Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-23

face grew harder "I'll bear it myself, sir.
You've got words of my boy; | can stand
it,"
The fellow shuffled. hesitated. Brady
moved away; Mrs. Van Pelt, when she
could do nothing else to help MAJ garet,
patted her shoulder and purred like
motherly cat.
Pete told me, ma amt may hev bin
a lie be was an awful liar--that he'd run
off from his wife and kerried away the
bow Mrs. Van Pelt nodded vehemently.
'He said he wished he hadn't done 1t"
II knew he'd be sorry for me, said
Margaret.
.fes. ma'am, because He left the
child with some kin OF his up the Salines
old folks. There was a skirmish nigh
thar, and the house was burned, and the
old man and woman got off"
Johnny
"Well, ma'an, IL 'spose they sort of
forgot the child, for Brodie said when they
went back next day the house was burned
to the ground, and there was only one or
two little bones in the ashes
She turned to Mrs Van Pelt, quite calm
with a silly smile. If he's dead III just go
back to the farm; and then suddenly
slipped down in heap on the ground
''It's worse than murder, You re a
butcher, you fellow " cried the widow,
STOPPING over her, while the women from
the house crowded out.
In the afternoon Mrs. Van Pelt sent for
Brady and held shrill, vigorous coloquy
with him: "lt's my only chance, jim
colonel. ] must 60 to my dying nephew.
You can send detachment with me up
the Kanawha and put me safely inside the
lines"
Jim fumbled bis hat sheepishly In the
presence OF Mrs. Van Pelt he felt himself
all the stable-boy "Well, mum, jist as
you say. About this poor woman 2'
"0h, she asked to be sent back to Mrs.
Potter and Major Camp offered to take her
by rail from Parkersburg. Poor Joe
on parole, eh ? Well he was always a
kind-heartsd boy, but he's in the wrong !;
he must take his punishment. | am glad,
James, you have had discretion enough
to know on which side the Lord is fight
ing"
The end of the affair was that the morti-
fed, miserable little major took the night
train with Margaret, and two hours later
Brady sent guard with Mrs. Van Pelt to
cross the river below Parkersburg and es-
through the southwestern counties.
Margaret remained with Mrs. Potter un-
ill spring. She spoke at times of her faith
er and mother on the farm in Centre
county, and of how it was her duty to be
with them. But her iron will was broken
she was weak in both body and mind.
Mrs. Potter humored her, petted her as a
child. and the treatment was healthful.
Il, &.s,l. ho, l,,Nf
drive through the upper part of the town,
where the gardens of the houses slope
down to the river. The roses were in
bloom, galy dressed children played in
yards. the low hills were green with paw
pow bushes.
THAT is hospital under the care of the
Sisters of st. Joseph, pointing to large
house surrounded by trees and built on the
bank of the broad glancing river Il
used to 60 there often, but avoided 1t this
winter, knowing your prejudice against
the Catholics
Il have heard they were good women,
said Margaret gently. II used to be sure
know who were right and wrong. but
am not sure of anything now, except"
Except what child Pr
II know that He is taking care of John
ny"
Yes yesln hastily. "Shall we go in
They are good women"
She thought the sight of the sick. the
blind and the orphans, and their tender
nurses. might help 10 restore Margaret's
mind to healthier tone. But she listened
duly while the sisters eagerly told Mrs
Potter OF their patients and their winters
work. 1--WE have one case in which you
will be sure to be interested" said the
Mother-"'Le fills of du regiment we
call him--a boy found by the Second Vir-
GINA in burning house. and taken by
them through the winters campaign they
brought him up the river here month
ago. and left him with us"
She stopped, looking at Margaret, who
stood speeches. before her, her lips NOV
ing without sound.
Yes! yesr' cried Mrs. Potter where
is the child ?-Oh, Margaret, if it can be p
The nun was woman. after all she
guessed much of the truth, ran before
them across the hall and threw open the
door of the chapel. A little fellow was
placing flowers on an altar John
here, Johnr' she cried.
But his mother sank on her knees, hold
ing out her arms, and could not reach him
He was a big, stout boy--a thorough
boy-and he Rugged and kissed and shout
ed and tugged at her until she could nei-
Their faint nor cry. but had to come back to
life in hurry.
When she had risen to her feet, her
quick mothers eye ran over the boys's
strong limbs, his carefully brushed hair
and neat clothes. Then she looked up to
the other woman and took her hand. The
sister understood her, though she did not
say word. "Tut tut that was a tr1e
she said, You would have done just the
same. We are all His children, )" crossing
herself. whereat, John Knox crossed him
self too. There was a blue ribbon about
his neck from which he had been trim
ming with flowers picture OF the Infant
Jesus with his mothers arms about him.
Margaret took up the cross about John
ny's neck, but did not remove it. when
was looking for my boy" she said to
the sister, 'it was the Child Jesus
thought, aud OF His mother"
1t is time TO end our sketchv recollec-
lions Of war-limes in the old border-town