The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-09-24
BILE WALKER'S WIFE.

Are doing All tne useful iAbor
BILE WALKERS WIFE.
ny ROBERT C. MEYERS.
Some one Knocked at the door. II
was wild night-the snow falling drear-
lily around, the air dying away and then
coming in swim twirls down the chin
ney, bringing with it burden Of snow
which Kissed a. it touched the roaring
fire. Quietness within. A comely mat
ron was sitting alone by the hearth,
mending ch;ld's frock. The three pair
of little shoes lying to dry before the
fame told that the quietness was only a
temporary peace, to be broken after the
little active brains were recuperated by
sleep. Sitting there alone, the woman
heard the knock at the door, Hurriedly
rising, she unlocked and opened it. A
mans voice said:
"Do Bill Walkers wife live hereT'
Eyes," she answered. al am she.
What do you want with mer'
Las may come inf I've news
from Bill"
From Bill! Come in, sailor, for the
love of heaven, and tell me what you
know I"
Out Of the wintry darkness into the
light and heat Of the pungent wood-fire
stepped big brawny fellow, dressed in
the rough gsrb OF common sailor. He
shook the snow from him, and looked
down into the little woman's face in close
inquiry. She returned the look with
startled expression, as Of one bewildered
and then new lock came into her face as
of comprehension.
"Sit by the fire." she said to him.
You must be chilled"
al am that, Bill Walkers wife. Are ye
all alone?'
"No," she said, pointing to the three
pair Of little shoes.
The man looked at them and drew his
hand roughly across his eyes.
Now, sailor" said she, whats your
newsf'
"Bill Walkers wife, I can't tell ye
much just now. Ye must bear wi me.
I'm but a rough sailor, and don't know
how to commence my yarn"
"Oh, it's yarn is it ? Well, wait till l
put some wood on the fre-then COM
mence." She suited the action to the
word, sat down on low stool in the red
light from the Kissing fire, and took up
her work. "Now," she said, al am
ready"
The man seemed a little confused.
can't ye little nervousr' he asked.
"Pve got over that. / was a little
afraid before you came. Now I'm steady
like"
"Bill Walkers wife, I've that to tell
ye which ill not make ye easy in yer
mind. Bills been gone three years.
When did ye hear from him lastw
"Five months ago he was sailing by
Madagascar, and hadn't time to write
much"
"Las" said the man solemnly, "ye'll
not hear from Bill in hurry againr'
~ expect not. There amt much use
Of his writin' seeing ! never can answer
his letters, asI don't know If they d find
him."
Lass he'll never write to you any
more"
"That's pity for Bill, for he likes me,
i know"
The man looked at her in astonish-
ment.
"Bill Walkers wife, I'll commence my
yarn"
"Sailor I'm waiting"
aye know Eve months ago Bill sailed
around Madagascar. was along wi
Bill. Him and me was fast chuIns.
Whatsoever be done, that done !.
Wheresomever he went, there went |.
When he writ ye, saw that ere letter.
When he thought of ye, knew that ere
thought. But there's storms at sea, lass
There's storms as make ye think Of home,
and all that's near and dear, while heaven
seem to be a-f .htin' wi the sea, which |
uprises to bufrt it with mad waves.
There's storms as make even a sailors
heart quiet, while his lips cuss and cuss
at the work he's trying to do. Who
knew more about storms nor Bill and
met We follered the sea for nigh twenty
year. and never separated. ] can't tell
ye all, for yen feel bad"
"No won't, sailor. ] like TO hear you
talk. II sounds like old times"
"Old times, lass p
Eyes; when Bill used TO sit there and
tell his awful yarns, and try to make me
swallow them. You see, l never believe
all hear"
"fou don't think I'm deceiving ye, do
ye"
"Of course not, sailor. l don't think
anything like that. And so you mustn't
have that in your noddle. Go on now"
well, there comes storm one day.
The skipper comes TO us, and says, says
he, Lads, it's all up wi US, unless we
get out in ten minutes But, says Bill,
where'll we gor Anywhere ye can
says the skipper, says he. Ye see I can't
talk like book, and jest tell ye this
as il were. The ship had sprung sleak.
In fact, the whole side were stove in on
a rock, and the pumps was no use and
We was going down, and oh Bill
Walkers wife!-yer husband wouldn't
iorsake that ere ship"
That's Fight in him." she said, al
wouldn't have man who would
Iorsake his work when il got trouble