Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-20

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.


branch train cared to brave it. The little
waiting room was full, and the flame from
the fire frightened the room better and
shone out upon the bleak fields around with
more cheerful glow than the blaze ofthe
gas, which the porter had just lighted. Af-
ter he had done this, he banged his arms
across his chest, and then he, too, went
into his room in company with number
of lamps and other railway appurtenances,
of which he took no heed, and drawing a
song-book from his pocket, at once became
absorbed in its perusal.
There was one exception only to those
who sought shelter from the cutting wind,
five-and-twenty years of age, who, spite of
the chilly evening, walked thoughtfully
and slowly up and down the long bare
platform. lie was tall, healthy y-looking
young fellow, clad in a rough pilot coat,
a low-crowned felt hat. and he had an air,
altogether, as of workman, or-although
to many minds the comparison will con-
vey, very needlessly, unfavorable ideas
an omnibus conductor. No pretensions,
then, to the character of ''swell" had
this, our first actor, and no one who watch
ed him, as several from the waiting-room
"Ahuo" WHICH,, Wculu
have taken him for a gentleman. In due
time the branch train drew up to the plat
form, and the young man took his seat,
with others, in q second-class carriage.
He preserved the same grave, almost sui
len taciturnity which had previously char
acterized him, and on arriving at the little
town which formed the terminus of the
branch, strobe away, without exchanging
mora than nod with caroro1 ,1arco,,S ,xrL =,
recognized and greeted him.
|. In few minutes he had reached the
further side of the town, where some
country, all beyond being void and black
indeed, but for one or two feeble lights
shining from the little windows, it was
black enough where he stood. He stopped
at gate which opened upon the road, and
hesitated a few minutes ere he entered the
garden at last the gate swung back, and
he passed through. Instead of knocking
at the door, he went softly to the window,
and, although the blind was down, tried to
catch a glimpse of the interior of the room,
at the sides of the easement. In this he
was foiled; and from that, or some other
cause, a heavy frown was on his face,
which was indeed a hard, plain sort offace,
not adapted TO carry stern expression.
AS he stood there, a step was heard in the
road; at the noise he turned quickly round
and then the little gate creaked again
There was only just light enough to see a
female figure enter the garden, although
to the new conner the young man was dis
tinctly visible, standing as he did just be-
fore the lighted window.
''Is that you, Alice ar he said in a low
tone.
"Yes, Paul, DEAR replied very pleas
ing voice. II hurried round to the sta
ton after had been to the Crown but
l found the train had come i'm
AS she finished, the young man put his
arm tenderly around her and kissed her.
The girl sighed us he did SO, as though the
act had seemed, in the place of speech to
convey some sad intelligence; and then,
lifting a primitive latch she opened the
house door, and they entered. Without
the intervention of any passage or lobby,
they stepped into small square room.
brick tloored, and walls covered with the
commonest paper-evidently poor room,
but very clean and trim; Il large Cld-fash-
ioned eight-day clock the only article most
approaching to luxury in it; a few COM
mon china figures on the mantle-piece,
and few prints, We're, excepting row of
hower-pots, its only ornaments. At a deal
table woman, about fifty years of age,
was ironing, and the piles of white newly
ironed articles of apparel which lay near
her showed she was ironing for profit. She
was so like the girl who had entered, that
a stranger need hardly have waited for the
latter to call her "mother" to guess their
relationship.
"Well, Mrs Purley, said the youg man
II am here, as l said l should be-"
Il see you are, Paul." said the ironer,
pausing to take the offered hand; "and
never thought, l am sure, l should be sorry
to see YOU"
ut is all over, then P" asked the girl,
who had looked wistfully from one to the
other.
"Yes, Alice,n replied the young man,
seating himself, and placing his hat on the
dresser beside him, sits all over with me
and the firm. am dismissed; and don't
think the character they would give me
would do me much good"
The girl made no further remark, but
hustled about, while she emptied from
basket some small packets of groceries
which she had brought in; she then made
up the collars cuffs &C., which were just
lroned, into parcels, to go away; but tear
after tear ran slowly down her cheeks
while her face was from her sweetheart,
who went ON to tell them more fully the
incidents they had already heard by letter.
His story, however, was very brief, SIM
pie and commonplace, as nearly all the
real trials and even agonies OF life are
when we come to put them into words
All were very poor. very poor. Alice and
her mother supported themselves by laun-
dry-work and ironing. Paul Hyles had
been Alice's sweetheart for years, and she
was ready to marry him whenever he asked
her, as he knew well enough. Her mother
counselled a little delay, until Paul could
prepare home at least as good as her own
to take her to but in that poor part of the
country, where laborers eompetedfor work
at nine shilling week, even that was diff
ficult, for Paul was Of no particular trade
The vicar of the town had taken notice of
the stalwart young fellow, and of his pref
ty sweetheart, the latter indeed having,
special friends in the half dozen daughters
OF the good clergyman. Through the
wears influence Paul obtained place as
bo la,rvx III L~atL