Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-09-30
IN A TUNNEL.

"rhat viii do nicely" sad En'h Mayhem. re-
coiving her last package through the car window
from Mr.. Perkins on the platform.
"Wrte US how you get along, Ruth. II your
aunt can spare you spell in the summer We d
be glad to see you hum again. Oh, my here's
bis Curtin with n bunch Of posies from her
gardin. Hurry hurry you'll be late, sures tho
world, Mis- Curtin"
Thus spoke the group at tho depot in shrill
chorus rs the locomotive. every plate FURNISHED
and dazzling, which had simmersd quietly for
minutes, started, impsrting jerking wrench TO
the cars, and then tho long snake OF lIain
glided smoothly away.
''She takes 1t GrAt-rate commented MI. Fer
Llns; wiping his brow with red bandann hand
Then he climbed into his r,lsty carry-all. drawn
by meek white horse the others returned
along the village street to resume separate ayo-
cations, and the event OF the day was over. Ruth
MAYHEM had departed from the home of her
youth, and the place would know her no more
forever.
Tho struggle had been lard ono, hut she
bore 1t well. Ae Mr.. Perkins averred. She did
not look once at the white house on the hill
shcre death had robbed her OF parents and
shelter because even her fortitude could not he
trusted to witness the Smalls moving in. What
vas before her ? Life with Aunt Harriet in
close sick- chamber. slave OF All invallda ca
prices, and grateful for daily bread. On the
long dreary years, with nothing but old age in
advance
She took small pocket-mirror from her bag,
and gazed pensively into its depths. The re-
Eected image WAS by no means unattractive
She WAS not M young as she had once been, yet
her features were good, her complexion fresh,
her eyes clear, and her physique robust. More
over she was carefully and becomingly attired,
and her chignon WAS OF tho latest style. Never
theless a sigh swelled up from her heart when
she gszed in the glsss, not altogether in un-
reasonable dissatisfaction with her present ap-
pearance still the past had had disappont-
Inonts, and the future with Amt Harriet WAS
without promise. Away back in the vista of
summers she beheld herself, fanciful girl,
building cloud-castes out Of the sunniest gio-
ries. One spring time was brighter and more
fragrant than the rest around it still bloomed
flowers Of regreffu memories, blossoms with
nut earthly sembance in the cold bleak climate
whore Ruth lived, because it sprung from the
rtchest sources of humanity.
A bravo young missionary bad urged heed
less giri to go with him to- the hoe countries
among the heathen and tho girl, to whom the
world seemed vast treasure-house lavish OF
gifts, had tiouted her young missionary, and he
had silently departed without complaint, to re-
turn no more. Then Ruth had shed tears in
secret, bitterly remorsefnl tears, and turned
her back capriciously on the weli-to-do farmers
of her acquaintance.
&" Got cinder in yer eye Z inquired sharp
voice in our travellers ear.
The latter awoke from her reverie with Il start
and turned to her qnestoner with guilty plush
suifnsng her cheek. She, Ruth Alayhew, of
middle age, caught looking in the glass Her
Interlocntor was brisk, bright little old lady in
faded shawl and an autiquated bonnet OF the
coal-scuttlo pattern. She carried on her arm a
blach silk bag which seemed to contain unlm-
tied stores of snuff and peppermint drops Eli
crciing her wIthered old throat was Il necklace
of beautiful gold bosds, delicately wrought
These beads, an heir loom in her family, de-
scending to her through long generations had
been worn by her slnco early youth, and so
much of approximation is associated with such
relics IN tho mind of the possessor, that the
old lady would have dreaded immediate misior-
tune had she lost them. Such was her child-like
faith IN her fellow creatures that she never
dreamed Of parting with her treasures.
al can get it out quick As wink chili, she
continued, eagerly, setting hec spectacies, and
spreading ont u soft silk handkerchief, with the
intention Of applying 1t to Nnth's eye., n
hastily popping the glass back into hiding
place.
