His heart was light, his form strong :
! he had none of the fears of his wife,
and was looking forward joyfully TO
the time when he would have little
home, "a pig and 3 patch of pratties, F"
| that would belong to himseifalone, and
( of which no hard-hearted or non-resi-
/ dent landlord could claim control, al
though he would willingly pay his
/ tithes to the church.
With Kathleen, however, it was far
/ different. AS the night began to draw
near and the winds to creep around the
| corners of the cabin and whistle down
the chimney with mournful sound,
she bethought herself Of the sovereigrs
her husband left, and taking the bag
in which they were kept from the lit
tie cupboard over the fireplace, she
! tucked it between the beds, remarking
at the same time to Bridget, "that no
! ore would ever think of looking for it
/ there"
"No," was the reply: sit would be a
smart man sure, that would be look
ing under the children to find gold"
The tea over, for they were early
sIeepers and early risers, the girl re-
auested that she might be allowed to
pass the evening with her sister, who
resided about a mile distant, and the
anxious wife aud mother, although
rely 10th to do so, at length consent
ed, insisting upon an early return.
"But you viii be back early, Bird
get ?o
"Av course will that same. But
don't be after fretin', and the girl de
parted.
| The lonely woman busted herself as
! best she might until a late hour, bu'
the girl did not return. In fever o
anxiety, she watched until about sixty
minutes had passed, although it ap
/ peared to her like a half day; anc
then, considering it useless TO remain
up longer, sought her own pillow, al
ter commencing herself to Him wht
| is the protector of the widow and tht
fatherless. But she had not CLOSED
her ewes before there was loud rap a.
/ the door.
els that you, Bridget?" she asked
hopefully.
No." was the answer, and her near
sunk like lead within her. mo. an
stranger lost my way, and yor
/ must let me inn