Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-20
NO. no.

ieit sure was losing all my strength,
and would 90 to the bottom. Oh, you
good soul. you dear soul how ever did
yon get to me in this water-logged craft ?"
1T has seen its best days. certain, !" said
the widow, tugging at the oars.
You don't look able for such work"
said the girl.
81 have seen better days." was the quiet
answer.
And then-oh, sufficient reward for all
her efforts this real lady, this fair young
girl with the soft hands and the pretty
bathing dress, actually replied, II thought
So"
Here, give me an oar" she added, still
painting. But, my dear soul, We'll never
be able to row down to that point, where
| left my clothes, and can't walk to the
hotel; I'm awiully tired. Can't you PIT
me ashore at your place, and send word
for me down yonder ?''
The little dark cabin on the shore
brigtened up with an unwonted lustre as
the widow sheltered her young charge,
and changed her wet garments for some
of her own.
"lf my Tom would only come, I'd send
him for your things"
"Oh, no matter I'll wrap your shawl
about me aud walk down myself after
I've rested bit. I'm not hurt you know,
only scared. Dear me, how l was scared
My old nurse used to teach me not to
scream but if hadn't screamed, where
should have been now, wonder7"
Mrs. Minton would gladly have parted
with the last shred she possessed, and
gone shivering the rest of her days, to
see her worn-out gown donned so hand
somely by that bright lassie.
They have seen better days, the clothes
miss, and I'll not deny that they've been
in good company in their time but they're
not lit for lady now"
Her companion laughed, pretty, mis-
chievous laugh. She read the weakness
of her rescuer, and treated it tenderly.
"Whatever lady has worn is fit for a
lady to wear" she said, and forthwith
wrapped herself, smiling. in the old gray
shawl.
And at that moment Tom, with his red
shirt cleaning in the setting sun, and a
string of fish on his shoulder, stood in the
doorway.
He stopped when he saw the guest
standing upon the hearth stone, a bright
hre behind her, and the kettle boiling
cheerily. She nodded to him Familiarity.
Tom thought he must be dreaming
Tom and | are acquainted" she said.
''Are you?' responded the astonished
widow.
YES" said the girl. 1--WE watched
Tom many time walking along shore in
his red shirt, and once he took me and
father out rowing. Tom, your mother
saved my life.
Saved your life ~ echoed Tom. who
never in all his life had heard OF his
mothers doing anything before.
Tom, stupid and staring, was hurried
Off in search of the missing garments.
And meanwhile his mother betook her.
self to making cup of tea for her pro-
tegee. 1t was wonderful how a little
warmth of human feeling had reused
this woman to life and activity again.
When Tom returned, laden with vari-
Gus articles of apparel, the two were qui-
etly slipping their tea together at the round
table.
He did not return alone, however, Fol-
lowing him came Il tall gray-headed gen
tleman.
Here's father! cried the girl, spring
ing forward. "Oh, father, this good lady
has saved my life !"
Lady The widow Minton wanted to
kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pronounc-
ed the words.
"Well, my dear" said the old gentle
man. good-humoredly pinehing the plump
cheek, ''she has done it very thoroughly.
You certainly don't look very near death
just now
Whereat the story. with due enlarge
ment and variation, was told him with
pretty pout.
The father smiled, but also he fllrtive-
ly wiped away tear.
"Well, madam" said he, courteously,
accept my cordial thanks for looking after
my little madcap Belle. She's my only
child You see, and as full of pranks as
dozen"
Belle playfully put her hand over his
mouth. IL won't have my character ira
duced where they've been so good to
me-" she cried. And, oh, father, isn't
this beautiful place-such view of the
water mean to come down here every
day to do my sketching"
'Fm afraid" said the sire, shaking his
head, that this good lady will have cause
to wish she had thrown you over board
like her And I've fallen in love with
Tom long ago, you know"
Tom blushed painfully. Something
strange and new stirred in his mind.
did not sweeten his thoughts
as they did his mothers for Tom had new
er seen better days, and felt as if he was
being made a jest of.
A week passed, during which the young
girl strolled almost daily to the cabin.
When she was there Tom seldom entered
the house. He had grown shy and sulky;
he sat on the shore darkly brooding, or
went off silently to his fishing
One morning Belle and her father de.
parted. Belle kissed the withered cheek
Of her friend, and that was all. For when
mention bad been made of helping her
the widow had drawn her.
self sharply up, all the lady shining in her
eye.
II may have seen my best days." she
said "but | haven't come down to that
yet And if needed any reward, I've
lad it now," she added. as she felt the
soft blood mantling in the cheek that Belle
lad kissed.
Long after the two had left, Tom went
bput with a alnud