Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-22
Gales and Sketthes.
MY VOCATION, AND WHAT CAME OF 1T.
CONCLUDED FROM YESTERDAY

SO one night | made my trial. How i
was brought about, no matter here. Help
ing hands for good or evil are alway.
ready if one but wills. -
All the dizzy lights burned into one as
crossed the platform All the noddine
heads became mass of terror indistin-
guishable My hands were ice. NV laws
were locked. The arm essayed to move
was held as if by iron weights.
When this chaos had slowly resolved it.
self into cold expectant faces could have
fallen. could have died there, but for
the eager panied eyes that met my own,
the worn face, whittier than mine, / knew
so well. l could not fail with John before
me! One swift thought of him, of Ben
ME, and my mouth was opened.
Then all the flush and warmth that |
had thought gone with my youth came
back to me. The faces before ME were as
clay. moulded them with my hands.
| breathed into them the breath of life.
A briefmoment and it was over-the hour
of intoxication and triumph. Followed
by the chairman of the lyceum committee.
waited upon by some of the dignitaries of
the town where had read, retired to the
ante-room. They were courtly, gracious
gentlemen, and when John with his dear
eager face all aglow stood in the doorway.
| noticed for the first time that he was
| bent about the shoulders-that he dressed
in an old-fashioned way.
''Ah, your father" exclaimed one of the
gentlemen who held my shawl. There
was something more than surprise in the
| stare that followed the words. 1t brought
all that was good in me to the surface. /
walked straight across the room and put
my hand into his arm They to Judge of
John ''lt is my husband gentlemen" l
said, as they fastened to congratulate him
upon my success.
"Well, john" when we had left them
and were on our way home. l was not
satisfied yet; desired that he should
praise me. "Did do we'll P"
ooh, very WELL" and though we were
out in the darkness | was sure he smiled
on me. felt it in his voice, but my van
ity still craved something more.
"Were you not surprised?"
"No; | always knew you could do any,
| thing you tried" 1t struck me that there
was an echo of sadness to his voice. How
could it be when was wild with excite
ment and delight!
'Do praise me, John. Tell me that /
was pretty to look at, that succeeded as
no other woman ever did," And then
astonished him by bursting into tears. We
were on the train going home. The lamps
over our heads had fiickered and gone
out. hid my face on his shoulder and
sobbed. There was taste as of ashes to
the apples had grasped.
| He soothed me. my good girl" he
said. remembered afterwards how,
when others turned my silly head with
praise of the beauty that came back te
me, with praise of my talents and success
| was to him 'My good girl who is trying
to help her husband" Faint praise,
thought sometimes. But l knew after
wards that it was the one anchor that helC
me, as it was the one reminder of what
had striven to do
or course my home was no longer now
my world; no longer first in my thoughts
even. | realized this with pang some
times. l saw John one day lingering the
leaves of the ivy that had made our par
lor so bright through all the long winters.
II had run in sort of revel over the win
dows. 1t had perched itself upon the top
of the pictures, and thrust its shoots out
| from every corner. 1t was dead now. l
had forgotten to tend it. l made as though
l did not see him when he touched it, and
when he had left the house tore it down.
| had no idea the room could look so bare
as it did when the grasp of the dead fin
gers was loosened.
And yet no one could say that neglect
ed my home, 1t was well kept and order
ly. Nothing was gone but the charm of
love, and that is-everything Suddenly,
too, realized that Bennie was six years
old. Almost a man, told him. So / did
not hold him in my arms, or tell him sto-
ries any more. Indeed, he did not ask il
after while; but when | walked the
floor and read aloud, as did every day
now, he would steal away into corner
with some old toy held tight in his little
hands, and stare out at me with wondering
| almost frightened eyes. 1t was John
who comforted him when he was hurt in
these days, into whose arms he crept when
the shadows fell at night, while I-oh,
won golden favors of the world.
w.
"Here is round of engagements for
you" 1t was the bristly-haired little man
presiding over that place of destiny, the
lyceum bureau, who spoke. had called
at the office by request.
"But where ?"
oH, w tst, tHt DcSt Htiu ioi IL HoNlCC.
! 1t is a six weeks tour
Six weeks i must think of it. ! must
talk it over with John.
The agent stood before desk, sharpen
ing pencil. He cut it carefully but
briskly to point while | pulled at the
glove in my hand, and did not speak.
Sorry to hasten your decision" in that
rasping tone so confusing to women un-
used to the sudden combinations and h,ssty
conclusions of business-"but there is a
lady in the next room who will take it if
you do not. You have only to sign your
name here,' designating the spot with his
finger.
''Let me think of it moment" He
shrugged his shoulders, but with Ger
tainly, madam" returned to his desk.
| was weary from my long walk. |
was trembling with nervous excitement.
For an instant everything in the room
seemed rushing by. put out my hand
and clutched the window-sill. l leaned
my head upon it and did not try to think.
ONLY to wait until the rOar--did n oor,a