The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-02-06

Il found she was married to anothe
tellar.'
"Did they think you dead?"
81 suppose so, as didn't send any dis
patch while l was gone. She was ricl
and happy. they said, and had goo,
husband-but the mother-in-law hadn'
yet pegged out. | couldn't help feeling
mean till I heard the last; but when
found she was Twin with 'em. didn'
make no more signs"
"But your children-you surely made
yourself known to Them ?"
mot as the roads are. There was onl,
one | cared for, my little Maggie, M
blue-eyed darlin' and | found where sh,
played in the park. and spoke to her on,
day. ! knowd her by her sunny hair
and she had little dog on the end of :
spun-yarn. She had the same prett,
WAYS, though she was alone, and I saw
to her. Good morning, little lady, 'Gooc
morning, SIR said she little timid like
for suppose | did look mighty rough.
What is your name, little ladvr Mag
gle, said she; and this is my dog, Pug.
Bless her heart. did want to clutch hel
to my heart and ask her to kiss me lust
"Why did't you?"
"Well thought I'd better not. asked
her where she lived. Over in the bis
house. says she. is your father ano
mother there p My father is dead il
California Mother and Emily have got {
new father, but | have not
I've been in California says I swallow
ING something like a loaf of bread in my
throat. You says my Daisy, and die
you see my father?' | have been ir
many tight box, young fellar, but thai
was the hardest deal ever had. No, my
little lady, says I, 'but are you happy
hereP Yes, SIR says she, as can bt
till | get to Heaven and see my father
Do You think he's waiting fer me there !?
4 hope so, darling; any rate he we'll be
Won't you kiss me lust once p the little
thing looked at me straight with hel
shiney eyes. You little girl may kis:
somebody from California some day.
Are you going back there?' Yes, little
lady. shall 90 Tomorrow Wait here
then a minute And she darted away
over to her house and disappeared in the
garden. In a second she was back, and
in her chubby hands were beautiful flowers
: violets, pinks and morning glores
''Will you take these with you and pu
them on my fathers grave, If you can fine
it ? He may be lonely there Yes
lassie,' says | almost broken, IN take
them with me syou wish And couldn't
help catching her in my arms and kissing
her hard and faster. And then with
out another word left her standing there
with a world of wonder in her eyes, anC
got my dunnage from the hotel, and back
I came again. Excuse me, must turr
them sheep Here Bruce ~
. The poor old man could hardly speak
and | waited till he came up to me again
''Do you see this ~
He took from his rough shirt a little
packet fastened round his neck by a cord
He unwrapped this and there lay a bunch
OF faded flowers.
II told the little lady I'd put them or
her fathers grave and I've worn them OF
my heart ever since.h
could not help the tears from yelling
up into my eyes. and on pretense of filling
my pipe, slipped away until could com
mand my voice.
But what have you been doing since
you came back ?"
"MoSt anything. | was fireman in the
city for Years. 1t was exciting like, and
they was good set of boys, was the
Knickerbockers, and we had little lady
in our company which always set me {
thinking of my Maggie, though in looks
she wasn't But Just the same ways anC
actions, and | believe every man in the
company would have died for her | got
to he foreman once, and our life seemed
to be as good as any Rattling to fires,
pullin' up ladders, tightin' fire and smoke,
gon' to tunerals-take it all, we enjoyed
life. and tho't as how | should die in thai
business and that the boys would string
along with hand arter my bones some
day; but it wasn't to be. There amt nc
parades, nor nothing, and the city is toe
dull for me since they disbanded and pu
out fire by machinery. Homeopathic
nonsense, says | putting out fire with fire
and | never believed in these new tangled
notions. Dye see this 50 on my hand
That led me to join the company. It has
puzzled many Il fellow, but it's only what
we did at school. There was five of us
that used to 90 tor apples and MELONS and
such, and we was all numbered. You've
had my story, young fellow, and l an
glad to see you. The sun is coming
through the clouds, and if you want te
reach Bear Creek tonight, you must be-
starting. you ever come up here again
see me. Good bye"
We shook hands, and | left him follow
ing his sheep. Our horses were soon
ready, and bidding adieu to our kind hosts
we cantered southward, and my old friend
Five waved his hand as a last farewell.