Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-21

lage one day, he saw buxom girl at IL Q
window; and leaning over the fence
called out
Martha, hear there's quilting COM
ing off before long at your house"
Yes, sir, the quilts my own work.-a
rising sun. with square and compass in
the heart of it. Mother said if | ever got
i, done should have quilting just like
those she used to have when she was
young" replied the girl.
''Ain't you going TO invite me, MarthaP"
was the next question which startled the
village girl.
why. deacon.- she cried. looking al
the hitherto grave man, to discern ii he
had-as the Irish say-"taken leave OF his
senses" "You go to young folks quilt
ing'"
Certainly will, if I'm asked, said the
deacon, smiling, Your mother can tell
you how expert used to be at chalking
the line, snufling the candles and throwing
the apple pairing, in old times
OF course he got an invitation, and be-
fore many hours had elapsed. it was
abroad that Deacon Braden was going to
dance at Matte Borland's quilting, and
that folks thought he was going crazy.
For the first time in quarter of a CEN
tury the deacon set off for trip to Bos-
ton; and. as Ketury said, "he came back
made over all newr' From the crown OF
his steeple-topped hat to the soul of his
tallow-soaked cow-hides, he was renewed
10 the outer man. He had even exchang-
ed his porcelain shirt buttons with which
Ketury had always adorned his pl lin CO l.
ton shirt, the deacon appeared with gold
studs in nicely polished linen shirt bos-
ON, gold sleeve buttons, and divers other
worldly vanities such as made great
stir in the Cedar Greek meeting house ;
but it was only because he wore such
clothes; others there had always dressed
as well. You may be sure the young
folks stared at him, as he sat. dressed
thus, with Mr. and Mrs Borland, looking
on at the sports of the quilting; and the
question was whispered from one to anoth-
er:
"What on earth has come over ID aeon
Jehiel p
They soon fonnd that the autumn sun
had come out in brighter radiance than
its earlier glory, and that life's Indian
summer had come for him with bright
skies, with flowers, and with the singing
of birds in the heart.
One morning, soon after this, the dea-
con called his sister-in law and her daugh-
tiers into the parlor. and said
81 have plan to lay before you.
shall need this house for myself, now.
You may live beside me in the stone cot
tage, or l will build you little house in
the village"
I'VE will stay as near you as We can !;
but who Is to take my place here P' asked
the widow, in amazement.
you remember Matilda Day, the gin
to whom gave my pet COW Oily. on her
wedding day. A few weeks ago heard
OF her for the first time in many long years.
Her husband was never worthy of her.
lie ran throug h her property and his own,
then took her into wilderness to live,
away from all privileges OF schools,
churches, and society. She's had hard
life. She buried her oldest children, and
was left alone. very poor, and three
young boys.
From boyhood up, | had always ex-
pected to marry Matilda, but was too
slow in telling her so. The rich farmer
from the next town stepped in and mar
rled the only woman | ever loved.
choked down my grief, held up my head.
gave her my best COW, danced at her we'd
ding, kissed her, wished her much ioy,
and then went home with broken heart.
1t was long time before could bear To
see the sun shine, after that. Life and all
around me-but just my mother-was
changed. l became gloomy selfish man.
But God came, and brought peace and life.
and then sought to do ali could for
others for His sake.
As time went on The wound healed. but
Tho ramaipa1 7 4
awkward man in the esteem of others.
and so | kept out of the wav, except when
duty called me forward. | had forgotten
that the world, in itself, had any charms
till you came here, and brought the fresh
air and sunshine to these dull, dark rooms.
when you brought home that rose gera-
mum in full bloom, ii carried me back
twenty five years, when one just like il
stood in Matilda Days window The
songs the girls sing are the same she
sung. newly arranged, and with other
names.
Not many weeks ago l had, as you know
some dealings in stock with Carver, the
Western man, who staid over night with
us. In talking with him, said.
II suppose you never happened to meet
with man in your State named Waterson
Blake"
Certainly | have a THOUSAND times.
Did you know him ?" he said.
When told him he was almost towns
man of mine, he said
Poor fellow he made sad wreck of
bright prospects. He died poor. three
years ago. and left wife aud boys ia a
sad condition; but she's jewel of wo-
man. Everybody loves her. We would
all have been glad to help her, but she had
her own idea of independence which she
wished to instil intol her BOYS. So
she gave the incumbered farm over To
Blake's creditors, moved into the next
town. and set up school for little Girls"
Before he went away the next morning.
| drew a check for one hundred dollars.
and sent it to the boys, from an old school
mate OF their mother and resolved to de.
wise some plan to start them in life.
The more | thought OF it. the more felt
that Matilda Day could make the world
new to me yet and wrote aud told her
so.
Next month am going West to bring
her home. wan, you to stay with
us till you get ready home of your own.