Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-25
fCar timed from first page.l

DAILY from us cdT niuSs That inc iauiiJ
were Supported. They saw him walking
bravely to town early every morning, car
ryipg his dinner in little pail, his jacket,
whose buttons were all old bachelors, in
that no one of them had mate, fastened
To the throat. where it was met by a
turned paper collar and tlashy magenta
necktie.
Squire May liked the boy. O1ce, he had
called on some errand, he stood tor u long
time puzzled and curious over a box OF
geological specimens which the Squire had
collected What are them things?" he
asked.
fossil leaves.' replied Squire May.
I'll give myself vacation every summer,
and go of for week or two geologic
ing."
The boy asked a few more questions be-
fore be left, which showed him bright and
observing A fortnight more and he came
again.
1--WE been reading all about them
things" he said. The sale of books was
not brisk at Conflict, and during the inter
walls of trade Gus had plenty of time TO
read. Still the Squire was surprised to find
that the boy had gone through volume
OF Hitchcock and one OF Hugh Miller, max
ing himself as intelligent master oil their
contents as it was possible TO be without
the aid OF specimens. II recited what
had read daytimes every night to mother,
he continued, land if father would only
p lend me Sarsaparila. that's the mule, Id
like to 90 jollygzing with YER"
.'rll take you with me in my buggy"
4. said the Squire, 'if you can obtain leave
of absence from the store"
Through their three years of neighbor
hood the friendship between the two grew
and strengthened. till at the time at which
our story finds them the Squire remarked
to his wife that he didn't believe he could
think more of Gus Antoine il he were his
own son, and he intended soon TO COM
mence reading law with him. There was
one other who looked forward to the boy 5
visits with pleasure, the Squires only
child, little Hope. She had gone straw
berrying and hazel nutting with him be-
fore he had won her fathers favor. All
the Antoine boys had strongly marked
French features, with startled black eyes
ana hair to match. forming a strong con-
trast to Hopes blond beauty. Mrs. May
had been Mortified on their first arrival to
find her little girl seated beside a stump,
on which her toy dishes were displayed,
entertaining troop OF ragged boys. The
entertainment consisted of a doughnut
broken in minute bits, and, most astound-
ing sight for New England mother, the
youthful Antoines had brought as their con-
tribution to the feast a cup half filled with
New Orleans mOlasses, some scraps OF
dried orange peel, and bottle, in which
there still remained few spoontuls OF
whisky, with which ingredients and
little water Gus was compromising drink
and filling the tiny pewter cups with all
the EXPERIENCES OF CALIFORNIA bartender.
While Gus was away '.jollygizing" with
her father, Hope went every day 10 recite
French lessons to Mrs. Antoine, and to
learn TO make the marvellous embroidery,
whose great eyelets were filled in with
cobweb like wheels in lace stitches OF
poiute d 'Aleneon. So the summer passed,
but with the fall came the elections.
Squire May returned from his brief va
cation to learn with surprise that the "free
State" party had nominated him as their
candid ate for the district judgeship, and
that bis opponent on the Democratic tick
ct was Colonel Aatoine. The election
was closely contested, but ended in the
usual way. Colonel Antoine's friends COM
ing over from Missouri, voting for him
and rendering the Democrats triumphant.
Squire May was heard to protest loudly |
against the illegality of this proceeding. |
and as be drove toward home it was OBJ
served that bis usual calm temper was
much disturbed
The day following election was an |
eventful one to Mrs. Antoine and Hope |
~ they sat over their embroidery on a !
bench under the broad-leaved catalpas in |
front of the Antoine mansion. A grotesque |
shadow was thrown upon the path, and |
Hope grasped Mrs. Antoine's arm in
alarm, wondering what strange animal |
would follow. 1t was only a peddler and |
both she and Mrs. Antoine were soon
deep In the contents of the pack, which |
consisted In several cases OF cheap jewel
ry, few pieces Of 1imsy dress goods,
aud some coarse Hamburg embroideries.
Mrs. Antoine looked over these interest
eddy, but with smile on her lips, II
can embroider better than that myself
and so can this little girl"
30 "Let me see what you do" said the
peddier, and Hope displayed long strip
Of the mingled embroidery and lace work,
Gus Antoine's design-an anchor-it
meant Hope. he said. b..
II give you City cents for dat" said the
stranger.
90! will youp" exclaimed Hope de-
lighted, while Mrs. Antoine arose, has
tened into the house and returned with
3 the entire collection, which she had
worked since she left the convent. The
peddler was an evil-looking man. and
Hope was'afraid to be left alone with him,
but Colonel Antoine sauntered III at the
gate as his wife entered the house. For
wonder, be was sober, and Hope felt her
courage revive. He regarded the ped
dler gruiily, and began to scold Mrs. An
tome when she returned. though his i'll
humor vanished when he saw that she
was selling, not buying. The stranger
selected a number of bands, and paid for
them from a chamois-skin purse filed
with gold pieces, which he took from his
bosom. The Colonel's eye glittered as
3 1t fell upon it, and his manner changed
perceptibly. -o .t .so7g18.s +
Are you going on to Conflict ?" he
asked as The stranger returned the empty
gourd, which Mrs. Antoine had offered
him filled with water, ard stepped to pick
up his pack. "Yes ? Well, 50 am |, and
"A.