Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-09
NO. 85.

! -Seo VI " houoc-kccpeT.
Perhaps So" assented Mr.. Davids, du-
blously but she is troubled sight with
the head complaint; suppose YOU know
she is. That is against her"
YES" assented Miss Tame. sThe
Muchmores all have weak heads. And
too. the Widow Keens, she's had fall
lately. She was up in chair cleaning her
top buttery shelf, and somehow one Of the
chair legs give way,-it was loose or
something. l expect-and down she went
her whole heft She keeps about, but she
goes with two staves."
IL want to know if that is so," said Cap
tain Ben, his honest soul warming with
sudden sympathy. "The widder has seen
q sight of trouble"
Eyes, she has lived through good deal
that woman has. / couldn't live through
SO much, pears to me; but we don't know
what we can live through, rejoined Miss
Tame
Captain Ben did not reply, but his ready
feet began to move to and fro restlessly;
for his heart, more ready yet, had already
gone out toward the unfortunate widow.
ut Is so bad for woman to be alone"
said he to himself, shambling along the
shirgly beach a moment after. Nobody
to mend her chairs or split up her kind
lings or do chore for her; and she lame
into the bargain 1t is too bad"
''He has steered straight for the Widow
keen's, as sure as is apple-dumplings,"
remarked Miss Persis, peering after him
from the window
"Well l must admit wouldn't have
thought OF Captain Ben's being en-a-mored
after such sckly piece of business. But
men never know what they want. Won't
you just hand me that gum camphor bottle,
now you are up? 1t is on that chest Of
drawers behind you"
''No more they don't returned Miss
Tame, with a plaintivc cadence. taking
sniff from the camphor bottle on the way.
However, don't begrutch him to her,
l don't know as do. 1t will make her a
good hum, though, if she concludes to
make arrangements
Meantime, Captain Ben Lundy's head
was well nigh at Mrs. Keen's door. for it
was situated only around the first sand-hi1l.
She lived in little bit of house that
looked as though it had been knocked to-
gether Tor crockery-crate in the first
place, with two windows and rude door
thrown in as after thoughts. In the rear
Of this house was another tiny building,
something like grown-up hen-coop; and
this was where Mrs. Keens carried on the
business bequeathed to her by her deceased
husband, along with five small children,
and one not SO small But, worse than
that. one who was mot altogether there"
as the English say.
She was about this business now, dressed
in primitive sort of bloomer, with q wash
tub and clothes wringer before her and an
army Of bathing-suits of every kind and
color tapping wildly in the fresh air at one
side
From a little farther on, mingling with
the sound of the beating surf, came the
merry voice of bathers, s,-boarders at the
great hotel on the hill.
"Here you be Hard at it - said Captain
Ben, putting round the corner like porta-
BILE west-wind. 1--we understood you've
had hurt. Is that sop'
80 no! Nothing to MENTION" returned
Mrs. keens, turning about face bright
and cheerful as the full moon; and throw
ing, as an accident, red bathing suit over
the two broomsticks that leaned against the
tub.
Unlike Mrs. Davids, Mrs. Keens neith-
er pitied herself nor would allow anybody
else to do so.
''Sho !" remarked Captain Ben, feeling
defrauded. He had counted ON sacrificing
himself to his sympathies, but he didn't
give up yet. ''You must see some pretty
tough times pears to me with such par
eel of little ones, and only yourselfto look
to-" said he, proceeding awkwardly enough
to hang the pile of wrung out clothes upon
an empty line.
II don't complain" returned the widow,
bravely. my children are not trouble
some, and Jack, why you would be sur
prised to see how many things Jack can
do, for all that he isn't quite right"
As she spoke thus with affectiOnate pride,
Jack came up wheeling rough cart filed
with wet bathing clothes from the beach.
He looked up at the sound of his mothers
voice with something of the tenderness of
an intelligent dog. Jack helps, Jack
good boy" said he, nodding with a happy
smile.
repeated the mother.
at would come handy, to have man
around to see to things and kind'o provide,
wouldn't it thought" persisted Captain
Ben.
"Some might think so," replied Mrs.
Keens, stopping her wringer to reflect
little. But havn't any wish to change
my situation she added, decidedly, going
on with her work.
Sure ont9n persisted the Captain.
Certain" replied the widow.
Captain Ben sighed. II thought ma'be
you was having hard row to hoe, and
thought like enough
What he never said, excepting by be-
seeching glance at the cheerful widow, Tor
just then an interruption came from some
people after bathing suits
SO Captain Ben moved off with dismal
countenance. But before he had gone far
it suddenly frightened. ut might not be
for the best" quoth he to himself Like
enough not, l was very careful not to
commit myself, and was very glad
didn't" He smiled as he reflected on his
judicious wariness. "But, however," he
continued, 81 might as well finish up this
business now. There is Rachael Doolittle.
Who knows but she'd make likely wife?
Liddy sot good deal by her. She never
had quilting or sewing bee but what
nothing would do but she must give
Rachael Doolittle an invite. Yes. won
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