Thus foed, the old lady relapsed into silence,
although she could not remain quiet long. She
jcrked her head about quickly to observe differ
ont objects with a sparrow-like motion, and be-
coming Accordingly Interested in Ruth, she peer.
cd Al trimmings, evfn testing tho quaity OF
ribbon furtively with critical forehnser aho
thumb. Age had chiseled wrinkles, innumera
bic fine lines, in the intelligent face, had whit
encd the scanty hair, and robbed the snnker
mouth OF teeth, yet the vital forces seemed un
impaired. She was like queer little gray birt
hopping along to peck crumb OF lnformatioi
everywhere. .,
ii wonder who she is, and where she's goin z
pondered the old lady, her busy brain havins
nnsuccessfully twisted Ruth around the whirl
ing wheel of minute investigation. Then sh
bobbad up abruptly. and skipped into the sea
beside the object of her interest with All apol
ogetc, 'Guess I'll change my, place, il you don m
mind, and get out Of the dranght from tia
wnder Old folks have to be kinder esrefu
about draughts."
Miss Mayhew graciously assented, and he
noighbor WIS delighted with the success OF le
rtratagem. -
tninkling all over her companion interrogatlve
.'Yes Have you come far?'
Far? guess 70 left my darler's hon
In Indianny day afore yesteidayc,, u.,, I've see s
band, is lumber merchant, you know, out Yves
Yes, the winters been cold, some. We hn
Bible classes and lectures, aud once there can
i, psnoramy of New York. Jabez took me. He
yor, been there? Most as good as seeing it II
yourself, the panorsmy WAS. Come home alone
Law, yes Made my way right along as easy
could be, l stopped overnight at Montreal,
Ganady, at H great hotel, and the CLERK gave n
:. snug little room, SOS felt real TO nun
There's big bridge-the Victory Bridge, tht
csll it there. SEQ it. I've been good pie'
~, the Grand Turk Railroad too.
Tho old lazy had travelled all TINS dstanc
slle was now turning her face homewafd 10
farm nestled among the hills.
,.My sou lives in the other side OF the hons
and docs all the chores about the farm l tn
esre of myself,' she explained, with the c'irio
simplicity OF nature that contided all Its priya
affairs to strangers, never dreaming OF donhti'
that their interest equaled her own in di'cnssll
their personal history. .. :,
Huth's sympathy was aroused, THIS sympat
cost her DEAR Three hours later she was stan
ing alone on the crowded platform OF a lar
railway terminus, where locomotives dasil
traptically about, and anxious passengers voc
GRATED loudly, with her own train dlsappear
in the listance.a and string OF gold beads IN u
IL happened tins Enth and her new frie
nob-nobbei delightfully."-. The old lady WAS p
ticulsriy pleased ta discover that among
MANY good things prepared for the others to
new bv friendly haudr vera crisp h,rn.ove
generous slices OF dfied-appie pie, and doui
nuts. "a,
of satisfaction. .'Couldn't cit any cake nor
in CaIady. They said they had plenty Of b
snd beer, but don't need "oii''n iuae
hearty" ,,-,,
influences of harsh, cold climate, tho Eng
resident of Canada supplies generous fuel FOR
machinery OF life. while the iankee nauvt
New England most grlidSipsly luDricates
,usy mechanism OF his economy, at the rs
time extorting the greatest possible amour
labor from his slsve--the body.
The train paused at Il station. and young
atrtlIed into the car. Miss Ruth's attention
came INSTANTLY centred In him. II WAS not
cause OF the besuty OF his black muetache
she obseryed him, nor his oily rinslets, lila
waistcoat and respendent watcli-chaln II
.i,nply because his evil, snaky eye, wauae
c.rsle.sly over the passengers. pouuced on
,lucoussious old lady. 'Iou will bear watch
Thought the younger woman. Then she ta
wxrnincly of thieves and pckpockets, at "
the old lady looked simply bewildered.
M J,n1 itfn u n
hole that seemed TO open ya|nhg month
itself stationary and soulless. to ingni me
motion. A tiny bme fame ersckeled the
laily had lighted bit OF tallow-eandle, using
hand for a candlestck.
al cit scared in these tunnels, sine said,
held tho candle 40 that Ruth and herself
framed in a vivid radiance.
The former, keeping her eyes steadfastly
on tho snaky young man seated behind dett
a steaithy movement of his hand toward tn
lsdys neck, where hung the family gold b.
sudden draught (emansting from the 6
Young man) Jared out the candle, scuihe
rush epsued amidst confused exclsmations,
Miss Mavhew launched into active combat
tho foe.
,rheyes |" she shrieked.
'.Oh, murder |" gasped the old lady. frs
ceiviug blow over the head that crushet
bonnet awry. land then feeling ~ if a great
shawls had tumbed over her.
.'Wbat is the matter 2" echoed on all vi,
the terrible darkness.
nOh, oh y screamed Ruth again.
uL,na n In