West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-09-22
TWO MINUTES.

Joe was not half as good-looking. but
Jennie liked him a great deal better:
and, indeed, it was only sometimes that.
IN caprice, she fancicd she liked Marx
Maldon at ALL
Joe ThurstOn was the driver and Mark
Maldon the fireman of freight-train No
%, which stopped regularly all the year
round at Redwood Station To let light
ming express No. 20 pass.
No. 80 whistled at l0:55 p. m. invaria-
bly,; at eleven Joe had Jennie i'm his
arms, kissing her almost to death This
was, of course, after they were married.
Jennie lived in the only house, and
kept the only store, there was at Red
wood, and all the company she had after
dark was her old grandfather and the
little dog-at least, till the train arrived.
and then Joe and Mark made their APP
pearance.
Thus the courting was done. Some
how, although each of Jennie's lovers
kept sharp eye on the other, yet both
found opportunities to propose. She ac-
cepted Joe, and when she Informed Mark
next night what she had done he turned
pale, and then congratulated her, and
when be got aboad his engine he was un-
sober.
1t was the beginning of his ruin; and
VI the night Jennie and Joe were mar
fieesnwhich was brief ceremony, as
Joe was pressed for time-Mark Maldon
was not in a condition To take his place
on the train, and on the day following
the company dispensed with his future
services.
From that time Mark, as the express
sion is, went to the bad. His little say
ings he proceeded rapidly to drink up,
and this dissipation made the usual
changes, and soon, in appearance, man
ners and speech, and the rest, he was n
different man.
Sometimes he dropped into the little
shop, and more than once Jennie spoke
to him i'm reproof, but with gentle
ness; it was only when she perceived
that those well-meant reproaches made
him Il great deal worse that she ceased to
offer them.
1t is terrible sight to see a human
being sinking in the dark and dreadful
pool in this way; but down, down he
went, and no mortal hand could save
him.
| don't know when or how il was, but
by imperceptible degrees Jennie grew
afraid of Mark Maldon. He had never
uttered one word Of love to her after her
marriage, nor had he seemed to like her
husband the less; but somehow when
ever she saw Marks white swollen face
coming in at the door, or beheId i'm the
distant woods his bent and furitive figure
gliding softly over the broken twigs and
dry grass like ghost, her heart felt a
nervous pang and she wished he would
60 away to live somewhere else, Or-was
it wicked THAT he might die and be at
rest
Matters went on much as usual till
one evening in October, when, about ten
O'Clock, looking up from her sewing.
Jennie beheld a pallid face at the win
dow staring in at her intently.
Something jumped into her throat.
and she could not stir nor speak But
then the face went away, and presently
the door opened and Mark came into the
shop.
Didn't know me, he said, advanc-
ing and leaning across the counter. 81
hope you are not frightened. Jennie. II
was thoughtless of me but Just wanted
peep at fireside-cOmfOrt, q happiness i
fear / have missed, eh? You did look
so coy and content sitting there, and I'd
give something handsome to have pretty
wife waiting at the hearth for me; and
really you mustn't mind my eavesdrop
ping, Jennie, will your
There was something mOurnfu i'm hi,
looks, voice and words that touched hel
deeply; and this was more noticeabl,
from the fact that for once he was en-
tirely sober.
Yes, Mark, you frightened me terri
bly,; but it's gone now. Why don't vot
do fetter-you know what / mean-anf
am sure you will not find il hard to pe
the pretty wife and the domestic happi
ness both"
He shook his head
Too late. I've missed my tin.
don't blame anybody, though-onlS m,
luck, you know. Joe is due pretty sooi
now isn't hc % Heialanced at the clocl
and nodded, and then said "Tve fcl
awfully tired and cold all the evening
and-and lonesome. ] don't believe
ever knew myself 30 be 50 lonely before.
and he laughed in q melancholy way
liddling at the same time with the scale
on the counter. And / declare" h
went on, glancing around oddly, this
such n pretty scene that tit makes m
heart ache, Jenny, ~ think ] have u
share i'm It, The pleasant glow of th
chimney corner for Joe, and th
cold and snow for Marx! Such is fat,
and a fellow oughtnt TO complain, ougl
heg"
Jennie never felt 30 uncomfortable ]