Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-20
rer cres once ir,sre

..Bless us. Hhfsnt Sam Averill, nose
and all I" she saia helding up her hands.
From twent9 - City is but. as watch
in the night. - 1he.years are past and
II is only wheSs H35 lady mods triumph
antly at you fl6|G ~ looking-glass, say
ing. "Here ~, my dear" or when
children that VI 80 nursed in your arms
come around ~ ke rights and duties OF
full.grown men and women, that you re-
member one is 10 longer young at NIFTY.
But the sight ofSam Averill's gray hairs
and wrinkles wAse rs good as a looking
glass to remiuA nunt Augusta
..Sit down, Sam said she, land let me
look at YOU. 1T seems like the real old
: irnes 10 zee you once more. You look
.yscnderftil natural. but dear me, how you
have changed You've grown old as
well rs myself -,
But Mr.. Averill was not to he diverted
bv any side issues.
sAn9usta,n said he, earnestly, II made
a serious mistake once. 1t was not Il mis-
take about NV own mind, however; that
remains the same as It always was. Every
woman, I've ever seen seemed like tai
low candle beside the sun when think OF
you. / have made my fortune, and all
want now is you TO come and share II
with me. 1t is you, or nobody. Just us it
always was"
Maybe aunt Augusta s heart throbbsd Il
little with the old yearning toward the
love Of her youth, but she shook her bead
with unhesilating decision, as she put out
her hand TO stir the cradle where her
Youngest grandchild lay asleep.
III can never be, Sam" said she. II
won't deny that it was all u mistake my
marrying Stanton. He didn't turn out to
be the n,aa I took hinl,for. He proved
contrary, and ornery, and beside he wrote
letters in disguise. But that Is all over
and past, and can't be undone. And now
Z 1 ami in the midst of my children with my
grandchildren growing up about me, and
I am in my right place. l shouldn't be
contented to leave everything and 60 Oft
TO d new county to begin the world over
again, as it were, ! am too old an oak TO
be transplanted.
Well, after that Mr.. Ayerill might have
talked till he was at the age OF Methuse-
lab. Aunt Augusta had made up. her
mind, and an earthquake couldn't shake
it.
So Mr.. Ayelill again went away alone.
..Well, Amelia, Augusta wouldn't have
upon mother and me rs we eat at supper
few evenings after, "not a word.
II want to know if that is SOL cried
mother. futtering up another plate and
knife. LAY your overcoat right off and
sit by and have cup of tea with us. Ati-
gusta always was decided, and you couldn't
turn her after she got her mind fixed.
She wouldn't keep yon waiting long Tor
your answer, either. Well, it Is likely II
Is for the best; we will hope So" pursued
mother. reaching over to put an extra
lump Of sugar in Mr.. Averills cup. as
though to sweeten life for him.
at serves me right in taking it ioi
granted that Augusta understood my in
ientions. must have been self-conceit,
ed. inconsiderate fool. But it seems hard
that body can't work his way out OF
blunder in q whole lifetime"
Mother locked full of sympathy, and
dropped another lump OF sugar in Mr.
Avefill's cup. To my establishment he
seemed to relish it the better, as If life
were growing sweeter and sweeter.
Mother and Mr.. Averill sat up late that
night, so late that AS had hard day.
went off ard left them talking over old
times and purring like couple OF cats by
the kitchen fire.
After breakfast the next morning, moth
err followed me into the hall when started
for the Office.
Il want to speak with you, EIwell just
minute said she, stroking my coat
sleeve. TREMENDOUSLY. 'What should you
say to my going back to California along
with Mr.. Averill ?"
.You, mother!" cried. feeling as
though the world had tumbled off its axis.
why, it is Aunt Augusta he wants. lis
Augusta or nobody"
Yes, so 1t was" returned mother,
humbly. "but Sam says seem more like
Augusta, as she used to be, than she does
herself. To tell you the truth, Elwell,
continued mother, still, II suppose it
wouldn't have taken much to turn me to-
ward Sam in my young days; always
thought the world and all Of him; but he
seemed to take rather more to Augusta.
She was always nineteen to the dozen, and
never could hold my own against her.
And then your father he came along, and
never was sorry it happened as it did.
but now you don't need me, and Sam and
have about concluded to make arrange
ments, only ] told him l must have talk
with you first and get your advice"
''Get my advice! Dear little mother! ~
was not idiotic enough to offer it if had
any advice to give. So she and Mr..
Averil went on and 'made arrange
ments.'
When arrangements were made that day
two weeks, after quiet wedding at the
minister's, they started off for California
together, TO begin life anew on each 9th
er's account, as blithe and joyous as two
birds on the wing.-7Ae Aldine.