Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-27
NO. BOG.

EEucst 1AutudWhy StTOihuE up IAC USSSA
came suddenly npon Abram and his lit
tie Blossom" costly sheltered beneath the
old boat.
Good mornin', sir, you're out early"
and Abram rose slowly.
Don't get up; may MT join you? This
is such shady nook in all this blaze OF
sunshine 4.ad@9G
'"Come an welcome, sir, ef you're will
ing to take the sand for cheer; we amt
got much furniture in our house, hev we,
Blossom ?"
And Blossom smiled shyly, pushing
away some sea-weed to make place for
the young artist.
"Do you come here often ?" he asked as
he threw himself on the sand.
"aLws, yes. sir, Blossom an me, we
comes here most days that's fine, we
couldn't do without the old boat, could
we, Blossom ?'
And Blossom laughs and shakes her
head, then turns her eyes once more to
the shimmering water. Ernest Hathaway
follows her gaze, and the beautiful light
strikes through and through his delicate
appreciative face. "What perfect morn
ing this is = nothing left to wish for
Its just that, sir, perfect, as you say.
do, but if any one of us had made this
mornin', sir, we'd ha' left out somethin'
Mebbe it would ha' been the wind and the
sparkle like it makes on the water. mebbe
it would ha' been only the gulls, but any
way it would mt ha' been perfect; ittakes
God do that"
They were all silent few moments and
then the stranger turned TO Abram. Il
almost forgot my errand, which was to
ask you to take me oil somewhere in your
boat, where can get view of the coast
with this sparkling sea in front; you can
fish while you wait for me, you know"
"Well, sir," the old man answered slow
uncivil l hope, but hadn't you oughter
there, an he's only just started; the fish
ms poor this year, an young Ben he wants
it more'n me, an so you see, sir, Id rath-
er not"
VERY well. if you would rather not. of
course | won't urge you, bnt where's
young Ben thought"
IN find him, sir" and Abram hurried
off well pleased with his success.
Ernest Hathaway now set himself de-
terminedly to overcome the shyness ofhis
companion, and had so far succeeded that
they were talking quite gayly before
Abrams return. -N
"There's Uncle Abram now, and Aunt
Martha wants me. must go"
Ernest held out his hand. Must you
Then goodbye" s0
She understood his hesitation-''My
name is Alice; haven't any other; good
bye"
"IIere he is, sir" and Abram came up
with young Ben'-an enlarged edition
of his father-in This wake. 'Hc II do rs
well for you as any one, I'm sure. an he's
got tidy boat of his own, SIR"
Perhaps I'll find out something about
that enchanting little sprite from this
young giant" thought Ernest Hathaway,
as he settled himself in the stern opposite
the shining delight embodied in the coun-
tenance OF young Ben. And he was not
disappointed; he soon learned all Alice's
history, as far as it was known; and now
not day passed that he did not find some
excuse for visiting Abrams cottage. Now
it was some rare shell which he had found,
some sketch he wanted to show Alice
then some information which only Abram
could give him. 1t was the old, old story
he had
And half the sphere to give her meeting"
Days heightened into weeks, and one
night when the stars were coming out one
by one over the tranquil sea, he told her
OF the home that would be so lonely if she
did not come to share it. Shy, sweet eyes
were turned away as he pleaded; but in
the blush that came and went upon her
cheek he read his answer; and Abram,
waiting for her coming. wondered why
his Blossom S eyes were wet with tears
and her voice so TREMENDOUSLY happy as she
said "good-night.' .
"Uncle Abram, come out on the beach
with me awhile; it's so warm this morn
ing" and Alice led him-a willing prison.
er-t0 their favOrite nook behind the boat,
which, though older and Trailer far than
when she sat there years ago, happy
child, was still strong enough to shelter
them from sun and wind.
"Well Blossom, what now?"
"Tell me how you found me, Uncle
Abramp" tH
And over again he told her OF the sud-
den squall the line of. foam breaking
over the low rocks, on one of which, in
the rain and the storm, he found her. II
was lonely then. my little Blossom" he
added fondly, land you came to me like
Gods blessed sunshine on wintry iay."
She slipped her hand into his. and he
pressed it gently.
"And my father was drowned, too P"
Eyes, dear, we never heard nOthin' of
none Of 'em"
Poor Papa" and the girls face sad
dened. Then she looked out into the
brightness and the sunshine, and her eyes
grew soft and tender, and the sweet mouth
smiled little. The gulls were screaming
and chatterng on the rocks. The splash
of the little waves came family up the
beach. Two fisher boats were rocking
gently on the shifting waters. A long
way up the reach of sand there was some
one coming.
Abram looked wistfully at her. He could
not understand these moods that came so
often now upon his ''little Blossom" Alas!
he had no part in her musings; she started
when he spoke to her.
"What mought you he thinkin' of, Bios
som? Won't you tell Uncle Abramp"
And then, with her face hidden on his
shoulder, she told him how she had prom.
isaI f, all ha ...l