Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-17
David concluded to make his way

ously from hot and laundering sky,
but the white-house was just in sight,
and he made bee-line for it. The
shower increased to flood, but there
was no shelter midway, and he hurried
on.
AT the gate of the mansion stood a
gig, from which a stout lady was at
that moment descending, obviously
tucking up her raiment and preparing
to make a run for the house, she eyed
sharply the stranger standing there
under the dripping umbrella.
Mr.. David held open the gate.
Jane" he said stepping forward and
Offering the shelter of the umbrella.
1--we been eight years coming, but
have just arrived in time, you see."
"La" said the lady, starting back.
She still retained the sharp, incisive
voice he remembered, surviving over
all these years. though the former Jane
had vanished utterly, crowded out by
a matronly figure in flowing skirts.
David's brown. bearded face bore q
hoyish smile as he spoke, and perhaps
that helped Mrs. Johnson's memory
She had to accept the umbrella, and
consequently the escort; but she hesi-
tated at the doorway, looked down at
David's boots, and wiped her own
significantly as she glanced at the
blazing Brussels that ornamented her
parlor.
Mr.. David repeated the process pa
tiently; she could not help asking him
in. Jane was pious and patronizing-
a well-to-do woman. David had been
a troublesome lad, TO be sure but then
one must let some things pass.
He staid till the shower was over.
and the Squire came ina plain little
man in gold spcc,acles-who said,
eheeriully, when supper was announc-
ed.
Come along in. do, NJ. Durham,
and take dish of tea
The only fault, Jane often declared,
that's he had to find with Johnson, was,
that he wasn't particular in choosing
his company.
"And where's Miss Simmons:' he
asked, as he slipped his tea.
''Gonc over to the Dobson's, and |
suppose got caught in the shower"
After supper the two men smoked n
pipe together and talked of crops, the
weather, and business in general. Jane
was no fool, as she often observed. She
gathered that David was part owner
of q ship-yard, and had built some tidy
crafts himself Another time she
would not be so particular about the
door-mat
In the midst of the talk and smoke,
Miss Simmons came floating in, in a
futter of muslin and ribbons, breath
less, bright, and coquettish. II just
! run ever between the drops," said she,
-haying out her curls with jcweiieo
! fingers.
Miss Summons was a pretty girl
from the city. She had wit, she had
wealth, it was said, and she was quite
a belle. She played, and sung, she
chartered brightly. She smiled on Mr.
David, and ratified oil his favorite old
tunes. 1t was new 10 him to have any
one to shine especially for him, sparkle
and warble and plume themselves for
him. Miss Simmons clear voice and
high-keyed notes, her tall and graceful
figure, her noiseless, easy movements,
charmed him. "A splendid girl he
said to himself; land how smooth her
skin is, whereas llannah-"Hannah
was pock-marked.
Hannah lie steaded his voice and
said. ''lIow is Hannah As if the whole
party had been making allusion to her
Sister Jane colored up. Don't you
talk TO me about Hannah"' she said.
And they didn't talk. At that mo-
ment Miss Simmons struck up q bril-
liant bravura on the piano. and when
it ended, like shower of skv-rockets.
Mr.. David Dunham took his leave.
The next day he hung about the
village, dropping in on one or another
old acquaintance. Finally he stumbled
into the brimming household where
Bctsey presided. Betsey had settled
in life. as the sexton said-settled like
a building on illmade ground. She
had been trim, she had been sharp,
a model woman, with flavor of crab.
apple about her: she had grown slip
shod and vinegarish. A devoted
mother was Mrs. Betsey Jones, rs Jane
had piously intimated. querulously
satisfied that she, at least, was doing
her duty, and looking out rainily on
the rest of the world, expecting it to
share her burdens.
IL never go anywhere, never!" she
said, ''or | might have known you
were in town. Dear, dear, to think
how time does go Jim"-turning to
the eldest, barefoot, sunburned lad
81 thought you was to run errands for
your aunt Hannah this afternoon. It's
the only thing to keep 'em out of my
way" she added, "and the least Han
nah can do"
"Where is Hannah?' asked Mr..
David at last. ia! don't you know?
Well, to be sure! Why, Hannah al
ways was odd, you know. Jane offer
ed her a good home, and I am sure
had no end of work for her but She 8
dreadfally set, is Hannah, and she's"
"Married?"
"Bless you, mol There's no chance
for Hannah now, since she refused
Jasper Hendricks; and Jane is mortal
| ly offended with her."
"Why" queried the listener i'm
patiently.
"Why, she's keeping shop down in
the village"
~ guess I'll take turn down and
see her." said Mr.. David, abruptly, as
Jim sped out Of the door, followed by
troop of smaller fry.
"Here you, Tim and Joe, come
back p cried the mother. ''Hannall's e
'mazin. particular and techy, and don't
} like 70 see so many on 'em round bare