Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-05-27
seleften Storn.
Katy.

She had lived with us so Iopg-as length
Of service counts herc-that we felt a. II ""
owned Katy: and We did. ii ownership
comes by right of discovery.
II was a il she had been left on our
doorstep. like any other foundliug. and we
ii-.'l tai.en het la. cared fva Het, and loved
and trusted her for six long. faithful years
living in the hope rs used TO tell mother.
that the boud might continue the same
INTO mv liie's end. Amen, Ike the pious
desire iI the catechi,m.
She came 70 our door one dark, wet
night in March. hall sick. utterly hopeless.
asking for work. She had been in the
country bot few weeks; came with her
mother 10 ,py out the Land, and get things
''>ittled like before sending for the rest
OF the family.
Seven childer' miss. an no father to
one @ thin" She said.
They had exhausted their small stock of
money and no: being able 10 rcplenish by
picking up gold on the highway, as they
expected 10 do. Mrs. Brice was forced TO
whlewash and do general charring. and
hary came 10 us-a chance blessing.
| shall never forget her pathetic tone.
when >he said, IL work stronger than |
look. miss.
II was bright and warm in the hail. max
inL the outside darkness backer by the
contrast. aud hadn't the heart to say no.
MOtAer insisted that it was the soft eyes
and sweet voice that won me, more than
any promise held out by katy's self-com-
meudations. And II may be, for She was
neat and pretty ia her seyenteen-year old
freshness. Besides. we wanted Just such
a trim little maid. And was justified. for
she pros pered in the brightness OF our qui-
et lie and repaid thousandfold our trust
i'm her hg TO
her a. much OF a fixture in the family as
mother or myself; 50 I was pretty well
stunned one morning when a faint. meek
voice. which | should not have known for
katy's only that she was busy in the corn
er, her back toward me, busting the little
rneres in her nice. dainty way
Il want 10 be married. Miss Mary
why. Katy Brice | am ashamed of
YOU. said. severely. Perhaps others
may want TO be married, but don't think
1t modest to say so.
But. ye see, miss. have the chance
with an emphasis that. iu another. might
have passed for sarcasm. for | was suffic-
iently katy's senior to stand in her estima-
I ton as an 'ould maid = reasonably beyond
such youthful friEolities.
But what upon earth put marriage into
your head: Don't you have trouble
enough!"
''fesm." said meek Katy. But Jerry
/ Burke an me are sort o coosins. and I'm
wake like, We know, Miss Mary. An Jer.
/ ry he thought we'd best get married. He's
forehanded, an has a bit of money in the
bank; an he says I'll not have to work so
/ hard. an it will be my own housework !;
an so it will. ye know. piss
! Yes. And you believe all this barney"
said l. ''He won't let you wash your hands
in cold wafer. dare say not. if according
to the story. you choose to find fire to
warm it
/ But it was all lost on Katy. the only re-
/ sponse being. Would the mistress object.
/ do ye think Z"
Much good it will do her if she does .
/ But have you any otncr wise reason be-
/ sides being wake" you foolish girl?"
well. ye see, Jerry an me we nit at
/ Bridget Moneys last Saturday was two
weeks. Me mother knew his father in the
ould country; in Limerick it was She
seed Jerry when he was a lad an she
/ thinks he's nice boy; an We see, he likes
me. Wud you and the mistress come to
/ the widdin', then miss: It's but step to
ST. Mary's an il don't look like stormin
I the night"
And this was the whole story! Our mod.
est little maid had in two weeks been woo-
! ed and won. aud was to be married THE
I night "
/ We excused the bride elect from further
/ duty on her wedding day, and she set
about her trouseau. and preparing for the
entertainment after the ceremony
Jerry bought fine cake at the bakers
! just around the corner. I've it up stairs in
my bid-room, Miss. Wud you come up an
see if We think it's nice: An wud the mis-
tress let me cut biz of mince-p pie, just tor
! Jerry! He's that fond of it ,'
/ gave an unlimited order on the larder,
and set of spoons that had served us as
faithfully as Katy; and then, with sink
ing heart. went to carry the news and the
] invitation to mother.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself to
encourage the child in such folly. You
are old enough to know better. if she isn't.
Send Katy to me. I'll stop that nonsense -
was the pleasant reception that awaited
the story that had been softeaed and cush-
| ioned to meet the occasion.
But when was wise counsel ever taken.
or when did intermeddling avail in a love
affair? Certainly not this time, for at the
heur appointed we crossed the street to St.
Mary's and found the bridal party in a
dimly lighted passage in the rear of the
Church. awaiting the convenience of Faith
er Rooney. who. as we were informed nv