Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-10
. rCopcluded fiom first rsgc.l

venerable man, auu nc "i""yS p
visitors honey and mowers. but oniy
Nellie, and her husband, ana chi'o-
rem. knew "old Mr.. Jacques as some
thing more than a strange man, or
curiosity. Twice, at least, every summer,
a horse and rude wagon were driven by
Nellie's husband or by her own hands
over the rough road to Mr.. jacques. Al
most every month in the year jacques
came to see Nellie and her family. 1t was
the tie that bound him to the outward
world.
Nellie used to say to her husband that
although she could not imagine what it
was, she was sure there was some sad
secret in Mr.. jacques life. Her eyes
grew dim with tears, as She saw that her
own little Mary, so timid and shy toward
all others, vet found a friend in this lonely
and aged man. She wondered at the pref
ty blush that came to his withered checks
as the quiet child welcomed and kissed
But no one knew the life OF the thoughts
of BENJAMIN Jacques. The dreary years
the brightness of summer, and the winters
dreadful cold. found him dwelling ever
alone in the silence of the great woods.
As the long decades were passing, the sill
yer of his locks chadged 10 snow.
1t came to pass that message from the
years gone by penetrated to his seclusion,
reaching his saddened spirit more TO
wound than to cheer.
It was an August night and was raining.
Jacques sat in his cabin, reading news
paper dated three months back. The light
of a candle which he held in his hand fell
upon his face, revealing how strangely
and sadly it was chastened by his lonely
life. The rain beat dull and dreary upon
the window pane. A mouse nibbled in
cupboard and then ran across the floor
A low, moaning sigh came from the for
est. Jacques put his candle upon the
table, pushed up his spectacles, closed his
eyes, and sat thinking. There were
strange stories in the newspaper he had
been reading, about spirits coming back to
this world. He was not surprised by the
idea. He had felt his deceased mother
near him many times, when he was utter
" heart-broken and weeping in his soil
tary hours. But he did not think it likely
that the spirits would make noises and dis
turb people. He as satisfied that the ac-
counts in the newspaper were not true.
Then he wondered again what it was that
he had felt coming all day. Perhaps it
was nothing. Yet why should be feel it
always before people came? He would
not have believed such things years ago.
Jacques opened his eyes. Was that a
faint lightning fash upon the window? 1t
was too long and steady for that. He rose
and peered out into the blackness OF the
rainy night His window overlooked the
lake. Across, upon point of land that
projected out from the main shore, rud-
DIV fire was burning. Its red glare came
in a misty, shimmering track across the
waves.
'Some hunters, probably" thought
Jacques. And yet the hunters never came
to the lake, and there was no fishing there.
II must be somebody who has come all
the way through the woods on the old
mining road, j" he said to himself. He tried
to believe it was not remarkable; but he
did not sleep very soundly that night for
thinking of it, although the beat Of the
rain upon the roof soothed him.
The next morning was clear and beautl-
full. The green, wet woods were steam
ing in the warm summer air, and the bees
were humming. At eight O'Clock Jacques
sat reading in his open doorway. A
bright, active boy, dressed in blue suit,
and about twelve years of age, came
along the lake shore, and to the door Of
the cabin.
''Good morning, Mr. Jacques" said the
boy, with a CHEEKY smile; and his clear
blue eyes looked kindly and curiously at
the long white hair and grave, sad face Of
the hermit. Jacques pushed his spectacles
back upon his forehead, and turned his
dreamy look upon the eager young face
before him.
The boy proceeded to tell jacques that
he and his older brother had walked sixty
miles along the roads through the woods
for vacation, and were camping over on
the point. He said that as it was Sunday,
they should stay over until tomorrow.
They told us back at Smith S that you
lived here, and that your name was MIR.
Jacques" said the boy with juvenile volu-
bility; and turning partly away, the lad
commenced biting the green bare from
fresh birch-branch in his hand. glancing
at man meanwhile, to discover what i'm
preston he was making. When the her
NIT spoke a few kind words in reply, the
boy seemed to judge that it would be safe
to develop his policy. "You see, Mr..
jacques" he said, 1--WE want some new
potatoes from your garden, and | guess
you will hate to let us have any"
The boy found little difficulty in arrang
ing with kind-hearted Mr.. Jacques. The
hermit was ready to do more than Was
asked of him. lie urged that the lads
should come and stay at his cottage.
The boy departed and soon returned
with his comrade They brought KNAPP
sack full of trout and rifle. The elder
boy was also dressed in blue; he was
grave and sedate.
The young takers made it lively at the
cottage. Jacques had not heard such
music there for many a dreary day,
since the picnic. three years before.
The boys looked at the bees and the
flowers and the younger one explored all
the surroundings Of the place. viii, the
elder, sat with Jacques and conversed
quietly of the news of the day. The con
versation turned upon books. The boy
was well-iniormed.
You are student said Jacques.
when l was young, ! too had some
schooling; in my solitude still find in
reading my chief enjoyment and solace.' -
And then Jacques produced a worn vol