Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-01
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AUNT Iset, that | was afraid TO have hei
tell my fortune after that. She told Us tt
come again, when the wafer was clearer
and then we came away, and Alice
has been cross as bear ever since. But
I'm sure wouldn't go back again for any
thing"
Whereupon and finally, Aunt L;ot had
her laugh. What did tell you, Alice
Didn't say you were to be an old mad
1t was foreordained by the fates. Only.
Alice, let me request one thing OF you,
yea, two things, come to think. Don't
you ever go to petting cats or dyeing your
hair with vile-smelling, sulphurous stuif.
when white threads begin to sneak IN
around your temples. I'll never will you
my teapot or eyeglasses if you do that
Aunt L9titia, who liked to tease people,
laughed again.
1t was the season ofpeaches and melons
the roasting season when idle people hunt
cool places, and devout people hold camp
meetings. Alice went to a camp meeting
with her father, mother and Aunt L@titia.
Is there anybody here. wonder. who
doesn't know whats camp meeting is like ?
If there is, let her go to the next one and
find out for herself.
Father and mother sat up among the
worshippers, close to the preachers plat
form; Aunt Lat sat half way back in the
congregation, like one who was doubtful
in her mind as yet whether to separate
herself from the world or not, while giddy
pated Alice didn't pretend to sit among
the congregation at all, but lowered away
back on the extreme borders, where the
preachers voice could scarcely be heard
at all. Their position in the camp meet
ing audience was an exact barometer OF
the devotional states of these excellent
people, namely. father and mother, Aunt
Letitia, Alice. In point of fact, the young
people on the outermost borders of that
deyout assembly were flirting with all
their might. If you've never been to a
camp meeting don't mind telling you
that is what young people mostly go to
camp meetings for. Alice Esmerelda
Kildare was flirting with Tom Creighton
Her betrothed, the slim, long haired stu
dent, coming home tomorrow.
when the cats away, the mice will
play, and the mouse will play till the very
last minute before the cat comes" Alice
had remarked to herself, as she admired
her bright, brunette face in the glass that
morning.
So she sat upon one of the rude wooden
benches under a tree, and let Tom Creigh-
ton talk soft nonsense in half whispers to
her. Was all this wicked, Of Sunday,
at camp meeting? Yes; certainly it was,
but two-thirds of the young people about
them were behaving in the same wicked
manner. Suddenly Tom Creighton's soft,
lazy voice ceased, and Alice looked up,
presently, to see why. She could hardly
keep down cry, as she saw, approach
ing them, her own betrothed, the slim,
handsome student, who had been gone a
whole year. Somehow she felt dreadfully
guilty as she caught his bright, gray eyes
1t was such fun to firt, but-dear me!
The slim student passed her with cold
bow. His mother was on his arm, and he
led her to seat up among the devout
people around the preachers platform.
Alice's heart beat a little queerly, and
Tom Creighton watched her keeny. 1t
wasn't pleasant, and Alice hated unpleas-
ant things. Suddenly her betrothed came
back towards them. He had seated his
mother and left her. He touched his hat
to Alice.
IL beg pardon, Miss Kildare, but wish
TO ask you something in presence Of this
person. may not have the opportunity
again. may not see you again soon, in
deed"
He took a paper from his pocket and
unfolded it.
''Read that, if you please" said the slim
student to Miss Alice. who by this time
was beginning TO be conscious of power
full inclination to run away. The paper
contained an exact copy of the slanderous
tat xph;ch lion bo1 a1lnxual Ton,
Creighton to repeat to her concerning her
betrothed.
II only wish to know said the slim
student, with simple dignity, whether
you allowed this person to tell you the
stuff that is on that paper?"
Alice did not answer. She wanted
worse than ever to run away, but to save
her life she could not have gone past that
wrathful gray eye. which was fixed on her
like seige gun.
"A very short answer is sufficient. Yes
or no, Miss Kildare ?"
81 won't tell you," said Alice, pouting
''Do you think you can make me do any
thing won't do?''
II beg your pardon" said the slim stu
dent. with icy politeness. 81 would not
for the world ask you to do anything which
is disagreeable to you. Allow me to wish
you good morning"
But as he strobe away and left them,
Alice didn't like the looks of him. Con-
sequently she flirted harder than ever.
During the dinner recess, after Tom
Creighton had gone away and left Alice,
suddenly there arose terrible roar and
rumpus in the edge of the woods. Then
there was pistol shot, and the next mo-
ment were heard cries of Prize fight !"
Murder !" Part EN-" Give il to him,
little one!"
Those who rushed to the quarter whence
the cries came, saw slender man, all
bloody. and foaming like wild beast,
madly beating and pounding big fellow
who was trying faithfully to shield him
self from the blows which were raining
down upon him. And before they could
be separated the slim student had beaten
Tom Creighton half to death.
''And good enough for him, too" said
everybody who saw the encounter. but
who'd have thought that slim fellow who
wrote poetry could do it"
Ii seems the two rivals had met some
where in the grove. Angry words had
passed between them, and at last Tom