Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-20
Gales aud Sketehes.
IT HAPPENED IN FIFTY-SIy.
BY MRS. JAMES NEALL.

1t was nearly midnight. A dark star
less sky and chill damp air betokened ap-
preaching rain. The dead dry leaves
matted themselves together, as the mois-
ture penetrated their crispness, and Law in
little mounds Of mould and decay under
the pine tree overshadowing lonely
cabin. standing isolate beside huge rock
which jutted out behind it. The clefts OF
this were filled with torn moss and fallen
pine burrs, and the whole aspect of the
surroundings was dreary and desolate in
the extreme. A we'll worn but narrow
trail led to shed beyond, where brindle
COW, lonely and somber as the scene about
her, was securely tied. A tin pail and
few other kitchen utensils hung outside
the door, showing the place was inhabit-
| ed; and a rude board supported on piles
| of stone served for bench. On this a
huge dog slept. waking occasionally, and
seeming to listen in the darkness for the
sound of an approaching footstcp. Present.
ly the creature, more fully reused, went
round to back entrance, and shifted at
the threshold, wagging his tail and giving
a low bark. From within came: "All
right. good ''Trusty;" lie down and
watch " and apparently satisfied, the
shaggy watchman again sought his hard
bed and slept.
when will he come ?" muttered the
apparently young girl within-apparently
young at the first glance, but withered
like fallen Autumn leaf, by some inward
agony. baby slept in square cham
paign basket at her feet, nesting comfort
ably i'll its uncouth couch in inocent nncon-
sciousness of grief or joy. The woman
lifted her heavy eyes wearily to cheap
clock fastened against the wooden wall
Nearly l2- and he leaves me here alone
and unprotected, weary and heartbroken."
For moment a pathetic expression stole
over her countenance, and the eyes seemed
fnll of unshed tears; but they were forced
back to their fountain, as with clinched
hand and desperate gesture she said, II
hate him,'
Nor did she stop here. Hot words
leaped from her lips like flame from the
healtof a torn volcano. Words of scorn and
contempt, words of wrath and bitterness.
10 bring me to this What did l care
for his boast of great mines, Of his acres
of cattle, of the clear blue skies and balmy
airs of California, of his mountain home
for our Summering, and his Queen City of
the Golden Gate for Winter home-what
did l care for it all might have had all
and more than he SO deceitfully promised
my dear deluded father. But loved him;
loved him madly. wickedly. Earth had
no light where he was not. Heaven would
have been hades without him. And
married him gaily so gladly. To what
mad career of passion and Of crime he has
foot. and glared at the child in the cradle
oh hut
mine also !" and taking the babe in her
arms, she added; $50 help me God, will
save her yet. She shall not live here,
witness and iheritor of nature thorough
ly base, without one trace of manhood or
truth in its baneful composition
Shaken and exhausted by this burst OF
passion, which seemed to have torn her
as some wild upheaval of nature tears, and
separates, and crushes, she sunk again in
to the low chair, and wrapped heavy
blanket shawl round her shivering form
for the embers had fallen apart. and the
smeudering Goals, rapidly turning to ash
es, were nearly extinct. She reached out
her hand to throw upon them some fresh
pine splints, but withheld it. "No-the
craven may do without warmth, or light,
or me. | will go-I care not whittier.
Rid of his wife, he can console himself
with one of the lewd creatures who so
often insult me by their presence. have
sworn it. To night l will leave him for
ever, and God forgive and pity me-"
She opened the door and looked out in
to the palpable darkness. Not a sign Of
star in the heavens. A thick fog, almost
like drizzling rain, and. dripping from
the pine trees made the earth soft and
clammy to the foot. She shrunk from the
unkindly atmosphere, and calling the dog
for comfot and company, closed the door.
"Trusty' crept up to the hot ashes. "You
shall oe warmed, at all events" she said,
patting his head and soon bright blaze
sprung mp, throwing tlickering, fantastic
shadows on the wall. and seeming to
change the mood of the desperate wom-
an.
at were better to die by pistol shot.
here beside this sparkling flame that would
drink up ones blood, and crisp and black
en- these white arms of mine in kindly
oblivion. But the baby ? can not-can-
not do murder on her, poor innocent lamb!
No; | will bide my time. But two years
of companionship with Edward Lester
has SO completely demoralized me that
scarcely know what l say--I have been
worse than an idiot to have endured them.
| loath the cruelty which scarcely hides
itself, the sinister mask which is worse
then open wicAcdness. There is not an
animal about the place he has not tortured
nearly out of existence, save "Trusty'
and .Brindle," and but for the knowledge
that "Brndlen kept me from starving for
his convenience, he would have killed her
long ago Thank God he is cowartiy
enough to fear dog. But bark What is
that ?n
The dog sprung up, and the woman,
with blanched face, listened to the sound
OF rapidly approaching footsteps. A hard
quick run, a pant for breath, scared.
:error-stricken face and Edward Lester
stood before his wife.
80 God, Grace! save me ! The Vigi-
lants are after me. Anywhere-hide me
in any hole-quiek They will hang
quarter me. Q, have some mercy on your
guilty husbandm
A glimmer of lanterns in the distance,
u sound of hoofs, the shouts of men, con-
vinced her that for once the craven had
be enforced into telling the truth. But
one fact was before her; they would send