Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-14

THE BEST BEDROOM.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY.

She was dressing by this time, anxious
to see how her painting of the last day
was drying; and as soon as she was ready,
having scrupulously read psalm and en-.
gagged in prayer, she fastened to her best
, bedroom, opened the door solemnly, and
entered with a careful step.
IL would be impossible to describe Mrs.
Burton's first emotions. Marshall, who
had lain down again, lifted himself up
upon hearing the door opened, and met
her horrified gaze with one equally aghast
Neither of them could speak for minute
or two; and then she saw him slowly drag
himself out of the white linen, and stand
trembling before her, the most abject.
Wretched creature she ever remembered
10 have seen.
II don't know how ever came to be
here" he said; 81 know no more than
this bed post; but am ah honest man,
Missls am, for certain. don't mean
no harm.'
Harm gasped Mrs. Burton, who had
not yet recovered her speech.
II wish I wasn't here, do" he con-
tinued. II didn't mean to do it, I'm sure.
Please to forgive me, Missis, and I'll ney-
er do it again as long as live.n
"Why.' cried Mrs. Burton, ..when did
you get in here?"
IL was very drunk last night" he stam-
mered, land | must have turned in unbe-
knownst to myself"
Drunk she exclaimed, "a drunken
vagabond in my best bed What shall
do? can never fancy it again. But you
must go to Jail for this, promise you.
Martha, Martha run for the police
''Oh, no, no, no. cried Marshall; "for-
give me this once. I've a poor wife and
family at home. If you send me to Jail
they must go to the poor house. and we
| shall be ruined
81 cannot forgive you," said Mrs Bur-
ton, with tears in her eyes; ''you must go
to Jail for it, or shan't have moments
peace. No, no, don't speak, you drunken
brute, you. What can do? What can
do ?'
"Well," he answered, desparingly, ''if
go to jail for it, | suppose Godll see me
there, too
The heart of Mrs Burton always echoed
i to that name, and her conscience smote
her. She looked steadily at her strange
guest, and followed the direction of his
eyes, which were turned upon the text on
the wall.
"Thou, God, seest me- she read half
aloud and involuntarily.
"ls that true ?' asked the man.
Yes" she answered; and her con-
science reproached her again.
''Is the other true ?" he asked point
! ing TO the second text
''Oh yes, that is true," she said warmly
Il wish | could believe themr' cried
| Marshal. care they both true for me 81
God is love. He sees and loves us all
he sees and loves me; he sees and loves
| tIot
| Its very hard, verv hard indeed, for me to
see my best room like that.-Yes, it is.
He knows it'svery hard, very hard. can
never fancy il again. But / won't send
for the police. You may go away now
| With very abject look, Marshall skunk
down stairs, and out into the street. He
did no; care to 90 home. but he wandered
off into the meadows, where the dew was
sparkling on the grass. He could not get
his adventure out of his head though when
ever he thought of himself as he appeared
in the large looking glass, he felt a desire
! 10 creep away from the miserable, grimv
creature he had become
| 10 think that Gods eye dwelt upon him
was almost insupportable, but whenever
his thoughts grew too terrible for him. the
other words came back to his burdened
mind, The calm. decent old lady, whose
| house he had made so vile, had told him
| they were true. He did not try to put
them away from him. and the two verses
passed Though and through his mind.
Ii was soon after midday that Marshall
presented himself at Mrs. Burton's door,
with Il paint pot in his hand
Martina answered his hesitating knock,
and opened the door wider for him to
enter.
You're the painter, suppose ?" she
said
"Ay!" he replied.
"And sadly you're wanted" she con-
tinued There are iinger-marks every
where-doorposts, chimney-pieces, and
lots of place. To think of such a thing
Missis is almost crazy ~
| Marsh, Il said nothing, but taking off his
boots at the foot of the stairs, followed
| Martha meekly. Mrs. Burton sat in the
middle OF the room, picture of dismay
and grief. She uttered a little scream
when she saw him enter.
please, ma'am,n he said. I'm paint
er by trade, and will do my very utmost
to make it all sweet and clean again. I'm
very miserable, ma am. I'll do ANYTHING
to make You amends
"1ou canuot make me amends" an.
swered Mrs. Burton
But yon'il forgive me. won't YOU
maam? And you'll let me paint out my
MAJ ks? ?" said Marshall. in an earnest tone.
Il can hardly forgive you," she an
swered; "but | suppose l must. Yes;
know must. Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against
us. Yes; | must. | forgive you"
"And you'll let me paint out my marks ?"
he pursued
Mrs. Burton only nodded her head in
answer, and Marshall proceeded. with a
most careful touch, to eiface all the marks
of his grimy fingers. He felt very sad
and humble. and he often looked up to the
verses upon the walls.
1--WE finished ma am he said at last.
''but | shall never forget this. And |
shall never forget those words, Thou,
God seest me- God is love-
He went home, but the words went with
him, in his heart and in his mind
Poor Mrs. Burton. as soon ne Sha co,lJ