Ellsworth American., 1875-12-09
Misrrll
A Leaf From Kezzie Griswolds s Life.

A Leaf From Kezzie Griswolds Life.
Il can't. Robert; not now. Yon must
let me think oi it first.
There was touch Of impa,icncc in ihc
girls voice. She took her hand from IN.
gate busted herself in picking To piece
the flower she held.
Time to think All. kezzjc. have no
need Ia stop and think whether love yoll
or not; though il may take time 10 show
how much love you-a lifetime, indeed =
Her manner soitened at hi> tone, and She
answered III gentler way, with the rich
color coming TO her face:
Il did not say needed time TO decide
that, but it would be your wife-ihat il
what you asked me, RoDcr::"
well. II i the same thing. j. il not ?
VIII not answering one question answer
both :"
Il do not know that. when answer
you Il l., ~ you say. for lifetime. let
you would have me do il in moment. 8"
Then catching hi, glance she turned ava
half laughing, yet with the hot tear. start
ing 10 her eyes. don't look al me 50 ;
! can't help It II I'm not very sensible, Or
civil either, to-day. I'm tircd-a little hit
cross.too. maybe, BE good a, you alway,
are, Robert and DON'T ask me any thing
now. You must let me have my own way
in this"
When did ever do any thing else: You
have surely right 10 take what time YOU
will; but kezzie, little one, don't let il be
long"
NO; viii answer YOU tomorrow :"
She -aid. slowly. GO now Rob. Good
by"
lie watched her as She passed up the
garden walk. aud then turned away. with
a shade OF pain and disappointment ON hi,
bronzcd. handsome face.
The doors and windows OF the large
kitchen were all wide open. and the suu
sircamed IN over the yellow floor, and
danced on the rows OF shining tin. adding
to ;he uncomfortable warmth thrown out
by the great stove. Into this heated room
kezzie Griswold came, feeling its discon-
forts more keenly than ever before, and
casing weary. disconsolate look at the
huge basket OF uuironed clothing that was
patiently awaiting her return.
She was 80 tired OF all this weary round
OF work OF spendlu. SO much time, thought
/ and care ON all these triiling things. that
would have 10 be done over again to-nor-
row. Never one step gained. one single
advance made always doing that other.
might undo-and such petty, unmeaning
things, too, What We're sweeping and
| dusiins, sewing and ironing, that people
should waste their lives so: taking as much
thought about the number OF eggs requlr-
Ell for cake or custard as il mind and
thought were given for nothing else.
There were other things in the world-but
rot in her world. it seemed. There were
great. noble. glorious lives that were worth
the living; rich In blessing 10 themselves
and all around them. But the beauty and
enjoyment of life did not come 10 her.
This old home was comfortable enough
50 far a. common things went-common
things what else ever came to herl There
Was plenty OF food and clothing; plenty OF
distasteful tasks too; she was tired OF il all
this dull ,monotonous level she wanted
change and rest. She had always thought
that she would sometime make a new life
for herself. She did not know what or
how but she had dreamed bright vague
dreams-poor little kezzie of world
where the wearing, tormenting common
place should not creep in. But now there
seemed a new chain forged TO bind her
Robert hensett's love for her, or rather
hers for him. She did not need to question
her love; the sure knowledge of il was
that which made her so impatient In her
strange, paradoXical mood She was almost
ready 10 hate him because she loved him.
Wearily she bent over the pretty pink
muslin. her cheeks flushed TO almost the
same color. as she pressed out ruiiie and
tuck. Usually kezz.e prided herself upon
her skill and quickness in this sort of work ;
but to-day there was a subtle poison -drop
at her life's very fountain-head and il
tainted all the streams.
''kezier kezi-er," piped shril voice
| from the stairway.
The name grated harshly on the girls
ears. Why couldn't they have called her
| something else! she wondered, when there
were 50 many pretty. musical names Blu,
no, it must be keZia-coarse and common
like every thing else she said TO herself
| going slowly to obey the call.
High up on the stairs stood Master Josey
| Griswold, leanin. over the railing. and
dangling long string.
Il say, kezier, m a-fishin'. an want
you to hitch piece Of gingerbread on to
my hook so can draw it up. I've got t.
stay here. cause I'm on desert island and
hain't got no boat
"Oh. .Josey. what have you been doing 9
she cried, discovering that the young gen
tlernan had purloined several yards OF vel
| vet ribbon for his cline" and bent he,
shawl-pin double for hook. You nauyh
ty. naughty boy."
No. amt neither said Josey, defen
sively. II got wrecked. tell you. an
couldn't go down stairs Tor no string.
had to take what could find on my island
like Robinson Crusoe."
"Iou might lave got wrecked some
where else than in my bureau drawers.
think. Put the things where YOU foun,
them. and come down stairs. Josey," and
kezzie went back TO the hot kitchen again
She had scarcely resumed her work befor
the ringing voice came once more
"kezier.''
This time he was on the upper landing
He had replaced borrowed property, an,
so felt particularly selfcomplacent.
''Kezier. five got to come down stair
an be good boy, must have some gin
ger-bread. I'm goin' to slide down tn
barrlsters. an I'll be there quickern wink
an l want the gingerbread just as soon a
get to the bottom"
"Well. said Kezzie, ,impatiently. vet sh
complied with the conditions of peace tbs
were offered. After all. Josev was n
more troublesome to-day than other day,
only she was so weary. Tiresome wor
and more tiresOme interruptions, she wan
ed to be free from them all.
Josey, having disposed of his lunch, an
scattered the crumbs In as MANY direction