Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-25
Gales aud Sketfhes.
RUTH'S SfEPFAfHRR.
GEORGE MANvILLE FEM, IN cAssELI's.

which | always have after tea. So she did
what she knew so well how to do-filled
my pipe, forced it into my hand, and Just
as was going to dash it to pieces in the
ashes, she gave me one Of her old locks,
kissed me on the forehead, as with one
hand she pressed me back into my chair.
| and then with the other she lit q spliDt
and held it to my tobacco. 3
was done. She always gets over me
like that; and after smoking In silence for
halt an hour, was lying back, with my
eyes closed, dropping of to sleep. when
the wife said (what had gone before l
hadn't heard)- tf
Yes. he's asleep now" a
That woke me up, of course, and If l
didn't lie there shamming and heard all
they said in whisper. t@ @
"HOw came you to make him more
vexed than he was, Luke ?" said the wife;
and he told her. r
II couldn't do it mother" he said ex-
ctedly. 1T was heart-breaking. She's
living in a wretched room there with her
daughter; and, mother, when l saw her
felt as il there, I can't tell you.''
go on. Luke" she said.
They're half starved" he said, hi a
husky way. ''Oh, mother, it's horrible.
Such sweet, beautiful girl. and the poor
woman herself dying almost with some
terrible disease.
The wife sighed.
They told me-" he went on, ''how
hard they had tried to live by ordinary
needle. work, and failed, and as last re-
source they had tried to get the machine"
Poor things ~ says the wife "but are
you sure the mother was lady?'
"A clergyman's widow" says Luke.
hastily; "there isn't doubt about it.
Poor girl and they've got to learn to use
it before it will be of any use."
Poor girl Luke P" said the wife; and
saw through my eyelashes that she laid
hand upon his arm and was looking curl
ously at him, when if he didn't cover his
face with his hands, rest his elbows TN
the table. and give low groan! Then
the old woman got up, stood behind his
chair, and began playing with and caress-
ing his hair like the foolish old mother
would.
Mother he says suddenly. You will
60 and see them?"
She didn't answer for a minute, only
stood looking down at him, and then said
softly
They paid you the first money ?"
NO" he says hotly. II hadn't the
heart to take it." .g'
Then that money you paid was yours.
Luke?"
"Yes, mother, he said simply, and those
two stopped looking at the other, till the
vile bent down and kissed him, holding
his head afterwards for few minutes be-
tween her hands; for she always did wor-
ship that chap, our only one; and then I
closed my eyes tight and went on breath
ing heavy and thinking
For something like new revelation
had come upon me. l knew Luke WIS
five and twenty and that was fifty-four,
but he always seemed like boy to me.
and here was waking up to the fact that
he was grown up man, and that he was
thinking and feeling AS first thought and
felt when first saw his mother. nigh upon
twenty wears ago.
lay back. thinking and telling myself
was very savage with him for deceiving
me, and that wouldn't have him and his
mother laying plots together against me.
and that wouldn't stand by and see him
make fool of himself with the first pref
ty girl he set eyes on. when he might mar
ry Maria Turner, the engineers daughter,
and have nice bit of money with her 10
put into the business, and then be my
partner.
No." l says; IF You plot together,
I'll plot all alone. and then pretended
to wake up, took no notice, and had my
supper. -
kept rather gruff the next morning,
and made myself very busy about the
place, and dare say spoke more sharp
ly than usual. but the wife and Luke were
as quiet as could be; and about twelve
went out, with little oil can and two or
three tools in my pockets.
1t was not far to Benefits place. and on
getting TO the right house asked for Mrs.
floor. where, as reached the door, could
hear the clinking Of my sewing machine.
and whoever there was so busy over II
that she did not hear me knock, SO
opened the door softly and looked upon as
sad scene as shall ever, dare say. see.s
There in the bare room sat, asleep in her
chair, the widow lady who came about the
machine, and could see that in her face
which told plainly enough that the pain
that she must have been going through
for wears would soon be over. and situated
as she was il gave me Il kind of turn. e a.
"lt's no business OF yours said 10
myself roughly; and turned then to look
who it was bending over my machine.
| could see no face--only a slight figure
in rusty black; and "a pair Of busy white
hands were trying very hard to govern
he thing, and to learn how to use Il well.
$50 that's the gal. is ite'' said to my
self
"Ah, Luke, my boy. you've got to the
lilly calf age, and dare say"
got no further. for at that moment the
yi,l started, turned around. and turned
upon me a tmid, wondering face. that
made my heart give queer ,hrob. and
couldn't take my eyes off her.
"Hush!" she said softly. holding up her
hand; and saw it was as thin and trans
parent as ii she had been i'll.
my names Smith," said. taking Out
= screw-driver. MY machine; now does
It gop Thought I'd come and sec."
Her face lit up in moment, and she
came forward eagerly.
TCONCLUDED ON foUKTH PA0E.l