Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-30
Tales and Sketfhes.
A NIGHT IN THE BACKWOODS.
TcoNcLuDEp FROM YKsrERpAY.l


knelt down, the covering dog ut my
side, | prayed earnestly, and when my
voice ceased, he spoke. -
I'm tell We true" he said-"I'll tell ye
true. Besides, an can through your
means help another. l know you won't re-
fuse me. 1 have done harm, maybe-a
deal OF harm, to one who never injured
me. An now | can never repair it, ifyou
don't help me-" 37"
His eyes were on mine, and the pupils
seemed covered with q film. The effort
seemed evident, when he spoke even in
the lowest tones yet in voice and gaze
there were signs of strong anxiety.
II promise you, Irepiied: II shall try
to have your wishes complied with All
my husband and can do we will"
"Moisten my lips; they're parching.
Bless YOU He was silent for brief
space; then, speaking in stronger, yet
constrained tone, as if he had nerved him.
self to the task, he said: 'Let me say, l
haven't much time left now. IT'S ten
years ago since l spoke in confidence to
any human creature It's ten years since
spoke the truth by word or deed was
happy, contented man, was husband
and father, au' my wife was as purity
girl, an as good an true as ever lived.
We rented little farm in the county Linn
erck, and we were happy an honest.
was considered smart fellow. an likely
to do well and Mary had the good word
of all the neighbors. All a bitter drop it
is-I'i never meet her again. She's in
heaven. SO things went one fair enough
with me for some time; when ON day
comm in from the field found my wife
cryin' and lookin' vexed an fustered
somehow. wild the flush on her face. She
would not tell me the cause. So | went
out to my work again, angry bit at her
being secret like with me. | met Mr..
Donovan, the agent, by the way, an he
give me a civil good mornin', an talked
for lit about the cattle an the crops. an
was mighty kind entirely. lie went his
way, an went mine, | thinkin' what =
nice gentleman he was"
The speaker had kept his eyes fixed on
me, and never once glanced round.
strove to rise and get him more stimulant.
for his voice had grown alarmingly weak.
mo, no, he said ~ am dyin' know
it. But il had twenty years life in me
and knew the gallows was before me, I'd
.spake now. Well, one evenin, month
alter found it out, comm through lone
ly, windiE' borheen, came suddenly on
a woman struggling with man. "Help."
she cried. My heart leaped. knew that
voice. rushed forward, and with blow
knocked down the william who held her,
and caught my wife in my arms. I'll
er forgot the scowl he gave at me, as pick.
ing himself, Up. he limped off, kept by
Mary clinging to me, from following him.
"Oh, Jim. don't go alter him" she said.
Then, at length, she told me how Mr..
Donevean had followed her about tor
long time, both before and after her mar
riage, and how the day found her crying
he had made proposals to her. insultin' to
an honest woman, and how he had threat
ened her if she ever told me word about
it, he'd be the ruin of me. H4
"Well to cut it short, for feel the life's
going fast from me, we were turned out
of our house by the agent; all my little
stock and furniture seized. My wife was
afther her confinement only two days, and
the bed was taken from undher her. A
naybour took her in, but the shock and re-
moval killed her, lost her an baby to-
gether.
"In one short week WAS a widower
and childless, without house or home. or
one penny in the world. did not much
care for the poverty, now. though l met
Mr.. Donovan the day buried Mary. and
his wicked face wore a sneering smile. an ;
he gev me one look. which said plainly:
Haven't kept my word?' But was de-
termined to be revenged on him who
caused my bitter sorrow. 1t came to my
hand, my revenge did. unexpected. One
night was comm alongst lonely coun-
try road. There was moon. but the
clouds were scudding across 1t sometimes.
an thin all would be dark an thin she d
suddenly appear, ligntin' up everythin
quite clear. 1t was in another county l
was, away from my own place. having
gone there for work. had to live some-
how, an was bound to work. All alone
walked, an all alonei the wide world