Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-06

last. and sailed forth, all unconscious that
fate was working for me in case where
was utterly helpless.
II.
1t had rained for a week--a driving.
easterly storm. with occasional interludes
OF heavy, foggy weather. low gray skies
and damp. raw air. NV mothers chest
being weak. she was deharred from all
outdoor exercise during its continuance.
and. sooth to say. the time began 10 hang
very heavily upon her hands. Beading is
all very well for time, but when you
have all your lite been a busting notable
housekeeper. finding your highest pleas
ure in new AMI reconcile recipes. in
scrupulous and frequent cleansngs and
puriiyings OF your dOmicile from cellar to
garnet, your literary tastes are apt TO rust.
In city boarding house there j. little out
let for energy in any house wiiely direc-
ton. Therefore it is no wonder that my
mother soon began to stray about the par
lors with toriorn and hopeless express
sion. wistfully watching the various
groups, each deep in the mysteries of cas-
sino, Sancho Pedro, or such like unwhole-
some diversion for cards Just then hap
pened to be a mania with All OF rs.
Suddenly. as watched her on that es
pecial evening, saw her whole face light
up as she paused beside a group of tour
who were collected around IA small stand.
Naturally | strained my eyes and ears to
learn what could have produced that look
of placid and profound satisfaction; but
nv observations were all in vain. until
one of the group, rising with an apology
to the rest. politely utfared his chair To my
mother. He. being a comparative
stranger among Us, knew nothing ot her
peculiar ideas, win n were no secret TO
the rest of the house.
saw the look of laughing dismly eX-
changed among those who were left 4;
then, to my unOounded amazement. |
saw my mother subside into the offered
chair In another instant understood ii.
''Dominoes !" | heard her say, in IA
tone of satisfaction. 81 have never
played them since | was child, but |
was very fond OF them then. You seem
TO be playing some new game of which !
do not know the rules; but if YOU will
bear with my ignorance for while, !
make no doubt that | shall learn them
soon.
The others. with, fancied, hesitancy, |
began to instruct her in the laws OF the
game. Soon heard terms flving freely |
terms curiously familiar, but strange |
and uncanny as proceeding from my
mothers lips.
A flush" a 'pair, "straght flush
what could it mean9
II chipp' cried my mother, in tones of
wild excitement, but
TOO late y cried another voice. How
many counters have you p
twenty-five replies my mother, |
blandly and unsuspcously.
Instantly a twenty five cent stamp is
laid upon the table before her. She starts
back. cycling it with wild dismay. a hor-
rid suspicion creeps across her mind. and
looking across the table she gasps family, |
"What-what have | been playing p
Amidst a shout OF laughter the answer
reaches her, brokenly, family, but alas !
only too intelligibly.
"Playingp Why. penny ante to be
sure. The cards were all in use. so we
have been playing poker with dominoes
by way OF variety"
| must pass lightly over the tableau
which followed, or my talS will be too
long; over my mothers apologies, re-
morse, fearful explanations over her in
dignant refusal oi the money; her final
acceptance of it under protest, and its
subsequent dedication to the cause OF
missions. All this must leave to your
Imagination and pass to the next scene.
III.
Georgia had succeeded at last in her
efforts at persuasion. Georgia was my
cousin. and my fathers favorite neice. !
She was married now-married year
ago to Rudolf Aronach one of the best
fellows in the world and they had taken
mp their abode In Hoboken, that most
Of tn
the celebration of their wedding anniver-
sary that my mother had, after much hes
itaton. consented to 90.
at is to be a very quiet dinner" Geor
gia mad said 'but Rudolf has so many
friends who must be invited. that we have
decided to give it at the German Club in
stead of our own house. which is much
too small
Il am afraid it will be a very gay and
worldly affair." sighed my mother; "but
Georgia makes such point of il that, for
her sake, | suppose | must go. But re-
member, Frederick, if | see any signs of
dancing, leave at once, tor that | really
cannot counenance by mr. presence.
There is a point beyond which | will not
go"
OF course satisfied her with cheerful
Gan right, and she made her preparation
with sort OF resigned equanimity edfy
ing to behold.
My mother was handsome woman still,
in spite of her fifty years with a tall. fine
y moulded figure, delicate. cleu-cul
features unblarred yet by Time Z, ruthless
touch, SOFT blue eyes, and heaps upon
heaps OF snoww hite hair which gl,iencd
ike spun silk above her low broad fore
head. was very proud oil her a. ! looked
at her that evening in her -waepiog dfes,
OF black velvet, finished at throat and |
wrists with soft falls OF creamy lace. The
dress and laces had been my present to
her on ner last birthday, aud she had ac-
cepted them with mild reDuke at my
extraganee and wore them with an air OF
quiet protest. blended with subdued pride, |
which was charming.
Concluded tomorrow
H. II RNVNAEsaA