Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-01-13

the little ones two years ago AZ Manchester,
and since then I've been roaming about in
search of him, and il il hadn't been for the
rain this blessed morning, which made me
take shelter here, perhaps | shouldn't have
found him at ali. His names Tom Kidd and
not kiddini, as You call him. On, miss,
you've had lucky escaped"
All the time the woman had been speaking
her five children had not in the slightest de-
gree relaxed their hold upon their long-iost
father, but clung TO him with a pertinacity
that made the wretched creature seek pillar
for support. As for poor Susan the words
seemed to scar into her brain: but TO doubt
what she had heard was impossible when she
glanced at the helpless harlequin and saw
bis wretched plight.
TAKE me home, cook-take me home"
she said, resigning herself to her faithful
friend; then entering one Of the cabs which
had awaited the conclusion OF the projected
marriage she fell into = swoon.
When she got back 10 the little house down
the news II transpircd that her friends knew
scarcely any more Of kiddini than did Susan
herself; they had met him at the abode OF an
acquaintance, and, on The strength OF vague
intimation that at any time they would be
glad TO see him whenever he passed that way,
he had become a constant visitor To the
house for some weeks prior TO his meeting
with Susan.
An overwhelming sense OF the narrow es-
cape she had had so preyed upon the mind
OF our heroine that severe Illness followed;
but the Jobbinses- hearted people as
they were-insisted upon her being removed
back 10 their house, where the skill OF the
family doctor and the tender nursing of cook
soon restored Susan to health, While she
was III there was daily inquiry made at the
area. gate by Mr.. Perks' shop-b boy relative to
the invslid's progress; and al last, when the
p.Af~ k.ar Nht n
Perks himself called. He blushed deeply
when he encountered the gaze OF cook, and
pleaded that he had given his boy holiday;
bat cook was a little bit too experienced TO
be deceived by such an excuse as that.
She asked Mr.. Perks II he would not step
into the Kitchen to rest himself just Tor few
minutes, at which the grocer hesltsted; but
after desperate effort he followed his friend
down the area steps. He had not expected
10 see susan, or OF course he would not have
come into the kitchen; but when he was fair
~ inside the door and saw her wasted form
enyeoped in warm shawis before the fire he
could not retreat with dignItywithout speak.
ing. Just al thatmomeni cook remembered
that there were some fowls TO be dressed for
dinner, and that she must see about them
without delay: 20 giving Mr.. Perks q hearty
grip Of the hand. and informing him that he
knew his way out when he wanted 10 go,
this srtful cook beat a hasty retreat and,
closing the door behind her, left the young
people alone.
1t was very awkward and In their inner
most thoughts both considered cook stupid,
laundering thing.
The topic OF the weather Is soon exhausted,
aud Perks deleacy would not allow him To
converse much about Susan's Illness, know.
ing the causes that had led 10 IL. so they sat
silently looking into the fire until Susan,
with her face suffused with bushes, said:
al have for long time been wanting 10
confess 10 you that waxin the wrong when
We quarreled, but have not had the courage
10 do So Nv Illness has taught me much
among other things that | ought TO ackuowl.
edge a wrong when committed, and that
ought never TO Intentionally wound an honest,
trusting heart. Mr.. Perks"
mo, Susan, call me Tom, as you used TO
do" interrupted Mr. Perks, his face glowing
with as much color as the flaming Goals into
which he gazed.
"WelI, then, Tom, II you wish 1t. feel
that did you wrong, ana ! Know l caused rus. =
you distress OF mind at the same time; hut
am heartily sorry now, and l want you 10 for
give me- VIII yonr'
She raised her face as she concluded and
looked so peadingly at him that Tom Perks
felt biz lump rise In his throat which rem
dered him speeches.; but he seized her hand
and gave 1t so hearty shake that his ferynr
proved almost Too nuch ioi hS' "SaA '''ui'
ton.
Tom" she added, when abe had recov.
cred little. "you warned me once against
making a mistake. ! was q foolish girl then
and disdained your advice; had been wise
should have needed your words, for they have
proved only too true
But" gasped Mr.. Perks, mistakes may
be corrected, and IL is never too late TO mend
Let US suppose the past eighteen months
D. I'D i'm a dream In abort knSan. lFt
us be to each other as We were once, Ny
heart beats as warmly as ever for you. VIII
II take me long, do you think, TO regain your
loveYr
A smile Of happiness passed over sussn's
face as che held forth her hand; and a5 he
eagerly grasped IT,. II really seemed AS though
the past had been dream, for even when
Kiddinps influence was strongest upon her
there had always been lingering thought oi
Tom Perks in her memory; and now that he
was again by her side che experienced a
sense of peace 10 which she had long been a
stranger.
How pleasant was the story told In Mr..
Jobbins' kitchen that autumn morning. And
yet twas an old tale But whether whispered
under shady trees, In drawing room, attic or
cellar, 10 has the same interest as OF yore, aud
uatil time itsef shall cease will remain ever
fresh and dear.
The following year, when spring was laps.
ing into summer another wedding party set
out for the parish church; and this time there
was no interruption Ia the service nor oppo-
sition on the part OF Mrs. Jobbins and her
daughters, who persislently expressed their
Opinion that In marrying Mr.. Perks susan had
indeed acted wisely. The Ri0 In the savings
bank was not required, and In that secure
depository the money remained for many a
year aficrward.
As for Kiddini, he "a about the country
pursuing his profession, but Susan has never
seen him since the memorable occasion AT
the church-porch, and save at Christmas.
time, when her bussand--now the owner OF
three grocery establishments IN the metrop-
oils--takes herself and the children to see
pantom.me, her thoughts never revert IN
harlequins or their associations.
Amid her prosperity Susan does got forget
her old acquaintance, aud there is always
hearty welcome Tor cook whenever she likes
70 call. susau's sympathetic heart often
bleeds for her friend, who has married \
house-psinter, earning in his best times
twenty-eight shillings per week, and who y
given 70 spending his wages In drink, ana
then iil-heatiDg HE wife. Perhaps the time
IL shortly ut haad when cook viii leave her
husband and take up her abode permanent
ly with the Ferkses.
Thus Susan, after nearly committing an
act which would have wrecked her future,
has become transformed from the himmsst
bousenaid 10 the happisst wife 10 the district
Of Blooms bgi ry-- Eefyf1gtd annual.