The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-07-19
A WOMAN'S COURAGE.

The blood-red light Of sunset was mir
roring itself in crimson splashes in the
turbid tides of the great Western river
the blackbird was sounding its sweet
whistle through, the old primeval forests;
and Jonathan Beers, sitting by his cabin
door, smoked, his solitary evening pipe,
and thought vaguely OF the church bells
that used to ring at evening time in the
far-off Eastern village where he had been
born and brought up, with the roar OF
Penobscot Bay in his ears.
'rd like to hear them bells once again
afore l die,'' smused. 81 old Jonathan.
Even while these disjOinted medtatiOns
passeu through his mind there was q
light step on the cabin threshold, and the
rustic of stitfly starched pink calico, and
his niece Dorothy came to the door.
TEAS ready, uncle dear,'' said she.
"And I've baked real New England corn
bread, and some ginger-snaps, such as
grandmamma used to make. And see,
uncle, I've sliced up the little red peaches
from the tree YOU planted yourself On the
south side of the hill. Israel Esmayne
said it Wouldn't grow, but it has. mean
to keep saucerful and little cream for
Israel to-night, jus. TO show him. "
Old Jonathan laid down his knife and
fork.
DO YOU mean that Israel Esmayne is
coming here o-night!'
Yes. uncle,'' said Dorothy, DOING
to recover teaspoon she had dropped "a
slim teaspoon with an antique silver shell
carved on its handle-and coming up very
ROSY from the search. "Why not!
s:Take care, Dotty. That's ally
"Jncle. what do you mean!"
81 mean. child, that I'd rather lay you
in your grave in the new wburying-ground,
where there's only one mound yet in the
shadow of the church spire, than to see
YOU married to a man who drinks. That's
what mean. Dottyv -
Dorothv's head drcoped over her plate.
ssUncle, that is hardly fair. Because q
man had bad habit once
g md has it noao!''
flash.
"You are mistaken, uncle. lsraei rs.
mayne has not touched crop ol Auen
spirits in year. he ~ mas pron'eeo "e
never to touch it again. >, o:s
Jonathan Beers, although his tone be
traved no yery sanguine feeling. "Buti
ANITA safe thing to do. It's Madness 8
love of liquor is, and nothing short. IT,
Esmavne's good fellow enough. hahn
anvthino aoin him-but it amt safer
al 6orolhv was silent. Why was it, sh
asked herself, that men were so st s!
we're in Judging one another? Why dl
thew always look at the blackest and leas
promising side of every rything? lsraei ma
promised her. She believed MN. An
that was enough.
And while he tripped lightly back an
forth about her household du1ies, ne
mind was full of the undetlned iuIule
She could see herself, shadowy anu unue
fined as in a mirror, moving auouS
bright little home where flowers ploome saa
clock licked. s.He is coming! he is con
5One of these daysr said Dorothy
herself. as she put away the saucer !.
peaches and the little pitcher OF tnlc
cream on a Whitley secured pantry she
-'' one of these days - a.
She was thinking of the future: An y,
old Jonathan, smoking his plpe' was ~
ing in the past.
you've somethin' to do with the raj
road. stranger; haven't you! =
81 reckon have" said Israel Esmayn
na;ffarontlv- ..rm switchman."
"It don't take up much Of your time,
guess?" 14o. ;,s+ :,
same, thought said the tai westerly ers -
as he lifted the last monster log from q I;
cart he was unloading to the thrifty p'
at the north end of his house.
what time does the way tralh Gull
by?"
AT nine o'clock ,.ouo
"Do You suppose corld go to Melte .hn,
Vile and see the lumber dealers ~ .nI, 81
and get back to the station again ny III
time?''
Israel looked reflectively at the Gun
shore of the river. ts.4
.Well, you might" said he ''but
would be a pretty tight squeeze"
I'm good walker said the strange Z :
and as he spoke he drew pocket ma
from his pocket, uncorked it VIII with na3
teeth, and drank a copious draugl
Israel Esmayne watched him with eag'