Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-05-25
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tents heart has been sot on him for long
time. She looks so happy now with one
arm in sling, that one would suppose if
t'other was broke too she'd be in the |
seventh heaven. Sakes alive thought |
o couple of hours ago we was more likely |
to have funeral in the family this thanks |
giving than wedding. Things do take
the queerest turns and here I've been doc
toring Content for month back with
boneset and camomile tea, and after all
there was nothing the matter but George
Baker; mistrusted she favored him, but
law nowadays you never can tell wheth-
er it's girls liver or girls heart that's
Affected
'~Taint as it used to be in our time,
Polly, said Uncle John, twirling bis big
thumbs in the fire-light "a young man
knew then how to court girl without
shooting her But times have changed. |
Even thanksgiving don't seem as it used
tor
Law young folks can pop the ques-
ton as handy as they ever could, said
Aunt Kesiah, who was plump and merry.
II know when you asked me to have you
five-and-twenty years ago, John, you made
a dreadful piece of work. l thought you
would never stammer it out. You are
growing an old fogy, John; that's the
reason you think thanksgiving is anything
but what it used to be-"
George Baker heard the merry voice in
the keeping-room laughing at Uncle John.
And Content watched him stealthily as he
stirred the fire, and sent a shower of
sparks, like rudy stars, up the chimney.
What did you think, Content, when l
left you last SUMMER said he at last.
Contents heart beat thick and the sound
seemed to fill her ears, and just then the
freight fell and left her in shadow.
Il thought you had grown tired of me-"
she said family, ''or liked Jane Shaw or
Mary Davenport better perhaps" and then
her voice faded quite out. But Georges
came in to fill the silence, strong, impas-
stoned, and true. 1t thrilled Content to the
very centre Of her being
81 left you because loved you," he
said. II thought was too poor to marry
with only an education. my head and
hands to make way in life. would moi
hamper you with a promise. I hoped
your liking for me had not gone far enough
liberately, though it Almost broke my heart
Ever since have been wretched; and TO-
day took my gun, and came into the
woods just to look down from the hill at
the house that held you, and after you
were hurt, and l. filled wtlrremorse, took
you in my arms, with your heart fluttering
against mine like a wounded dove. l felt
that you loved me, that we belonged to
each other, and | vowed that neither pov-
erty, pain, OF death itself should keep us
apart Content, will work for you like
your very hearts slave
ooh, George, do you think l care, cried
Content. 81 am selfish girl, love my
ease but l would sooner live with you in
hut than with anybody else in a palace.
The shadows fiickered and mixed so
with the freight. the two figures seemed
shut into one and the young girls fair
pure face was suddenly eclipsed
George" said she at last, 81 will tell
you the reason | went to the woods this
afternoon. ! was unhappy and almost
desperate ! felt hard and wicked. 1t
seemed to me. ii | must always be sep
arated from yop. doomed to grow old and
wither up alone, there was nothing on
earth to be grateful for. Thanksgiving
was kind of mockery. | was sick and
tired of everything, and when | overheard
my mother engaging the parson to talk
and pray with me, grew desperate and
thought l would run away; and so slip
ped out Of the back door and ran up the
hill, not caring where went"
Dear little heart" said George, with
the tears rushing into his eyes, big fellow
as he was; Il ought to be terribly pun
ished for making you suffer so.'
Don't speak OF that George, said Con-
tent softly. 1--WE will never think of it
again. Why, ] am now beginning to
realize how dreadful it was for me, a
strong, healthy girl, to feel SO rcbellious
and ungrateful. Now my arm is wound
ed, and am oh, so happy. l think l
ought always to wear it in sling in mem
DRY Of this eventful day. l can't believe
am the same girl was few hours ago.
when God himself seemed unkind. Now
my heart sings like robin. | can praise
the dear Lord for all His goodness. Love
makes the true Thanksgiving. don't it
George? 1t softens the world, and gives
us little child's heart, and brings the
Lord and His angels very near. DO you
know, dear, have a fancyithat | should
like to have everybody. all the world over.
call this Contents Thanksgiving = Golden