Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-07
(Continusd from first page.l

of n woman's toilet She was ready a,
last. however: had caught up prayer book
and muff, and FASTENED down TO join me
The services had begun as we entered
the church which my mother attended.
Episcopalianism was not her tavorite form
OF worship, but she had consented to 90
with me to that church, fearing, suppose,
that otherwise | would not go AT all. Need
say that my choice had been decided by
the fact that Helen was a member (and a
most deveut one) OF that church +? con-
sidered myself fortunate in having been
able to secure a pew exactly IN front of
that which her family occupied, and thith-
er we directed our steps. 1t was situated
well up in the middle aisle, and as we en-
tered later than our wont, my mother, who
prided herself upon her punctuality, was
somewhat frustrated by the time we
reached it.
dearly beloved brethren. 'the Scripture
moveth u.s." repeated the clergyman, in
his full rich tones.
Captain Jinks, of the Horse Marines;
give my morse good corn and beans"
Where on earth did it come from? Not
words, you understand, only tinkle of
jig-a-jig,jigjig, jig-a-jig, curiously near
and distinct, and curously. horribly inap-
propriate to the occasion. | looked about
In doubt and amaze; SO did everybody
else. Had a lunatic strayed into church
that clear November morning, or-Sud-
denly my gaze fell upon my mothers tace
such scarlet, agonized face As 1t was !!
as her trembling fingers fumbled nervous
ly, but vainly, with the clasp OF the prayer
book which she held Ny eyes followed
hers downward, and the mystery was
solved.
Instead of her prayer-book. she had in
her haste caught up musical photograph
album. which was OF precisely the same
size and shape, never discovering the dit
ference until the fiendsh thing began to
rattle out its rollicking tune at this hor-
ribly opportune time
Captain links of the Horse Marines"
1t was all confused Bable of sounds
People stared, gigged and wondered.
My mother in wrath and agony, strug-
gold fiercely with her internal machine,
but to no end. The stopping part was
out OF order; the playing part was in hor-
ribly good order. She thrust it into the
prayer-book rack, and the contact with
the hard wood set forth the sounds with
redoubled distinctness. She hid it in her
mnff. but no amount of fur would mutfle
it. She threw IL upon the seat behind her
where it ratified away as merrily as ever.
She was Just about to sit upon it, when
hand was extended from the pew behind
us--a slender, delicate hand, faulllessly
gloved in pale silver-gray. The hand
closed over the box, and in another mo-
ment we heard the sounds growing faint
er and fainter, as Helen sailed down the
broad isle, leaving "a trail of music behind
her as she passed. Just as, with click,
the air changed to "Champaigne Charlie"
the door closed behind them, and only
ths clergymans voice broke the stiffness
which settled over the church.
looked at my mother. The look of
agony upon her face faded slowly to a
look of intense relief. She bent toward
me TO whisper something, and-broke ill.,
to a perfectly audible laugh 1t was
laugh of sheer nervousness, without
particle of mirth in ii. but laugh never
theless, positive and uncomfortable. Laugh
she must and laugh she did until her face
grew scarlet, and the tears flowed down
her cheeks, and she was fain to hide her
diminished head behind her muff-laughed
until in sheer dispair, she was Obliged
to fairly flee from the church Just as the
congregation rose for the 'Te Deum.",
V.
My mother and sat for long time
without speaking, on that memorable
Sunday evening. She was calm and com
posed now. would not be the first to
breach the subject, the only one upon
which felt inclined to talk Just then so
We sat silent in the dusky twilight.
Frederick" said my mother at last.
''Yes, mother"
Your Helen is brave girl"
81 am glad that you think so mother"
'Do you think. " said my mother slowly |
THAT she did 1t because am your moth
er. or because"
II think" said quickly, "that If any
thing would have prevented her doing it, |
it would have been the fact that you are
my mother"
"And that you were present" said my
mother nodding her head sagacously. Il
thought so. Frederick. we had CONVEX.
sation two weeks ago"
''On dancing, gambling and laughing
in church." | suggested, as my mother
paused.
Frederick. said my mother. severely,
will you be kind enough to let that sub
iect drop? Because | was a cantankerous
idiot and a sell-opinioned bigot, will you
leave me no place for repentance have
had new views of the fallibility of human
nature since then, and suppose may
take woman's privilege of changing my
mind
by all MEANS" | said laughing, "es-
pecially as you have fulfilled the conditions
so admirably"