Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-03
NO. 81.
Tales aud Sketehes.
REUBEN LEIR.
RY TIE AUTHOR OF "PATTY."
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

Dinner-time came, and no Reuben; and
Mrs. Leir grew troubled. Her son had
said hu must weed the vegetables, so she
had guessed he was on the land-slip, but,
as the day went on, she decided that he
had driven over to Cloyton and would be
home tor supper.
Evening grew into night. The wind had
risen, and howled furiously round the cot
tage, and the rain heat against the win
dows. Martha Leir kept clear fire in
the open crate till past ten o'clock. Reu-
ben had never been so late. She could
not 90 to bed. She went to the door and
looked out but fierce current of air
rushed in, blew out her candle, and made
it hard work for her to shut the door
again.
HELL never come home through this"
she said "the wind is enough to blow the
cart over" At last she went to bed, but
it was not easy to sleep through the wind
and rain; and the feeling that she and her
son had parted without any reconciliation,
after the hard words that had been said on
both sides. helped to drive sleep away.
and even when it came she often reused
with terrified start ut the dreams that
came along with it.
She fully walked up about four o'clock.
Her room was filled with sunshine, and all
traces of the storm had disappeared.
When she last fell asleep, she had resolved
to seek for her son on the land-slip; but
now the bright morning light made her
ashamed of the terror that she had suffered
through the night.
All at once, she started. listened eagerly,
and then. dressing herself as quickly as
possible. she hurried down stairs. Roger,
the donkey, had been reared by her hus-
band, and it was his bray that she had
heard. She was sure she should know it
among hundred. and she ran down.
stairs in the glad hope that Reuben would
meet her at the gate.
GLOW frightened must have been
about him. she said, with a smile of pity
at her own weakness. Her heart beat SO
fast that she could not move as quickly
as she wished; but when she reached the
gate her face changed to pale-gray hue.
and her limbs shook. She stretched out
one hand mechanically, and clung for
support to the gate. There was Roger.
trying to raise the latch with his broad,
soft nose; but Reuben was not to be seen.
Mrs. Leir looked at the donkey as if
she expected it to speak, and then she saw
that the cord by which it had been tied
was hanging from its neck. 1t had broken
loose from its fastenings, and had come
home without its master.
But Martha Leir's spirit soon revived.
1t was possible that, if Reuben had been
at work some distance off, he might not
at first have seen Rogers escape. and the
search for his donkey might have kept
him out too late to come home. And yet
there were no signs of fatigue about the
donkey; he was plainly hungry, and Mrs.
Leir opened the gate and let him in to find
his way to the she'd he occupied at the
back of the house. Then she hurried
back to her room, put on her bonnet and
cloak, and set off toward the sea.
The village round, and the yicarage and
the inn was still asleep when she reached
it: but in the green lane leading up from
the beach she saw coming toward her
wellknown figure in the blue garb of
fisherman. This was old Peter, and the
basket he carried showed his calling 1t
was filed with dabs and gurnet. while
over all was stretched huge and hide
Gus skate, more like sea monster than Il
fish fit for human food.
Peter was short, square man. with
little, twinkling eyes that were never
still.
"You be out early, missus. Now, had
a call to be stirring betimes, seeing as the
storm perwented | overnight from so do
ing, and twad bin mortal foolish to leave
good victual to 60 stinkin' afore it was
cooked; so just brings it across, and be-
time be in Mercombe, and has had bit
to eat and drink, they'll be up and stirring.
may be so bold ?"-and he peered ut her
al with hiS email ovoO
Martha Leir asked herself the same
question. She had not courage to tell the
universal gossip Peter that she was out
home all but the twinkling eyes were
fixed upon her-she was obliged to
answer.
I'm going to the land-slp." she said,
trying to appear unconcerned; "Reuben
has bit of land there"
"Aha that minds me there were sum
mat had to say to zee, Missus Leir. Tell
Reuben ed best not lose his time with
Miss Rosie at the quarry-side. Old Peter
keeps his eyes open. Her likes summat
trife faster than Reuben. l sighted her
and that French Gaspard a-walking like
sweethearts yesterday. A fine lad like
Reuben shouldn't be content with other
mems leavings."
Peter chuckled. He never took his eyes
from Mrs. Len face, and he saw that she
WINGED at his words
Good morning, Peter" she said stifiiy.
Il wish you luck with your fish, and
she climbed the style and proceeded to
mount the grass-cllff which leads to the
land-slip. But before she had taken many
steps she wished she had asked for Peters
company; he knew the country thorough
| ly, and, besides. he would have been a
help-help in what she dared not think.
She turned to look, but he was already
out of sight. She must go on bravcly
and face whatever misfortune she had to
encounter alone.
She reached the little shed and looked
under its low, thatched caves. Yes. there
was the donkey-cart. and hanging to a
/ x,1act Tho h.ol. OF, hit Of cord hu which Rauar