Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-29
NO. lol.
Gales aud Sketehes.
UNDER SUSPICION.

constable took poor Jamie to the ail He
was only boy, scarce turned of twenty;
and, though I'm his mother that say 1t,
an honester lad or better son never lived
Ever since his father died, he labored
hard and faithful, and twas not in the
dram shop he spent his earnings either,
but he brought them home on Saturday
night, whenever it came; and he used to
lay his bright silver dollars in my lap,
and then he'd say, with his canny smile:
"Here's the money, mother, that will
buy us our Sunday dinner, and all the
good things for next week."
| had noticed for long time that Jamie
and Maggie Bryan were very fond of
each other, and was not sorry to notice
it, for l knew the boy would be wanting
to get married sometime, and nicer,
neater girl than Maggie was not to be
found.
Twas mile from our little cottage to
where Maggie lived. and on Sunday night
Jamie would clothe himself in his best
and walk over there, and when he came
back, if / chanced to be up, it did me
good to look into his happy contented face
as he raked up the smouldering logs in
the fireplace, taking his seat in the CHM
ney corner. | could tell by the half
dreamy look in his eyes, thathe saw Mag
|
flames, and that he was in love.
One Sunday night, however, when he
came home later than usual, there was
troubled, puzzled look on his face, and
he didn't smile nor speak any of his pleas
ant words, but just paced the floor in a
nervous manner, and seemed doubtful
whether or not to tell me something that
burdend him.
l didn't question him, for l concluded
that he had had quarrel with Maggie;
and if it was a heart-wound that troubled
him, talking about it could but open it the
wider.
He went to bed very soon after he came
in. | was about to do the same, when l
heard the fire bells in the village ringing.
| went to the door, and looking out / saw
great flaming light in the direction of
one of the churches-I was glad our cot
tage was not situated in the heart of the
of the village, for these fires had become
very common of late, and the newspaper
, said that there was gang of men engaged
erty was safe. though 1t was not dwelling
houses they burnt, but barns, and church.
es and public buildings
A $1,000 reward had been offered for the
arrest of the incendiaries, but whoever
they were they kept clear of the authori-
ties.
l don't know how it happened, but as
stood there at the door listening to the
bells, they seemed to say every time they
changed, Jamie Riley, Jamie Riley!" and
could not resist associating my dear boys
+. name with some awful crime.
slept but poorly that night, and being
y awake very early in the morning, heard
Jamie come softly down the stairs and 60
out at the door, After time l got up.
and just as l had placed the breakfast on
the table, Jamie came in.
He looked very pale and he had no ap-
petite for his food.
began to be frightened about him.
Jamie" said |, ''are you sick, or what
ails youp"
mo, mother" ne answered. I'm not
sick, and l cannot tell you what troubles
me -
Then he rose from the table, and put
ting on his hat, he started to the factory
where he worked He took up the tin
pail in which | always placed his lunch,
but he did it as if by habit; nor did he
stop to inquire, as was his custom, what
it contained.
felt worried all day. Some trouble
seemed hanging over us, but what it was
couldn't guess.
In the afternoon Maggie Bryan came in
to see me. She was very handy with her
needle, and the folks who lived in the big
house on yonder hill had sent for her to
do some sewing. She was returning. and
had called to tell me how kind the lady
had been to her, and how much pay she
had received for her work. Maggie saw
in moment that was not in good spir-
its, and so she ceased her pleasant prattle,
and asked, in a serious tone:
Has anything bad happened, Mrs. Ri
ley?-You seem sorrowful to-day"
Then spoke out boldly:
"You have quarreled with Jamie, have
you not, MaggieP"
NAY, nay, Mrs. Riley" she answered,
Il quarrel with Jamie! You know love
him dearly"
And then the sweet girl blushed at her
own confession.
You may guess that this knowledge did
MT ease my mind much. How could
account for Jamie's pale face and nervous
manner9
1t did not seem possible to me that the
lad could have done a wrong act, but l
couldn't forget how the bells seemed to
clang "Ja-mic Riley, Jamie Riley" and
when remembered the boys strange ac-
tions. an awful fear grew upon me.
NdSSiC tiico III Nstll u ulSCONtT WudL
disturbed me. She went away in little
time, but promised to call the next day,
: "for I'm afraid the feveris coming on you,"
she said, as she kissed me and babe me
! goodbye.
e After she had gone busted myself in
! getting ready the supper, for Jamie always
e enjoyed his supper; and what wonder.
that, with hard days work, an early
: breakfast and only a lunch at noon, he
should eat heartily at night. l baked some
: biscuit and kept them smoking hot. cooked
5 nice bit of meat, and boiled the potatoes,
r and then | got out a little dish of pre-
= serves and stepped the tea.
Just in the nick of time, as we say, and
when everything was ready, Jamie came
in. He looked more cheerful than he had
in the morning, and smiled and praised
the appearance of the table. But there
!, was look of firm resolute determination
in his face that had not seen there before.