Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-09-10

! 1asnioh. | WAS from That limo alNsy.
putting myself IN her place believe
never thought of him at first, but | i'm
asinsd WAS Lottic Hill; |. plain gray
goose tina, was.
Would you believe-that very even
ing father brought Ben to the house.
Nov yots are the one nesd,' he
said, smiling. showing such splendid
teeth. You had a child with you in =
sort of cradle
"'lt wasn't cradle spoke up poor
little Annie, eager to defend her fathers
taste. it's wagon, and daddy made it
| hsself; didn't you, daddy"
Papa smiled his tired smile, Ben fold
sd hi, arms, tilted back his char and
made himself quite at home, while !
hurried 10 help mother with the supper
Papa never seemed to think it Was any
matter that We were poor, when he iu-
vitod folks, but mother worried. was
always tender OF mother Someway
there was y feeling came 10 mo that she
wouldn't stay with us very long, and she
had worked hard all her life poor
mother! So made her sill down and
take the baby, though she didn't ant to,
for had been at il all day, washing. and
my hands were red and tender.
"Well. put on the company-cloth-l
was always proud of that-ws had two
handsome linen covers that my grand
mother lett us. Twasnt much We had
else 10 be sure. bui even Il bit of cold
corncd beet tastes good TO hard working
people. took my lew boarded pennies
and bought treat OF cakes. and could
not help being ashamed of the children.
who showed plain enough. poor things,
that they seldom had anything Of the
kind.
When supper was ready took the
baby, and waited upon table, too moth.
rr seldom had any rest except at her
meals. and that was always determined
she should have, and she knew ii.
"'Jsssy. dear. you're tired mother
said, putting her arms out to lake the
child, but | wouldn't let her.
"'JcssS's my darling girl, and the
mainsIay of the family, said father, look.
ing at mc ~ never saw him look le-
tore, That was enough Tor me don't
Know when he had spoken word Of
praise ike that before, and il was sweet.
er 10 me than meat and drink.
Let me see. was little over sixteen
then, though such tiny thing. Ben is
five years older, but never should have
taken him then for twenty-one.
II had never had oyer--,hat is,
real one. To bo sure | had had my fan.
cies, rs all girls have. and so it made me
feel strange TO see Bsn's eyes on me
whenever | looked up. tor, though | didn't
know it, TO bc sure till ailerward. he was
more to me even thon than my lle.
II never saw such y sensitive. passion
ate creature as always was. think
LiniV aud ,roublc have somewhat siited
me, but il loved any one or any thing,
it WAS rs if were swallowed up by it.
Even the thought that father or mother
might die sent me almost into spasms OF
trembling terror, So now the love got
hold oil me with strong clutch, though
didn't realize it ill siicrwmds All
TINT evening, and days beside. fclt the
haunting Of his looks. and still was sure
that he loved Lot,ie Hill. and she loved
him.
MANY Of the mill girls werc rude;
others were "a true ladies rs the world
holds One OF those was Mar. Law.
lo"''' ""' 'o''''''li''' came to our house.
'"s WI" lie often about Lottis-oi her
charms and her lovers. and how old
Vnssar. the proprietor Of the mill. had
sen, his son TO Europe for fear he would
marry her. But it's my opinion that
aow she likes Ben. and Ben her, she
added. They're often together; Eve
seen them down by the Lovers Walk my.
self. many time; won't they make n
splendid couple'
Then knew what allied me, and
what the dull pain meant at my heart.
Why did he come TO our house so often
What right had he to speak to me so
tender? began 10 feel strangely
towards Lotlie Hill, and cried angry
tears whenever l thought of her and Ben.
1t would have made me happy any time
to hear that she was dead. This feeling
grew stronger till it seemed rs if Lottle
and Ben were in my thoughts from morn
ing till night.
"At last the trouble affected nay health.
Mother saw how changed WAS, and l
think she suspected. She always sent
me away when Ben came, and / WAS too
proud to let her see | knew why. But
Ben was sure TO wait till came back, if
it was only to say good night; and that
in such tender sort of way that it sent
the blood 10 my face as if it would burst
through.
$50 went on suffering till father got
sick, and l was given his place at the
mill. There saw Lottie Hill every day,
and she tried to be friendly. bat, | am
ashamed to say, the sight OF her beautiful
face made me wicked aud spilelul. l
tried not TO feel so. | often laid my
head Oh my hand when / was working,
and begged and prayed the dear Lord to