Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-03-16

woman. whose face revealed a fearful his
tory OF want, abuse. and II might be shame.
She was tall, black haired and eyed. not
above twenty years OF age. and if the sunk
! en- cheeks had been filled out, the sallow
complexion fresh. the emaciated form
plump-if she had been neatly clad and
the shadows banished frcR her face. would
have been more than ordinarily good look
ing. Now she appeared like woman
wrecked before she had passed girlhood.
Can | pass the night herc?" Sharp
asked, in the most kind tones he could
command.
Il don't know, was the muttered ans.
wer. and she glanced half terrified around
as one who lived in constant fear.
"Who, then, am to ask?'
The men"
Where are they?"
"Gone across the river to get whisky. [
wish the boat would sink TO the bottom
With them-wish every drop of strong
drink was burned up"
Il presume you will permit me TO come
Ia aud warm and rest until they come
back"
You can do as you please :" and she
turned away and resumed the work at
which she had been engaged.
You aust lead a very lonely life" he
and, il possible, learn something OF her his
tory.
Lonely enough. | haven't seen the
face of a woman in three months-nothing
but great brutes OF men"
They are wood-choppers, / reckon?"
wv d-choppers, gamblers and drunk
ards, and" she stopped suddenly as If
there was more behind that had better re-
main unuttcred-"but don't want to talk
about them. you are not stranger on
the river you know what Kind OF men live
in such God -forsaken places"
1T is not the first time, by many, that
have passed the night in their cabins. But
have generally found them TO be hospta-
bic and kind-hearted. men, even though
rough How long did you say you had
beeu living herc?"
Three months. and | wish was dead"
The tone was that OF utter despair-oue
in which all hope had died out-as il the
past was blahk and the future horror,
aud the dim eyes and trembling lips told
even more than the tongue. But Sharp
thought best not to notice 1t, and coutIn-
ued:
~ our people intend 10 make a perma.
nent woodward at this point?"
Il don't kuow-den't care. was born
on the river, IN sort of aat-boat. have
been going ever since, and never expect
to have any rest. Have YOU got the time
strangerl" and the din eyes suddenly
grew bright-ilashed with an avaricious
light.
III you mean watch, mo- he replied.
instantly put upon his guard, and thank
ing fortune there was no sign .: the valu-
able one he carried, but il you would
Ike % know the hour II must be very near
sunduwn."
Then they'll be back soon, a. hungry
as wolves and cross as bears mus, build
the fire and get supper" and she threw an
old shawl over her mead and was about to
90 out IN the pouring rain, when he inter-
ceptYi her.
1t l. not woman's place TO do such
things" he said. kindly. unless compell-
ed by dire necessity, and you are neither
strong nor we'll. Your men should have
seen that you were amply provided With
wood
They seetoit. Not single foot whould
either o. them stir even ii | was dying
Well. you remain in doors. | am al
ready wet, and even if were not would
not permit you to 20 out"
She looked at him IN astonishment-as
II she could not believe her senses that
there was even SO much of kindness in the
tnen for the first time for many "a day a
thank you, sir dropped from her lips.
With plenty of wood and an axe lying
near, John Sharp was not long in cutting
and bringing ID sufficient quantity, and
then taking up pail asked:
Where is the spring.
She pointed in the direction OF the woods,
but did not answer a word; she appeared
to be too much amazed TO do so, aud 81
lently watched him as he went forth. re-
turned, kindled the fire. and filed aud put
on the kettle. Then she questioned, in
those tremu!ous tones that revealed now
much the heart was stirred:
Are you married, sir?"
Not yet. he answered blushIng, "but
hope to be at some not very distant day
y our wife will be happy woman"
che sighed.
why" lie knew that she was mcn-
tally drawing a contrast with her own sit
uation.
Because you will be so very kind to
her." and the long-restrained tears burst
forth.
Il would be kind to any woman. hut
your question appears to imply that you
are married."
God help mel am. At least they say
| am. but | sometimes fear 1t is lie.
Hark! what sound was that
''Ouly the moaning of the wind"
The woman stepped to the little win
dow that overlooked the river. slid il back
and watched long and anxlously; but
at length. apparently satisfied. she return
ed TO her place by the fire and continued,
though in more guarded tones:
''Onc night-it is more than two years
ago now-they forced me to drink of their
cursed cups, and when was mad-knew
nor, cared not what l was doing-there
was some kind OF a ceremony, and when
became myself again they told me | was
married. and TO u man | hated above all
others"
''Why do you not leave him?'
Leave him? Great Heaven. how have
loDged to do so. hut dared not He would
kill me il lIe knew l thought of such a
thing
''HHe you no father to protect you?"
IL don't know. He calls himself so, but
l don't know and she shook her head
sadly.
And your mother?'
II don't remember her. Hark! they are
coming now. Not word of kindness to
me, don't even look at me, or shall suf-
Ter when you are gone. God only knows
what have gone through" and she re-
lEeateu 10 the Iuftner Sluc OF tne canln ana
began making a great rattling among the
few broken dishes that comprised the
store.
Sharp drew forth his pipe. lighted it,
turned his back upon her and began smok-
ing. though he was determined to see
more of her and plan some way for her to
escape. But even if opportunity offered he
could not take her with him, though there
would be no doubt Of her gladly going.
His little prairie blossom stood in the way,
and he was far too honorable to hold ou.
any false inducements, or do anything
that might cast even suspicion upon his
name. Still he was decided to aid her-to
give her little money so that she might
not be hopelessly in the power OF the men
she both hated and feared, and was reflect
ing upon the best plan, when the door was
swung open and man demanded, with an
oath, If supper was ready. Then, seeing
Sharp, he continued:
"Halloo. stranger! Where did you come
from2"
From the timber. | am hunting up
land and come to ask shelter for the night
Been here long?" and he glanced sus
niainnSlv frnp fha