Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-04-08

on the business bequeathed 10 her by her
deceased husband, along with five small
children, and one not so small. But,
worse than that, one who was "not al
together there as the English say.
She was about this business now,
dressed in primitive sort of bloomer,
with wash tub and clothes wringer be-
fore her, and an army of bathing suits
of every kind and color Tapping wildly
in the fresh sea air at one side.
From little farther on, mingling
with the sound of the beating surf, came
the merry voices of bathers,- boarders
at the great hotels on the hill
"Here you be Hard at itp said
Captain Ben, putting around the corner
like portable west wind. "Pve un-
derstood you've had hurt. Is that SOP"
"On no Nothing to mention" return
ed Mrs. Keens, turning about face
bright and cheerful as the full moon /;
and throwing, as by accident, red bath
ing sui: over the two broom-sticks that
leaned against her tub.
Unlike Mrs. Davids, Mrs. Keens nei-
ther pitied herself nor would allow any
body else to do SO.
"Shoi" remarked Captain Ben, feel
ing defrauded. He had counted on sac
rifcing himself to his sympathies, but he
didn't give up yet. "You must see
some pretty tough times pears to me
with such parcel of little ones, and on
ly yourself to look to-" said he, proceed
ing awkwardly enough to hang the pile
of wrung-out clothes upon an empty
line
| don't complain" returned the wild
ow, bravely. "My children are not
teusonae; and Jack, why you would be
surprised ta see how many things Jack
can do, for all he isn't quite right"
As she spoke thus with atfectionate
pride, Jack came up wheeling roughly
made cart filled with wet bathing-clothes
from the beach. He looked up at sound
of his mothers voice with something OF
the dumb tenderness of an intelligent
dog. "Jack helps, Jack good boy
said he, nodding with happy smile.
Yes, Jack helps. We don't com
plain" repeated the mother.
1t would come handy, though, tc
have man around to see to things and
kind o provide, wouldn't it, though 2
persisted Captain Ben.
Some might think So" replied Mrs
! Keens, stopping her wringer to reflect a
little. "But I haven't any wish tc
change my situation she added, decid
edly, going on again with her work.
Sure on't?' persisted the Captain.
Certain" replied the widow.
Captain Ben sighed. 81 thought ma
be you was having hard row to hoe
and | thoughts like enough"
What he never said, excepting by {
beseeching glance at the cheerful widow
for just then an interruption came from
some people after bathing suits,
So Captain Ben moved off with dis
NAL countenance. But before he hac
gone far it suddenly frightened. az
might not be for the best,' quoth he tt
himself. Like enough not. I wa
very careful not to commit myself, an,
/ am very glad l didn't" He smiled a
he reflected on his judicious wariness
"But, however," he continued, 81 Nigh
as well finish up this business now. Their
is Rachel Doolittle. Who knows bu
she'd make likely wife ? Lyddy sot
good deal by her. She never had ,
quilting or sewing bee but what moth
ing would do but she must give Rache
Doolittle an invite. Yes | wonder
never decided on her before. She vii
be glad of home sure enough, for sh
haves to live around, as it were, upo
her brothers."
Captain Ben's feet quickened them
selves at these thoughts, and had almos
overtaken his head, when behold at
sudden turn in the road there stood Mis-
Rachel Doolittle, picking barberries fror
wayside bush. MY sakesl If sh
amt right here, like Rachel in the B
BILE! calculated Captain Ben, takin
heart at the omen.
Miss Doolittle looked up from unde
her tied-down brown hat in surprise a
such salutation. But her surprise wa
increased by Capt. Ben's next remark.
at just came into my mind. said h
"that you was the right one to tx
Lyddy's place. You two used to fe sucl
great knit-ups that it will seem most lik
having Lyddy back again. No, h
continued after little reflection,
don't know of anybody had rather Sc
sitting in Lyddy's ehair and wearin
Lyddy's things thah yourself"
.Da,r Csptain Iupdy. I couldp