Litchfield enquirer., 1870-04-21

'.Yes, she has lived through good deal. that woman has. Tcouldn't live through SO much, pears to me; but we don't know what we can live thrcugh," 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 al. ready gone out toward the unfortunate widow.
 ssIt is so bad for woman to be alone said he to himself. shambling along the shingly beach moment after. "Nobody to mend her chairs or split up her kind lings for her; and she lame into the bar gainl It is too bad"
 'He has steered straight for the Widow Keen's as sure as A is apple dumpling, remarked Miss Persis, peering after hin from the window.
 "Well, I must admit would It have thought of Captain Ren's being en-a-mor ed after such sicklE piece of business But men never know what they want Won't you just hand me that gum-cam phyer bottle, now you are up? It is or that chest of drawers behind you"
 Meantime, Captain Ben Lundy's head was we'll nigh at Mrs. Keens' door, for il was situated around the first sand-hill She lived in bit of house that looked al though 1t had been knocked together fol a crockery-crate in the first place, with two windows and a rude door thrown in as af tert-houghts. 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 be queathed to her by her deceased husband along with five small children, and one not so small. But. worse that, one wht was not altogether there as the Englisf say. a
 She was about this business now, dres sed in a primitive sort of 8 bloomer, witl a wash. tub and clothes wringer before her and an army of bathing suits of every kinG and color Tapping wildly in the fresh ses air at one side.
 From little farther on, mingling with the sound of the beating surf, came the merry voices of bathers, s,-boarders at ths great hotels on the hill.
 "Here you be Hard at it!' said Gap tain Ben, pufing around the corner like portable west-wind." ''I've underst tood you've had hurt. Is that SOP"
 ''Oh no! Nothing to mention," return ed Mrs. Keens, turning about face brigh and cheerful as full moon; and throwing as by accident, red bathing suit over thu two broomsticks that leaned against hel tub.
 Unlike Mrs. Davids, Mrs. Keens neither pitied herself nor would allow anybody anybody else to do so.
 ''Sho!' remarked Captain Ben, feeline 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 per eel of little ones and only yourself to look to them, !" said he, proceeding awkwardly enough to hang the pile of wrung-out clothes upon an empty line.
 "I don't complain, retnrnsd the widow bravely. "My children are not teusome and Jack, why you would be surprised te see how many things Jack can do, for al he isn't quite right"
 As she spoke thus with affectionate pride, Jack came up wheeling roughly made cart filled with wet bathing -clothes from the beach. He looked up at the sound of his mothers voice with something O. the dumb tenderness of an intelligent dog "Jack helps, Jack good boy" said he, nod ding with happy smile.
 "Yes, Jack helps. We don't complain, repeated the mother.
 "It would come handy, though, to have 8 man around to see to things and kind ( provide, wouldn't it though?" persisted Captain Ben.
 ''Some might think so," replied Mrs Keens, stopping her wringer to reflect { little. "But haven't any wish to change my situation" she added, decidedly, going on again with her work.
 s'Sure on't?" persisted the Captain.
 "Certain," replied the widow.
 Certain Ben sighed. ''I thought ma be you was having hard row to hoe, and thoughts like enough"
 What he never said, excepting by be- seeching glance at the cheerful widow, fol just then an interruption came from some people after bathing-suits.
 So Captain Ben moved off with disma countenance. But before he had gone fal it suddenly frightened. ''It might not be for the best" quoth he to himself. "Likt enough not. was very careful not te commit myself, f,and lam very glad l dlo not" He smiled as he reflected on his ju dicious wariness. "But, however" he continued, ''I might as well finish up thi. business now. There is Rachel Doolittle Who knows but she'd make likely wife Lyddy sot good deal by her. She never had quilting or sewing bee but wha nothing would do but she must give Ra chel Doolittle an invite. Yes; wonder I never decided on her before. She vii be glad of home sure enough, for she hayes to live around as it were, upon hel brothers.
 Captain Ben's feet quickened themselve: at these thoughts, when behold! at sud den turn in the road there stood Miss Ra chel Doeittle, picking barberries from { waysids bush. My sakes! If she ain right lere, like Raclel in the Bible!" ejac ulatet Captain Ben, taking heart at the omeI. @~. Mss Doolittle looked up from under hel tied-down brown hat in surprise at such z salttion.. But her surprise was increased byCaptain Ben's next remark. rlt just came into my mind" said he Shat you was the right one to take Lyd @s place. You two used 10 be such great tnit-ups that it will seem most like having L!ddy back again. Mo-" he continued, af. lte' little reflection, sI don't know o1 anybody I had rather see sitting in Lyd- dE's chair and wearing Lyddy's things than Yurself."
 Dear me, Captain Lundy, I couldn't pink of it. Pauls folks expect me to stay Fith them while the boarder-season lasts, Ind I've as good as promised to spend the winter with Jacobs wife.
 "Ain't that hard life you're laying out for yourself? And then bum-by you will pet old or sick ma' ha and who ia ooino fo