Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-10


jolly lots of lickings ut school, aint you
glad, mother? because you know he
bumped the no, bumped the baby, but
didn't go to. say, Johnny, know
where there's lots o berries; ten thous'
and million acres Of 'cm; and they're all
turning black Well pick n bushel; say.
mother, mayn't we go?"
Yes. To Jericho ~ said Hannah. very
unwiscy, very Grossly; but then The
poor soul had been in anguish ever since
morning. with one dominating, dreadful
thought, and hardly knew what she did
say.
The boys stole off more quietly for
sDmething in her eyes scared them. rhcy
talked outside. IA children will, the talk
that is seldom heard by parents; it might
be better ii it were.
Haven't We got a regular cr2ss moth
er?' qucried Ned. "Shc don't laugh
like Danny Junkius' mother, wish had
his mother; I'd be awful good"
81 don't know, " replied more thought
lul Johnny; "she kisses us when we 20
To bed
Pooh what's kisses. when fellow
gets any quantity of siaps fo' one kiss.
Mind, when I'm grown up. I'm going to
run away the first chance; I'll make her
cry; she makes me-
"What are you going to do about ia
ther ~
Well after n long pause, Ned added.
1--we don't sec much of him." and then
came y squirrel in sight, down went the
baskets.
Hannah, at home was getting picked
mp dinner. There was corned beef in the
house and good bread and sweet butler
John would have such things OF the best.
but then his bill at tho grocer's was enor
nous. and Hannah had been wondering
with heavy heart how they were going
to pay ii that month.
The woman was go3d housewife.
even in her encouragement. II was II
sort of religion with her to keep her table
Spollessly white. Il ough to be sort
OF religion IN every household. fami
ly accustomed to stained napkins and un
tidy tablc-lincn can hardly turn out ladies'
aud gentlemen
Nothing could look prcitior than Han
uah'S dinner The beet laid in slices on
- snowy plate. and even beef can look
p0eIical. with its soft colors when dainti
ly dressed Everything was quite ready,
and Hannah sat by the door, playing
moodly with her beautiful baby, when
sight met her eyes that turned them 10
stone again.
1t vas u beautiful view from llc door
OF The kitchon-a view of winding roads,
Il silvcty thread of water, field in which
the COWS stood deep in the grass OF the
morning or gathered wisely under the
spreading branchc. oi = century old APP
pie Tree that grew ripe pippin, especially
iol the children; ils Iuge.hcartrd oHncr
So dccIeeing, la the distance stood
red farm house, with foreign ait ABOUT
il that was due 10 lis propricto.. who
was an Englisbman with Amer lean pro
cliviiies. and had unconsciously given
the gable ROOT. the grounds and the nr.
chard nn English twist he said. himself,
wLich was mol unattraciivc. The mans
name was Bright, and he had one daugh-
ter, who had left her native land when
she was too young TO remember its green
hedgerows. The daughter reoiccd in
the-,o mc-prelly, old fashioned name
Of Bessie.
Bessie was beautiful, and almost un.
consciously So She wore the crown of
her loveliness with SO tender II modesty,
that people seldom plid her compliments.
IL seemed So natural 10 her, This clear,
white skin, and peach blossom color OF
cheek and lip,
And this WAS the vision that distressed
and dishcartened poor, troubled Hannah
She sat watching the little figure of the
girl with tghtencd lips. and swift coming
breath. dare not say it was hatred that
stir ed the warm bosom, because hatred
is akin to murder, and it is hard TO think
SO harshly OF woman who had been
the loving vile ard mother Hannah had,
but some way, the woman had to strug-
gle with fierce thoughts and heart that
she considered outraged
As for timid. pretty Bessie. blowing
he dry dust with substantial shoes, she
had tried her very best to get acquainted
with Hannah She admired her very
much, and wanted 10 be friends with the
two sturdy, handsome rogues OF boys,
and that angelic baby" as she raptur.
ouSly called it. But Mrs. Wells was such
a strange woman!
"She has such beautiful eyes, too
only. some way, she frightens me with
them. can fancy maniac having just
such eyes," she said to her mother, one
day.
Il suppose that it runs in the family"
responded broad.faced Mrs. Bright
"What luns in the familyp"
why, her brother-hark! there's your
father calling you, Bessie; he's got his
hands full with the bees, 60 quick"
And Bessie ran off her curiosity un-
satisfied till evening, when her mother