Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-13
Miseellanfous.
OLD ABEL's MILLSfONE.
BY MARIAN NoRTHCOTT.


The ascent to Mr.. Webb's apartments
was to stranger All experiment attended
with many difficulties. AS in most poor
localities, children were in great force;
and on wet days it was the pleasing Gus
tom OF the juveniles belonging to the
house in which Abel resided to employ
heir intantine leisure in games upon the
stairs or on the landings OF the two floors.
The house was let out to several families
and, as the ladies Of the establishment
more closely resemble Leah than Rachel,
4 degree OF mirth and reckless gayety
pervaded what might DE termed the lungs
If the house. the children too. (being
naturally OF hospliabe aud social dis
posilior) were in the habit of inviting
neighburiug Juveniles to share their ex-
nilerative picasures--a circumstance tend
ing in no small degree TO increase the
noise commencing ut daybreak and ordin'
arily ceasing about midnight.
In total darkness it was certainly con-
using to have ones ears saluted with a
very babel of voices; to fluid the balus-
trades occupied by aspiring young gym
nasts to place ones foot upon warm
Yielding mass OF humanity, that would
hereupon send forth Yell Of remon-
slrancc, speedily bringing from the re-
tirement oil the washing tub and Ironing
table ,Oiling. perspiring mammas; or to
lose ones balance by treadiDg upon mar
bles or other awkward obstructions by the
way. With the little difficulties, howev-
er. one soon became familiar; SO that
when Abel Webb had opened the street.
door he speedily reached his own apart
ments.
How cosy the little place looked 1t was
pattern of Deatness and domestic COM
tort. The table was laid for supper, q
uice crisp loaf being flanked by a piece OF
cheese (placed upon small plate in order
10 make 1t look more than il really was,)
and, yes! really gigantic cucumber.
Polly. who was kneeling before the fire,
vigorously plying the bellows and incit-
ing the Goals to u perfect fury of flame.
had not lighted a candle, aud certainly
none was wanted. The bright blaze
brought into iull view the nettle-geranium
occupying the table in front of the window,
1t lit up the photograph of the mild-look-
ing woman (Polly's mother) on the other
side OF the room; it showed the BRASS
knobbed piece OF furniture, to outward
view bureau, but TO the initiated fire.
quenter of Abefs apartments nothing
more nor less than turn-up bedstead, in
which the father himself slept; and it re-
Elected its brightness upon the sideboard,
with its ornaments of ware, a few books.
and the old-fashioned work-box, contain
ing so many relics dear to Abel and his
daughter; among others a tiny baby's
shoe. once worn by that boy, now dead,
on whom Abel had lavished such wealth
OF paternai love. "a
why. you're rather late, father, aint
your inquired the girl. springing 10 her
feet, and giving old Abel such "a sounding
kiss that II might almost have been heard
on the pavement outside, if any body had
been curious enough to listen. I've been
home a long time"
"Well. Poll, I've been to the saving.
bank. and afterwards to Aldermanbary--
you know where. | took five pound ten
and MIR. Baker junior, spoke 50 kindly
that the time slipped by and twas seven.
O'clock afore knew where | was Almost"
"Heaven bless Mr.. Baker for thvse kind
words' responded Polly, giving her
father another hearty kiss AS she unwound
the woOlen comforter encircling his neck.
Then, after pause. she asked, docs not
that make ninety pounds you have paid ?"
Yes. ninety pounds. It's good deal,
ain'l i,P All saved, too, by you and me,
Polly"
20 father, don't do much to it. If you
wern't to deprive yourself of comforts.
why. we shouldn't have paid off twenty OF
itp"
Don't say that, Polly If it was not
for your earnings, how could | put my
wages into the savings bank, as | do near
ly every month P"
"Well, daddy dear. you know IT'S only
you I've got TO live for" said the girl
archly.
WHATS that you sayP" replied old
Abel, highly pleased with his daughters
remark, but deter mined not to be hood
wiuked. "How about Tom Smith Dye
mean to say that YOU don't care for him /?
"iIush! Don't speak so loud"
Polly blushed. and looked half-fright-
ened toward that corner OF the room
where the big bureau cast lis shadow.
why, there's nobody can hear.
Yes, father. the children might ; and
children sometimes make lot OF mischief" !"
observed the wiseacre, Polly. Then
with desperate intention Of changing the
subject, she said, You must have u great
Scufs s"'S "''NS'f W Joo oto SttO W
have the rheumatics, as you had 'em
last Year Oh. saw a beauty in the
Horseterry road to-night-so thick, with
nice warm lining inside, and the price on
ly eighteen shlllings. Secondhand, of
course. but almost as good as new"
"Oh, | think | can do without it this
year. Let's save the eighteen shilIings,
and send 1t to Mr.. Baker, junior"
mo, shan't allow anything of the sort,
I'm just as anxious as you are to pay our
debts. but d rather work my fingers to
the bones than that you should suffer an
other year as you did last ...'..., -.
"And l. too" added a strong, manly
voice, which seemed to issue from Mr..
Webb's sleeping-placs. 9W sf /
Polly gave shrek. then burst into q
ringing laugh that seemed to fill the room
with Joyous harmony, like the sound of
bells upon frosty night; and Abel, turn.
ing suddenly in his chair, saw the burly
form of Tom Smith emerge from the dus.
ky corner. -----
"Hallo. Tomr shouted Abel. 80
you've been listening. Well. luckily. you
amt heard no secrets, / suppose you are
one Of those children that makes mischief,