The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-02-24

L ne liLle udTk cdOlu on the Snofe DElgnJ-
ened up with an unwonted lustre as the
widow sheltered her young charge, and
changed her wet garments for some of her
own.
''If my Tom would only come, I'd send
him for your things"
son, no matter! I'll wrap your shawl
about me and walk down myself after I've
rested bit I'm not hurt, you know, only
scared. Dear me, how tras scared, My
old nurse used to teach me not to scream:
but if [ hadn't screamed, where should
have been now | wonder ~
Mrs. Minton would gladly have parted
with the last shred she possessed, and gone
shivering the rest of her days, to see her
worn out gown donned SO handsomely BY
the bright lasSie.
They have seen better days, the clothes,
miss, and III not deny that they've been in
good company in their time; but they're
not fl for lady now
Her companion laughed, pretty, mis-
chievous laugh. She read the weakness of
her rescuer, and treated it tenderly.
Whatever lady has worn is fit for a
lady to wear" she said, and forthwith
wrapped herself smiling, in the old gray
shawl.
And at that moment Tom, with his red
shirt cleaning in the setting sun, and a
string Of fish on his shoulder, stood in the
doorway.
He stopped when he saw the guest stand
ing upon the hearth stone, a bright fire
behind her, and the kettle boiling oheerily.
She nodded to MIN Familiarity. Tom thought
he must be dreaming.
tom and are acquainted" said she.
ARE you?'' responded the astonshed
widow.
yes" said the girl. "rve watched
Tom many a time walking along shore in
his red shirt, and once he took me and
father out rowing. Tom, your mothers
saved my life
''Saved your life.' echoed Tom, who
never in all his life had heard of his moth
er's doing any thing before.
Tom, stupid and staring, was hurried off
in search of the missing garments. And
| meanwhile his mother betook herself to
making cup of tea for her protegee 1t
was wonderful how little warmth of hu-
mau feeling had reused this woman to life
and activity.
When Tom returned, laden with various
articles Of apparel, the two were quietly
| slipping their tea together at the old round
table.
He did not return alone, however. Fol
| lowing him came tall gray headed gentle
! man.
Here's father!'' cried the girl, spring
| ing forward. son. father, this good lady
has saved my life"
Lady. The widow Mlnton wanted to
| kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pronounced
the words.
We'll, my dear said the old gentle,
man, good -humoredly punching the plump
check, ''she has done it very thoroughly
| You certainly don't look very near death
| just now"
Whereat the story, with due enlargement
aud variation, was told him with pretty
pout.
The father smiled, but also he furtively
wiped away a tear.
"Well, madam" said he, courteously,
! ''acccpt my cordial thanks for looking
| after my little madcap Belle. She's my
only child, You see, and as full Of pranks
as any dozen"
Belle playfully put her hand over his
mouth. 81 won't have my character ira
duced where they've been so good to me,
she cried. "And oh, father, isn't this q
beautiful place-such view of the water
| mean TO come down here every day anC
do my sketchng.'
"l'm afraid" said the sire, shaking hi.
head, that this good lady will have cause
to wish she had thrown you overheard"
g Oh, no, father; she likes me, and | like
her. And I've fallen in love with Tom Ions
ago, you know
Tom blushed painfully. Something new
and strange stirred i'll his mind. Compli
meuts did not Sweeten his thoughts as they
did his mothers, for Tom had never sect
better days, and felt as if he was being
made jest of.
week passed, during which the young
girl strolled almost daily to the cabin
When she was there Tom seldom entered
the house. He had grown shy and sulky
he sat on the shore darkiy broodng, o
went of silently to his fishing.
One morning Belle and her father de
parted. Belle kissed the withered cheel
of her friend, and that was all. For whel
mention had been made of helping her sub
s,antially, the widow had drawn hersel
sharply up, all the lady shining i'll her eye
- may have seen my best days" sh
said, "but l haven't come down to tina
yet And if needed any reward, I've ha,
it now she added, as she felt the sof
blood mantling in the cheek that Belle ha.
kissed.
Long after the two had left, Tom wen
about with a cloud on his face, and in hi
ears were ringing those knocking words
I'm in love with Tom" A disgust fo
his fishing life and for himself and for al
their miserable surroundings of povert
filled the lads heart with an unwonted bit
terneSs.
+ Mother" said he one day, as he sa
darkly brooding over the hearth, "you SAT-
you were born lady; why didn't you max
Il gentleman of me -
u hadn't any money left when yo
came said the widow, briefly.
Then it 5 money that makes people gen
tlemen aud ladies ?'
, Il don't know said the widow, pu2
zed: they somehow mostly lave it,
One day Tom came and told her he wa
going to sea. There had been man dow
looking for hands, and he had taken Tor
gladly, for Tom was a handy fellow at a
most any kind of sea craft, and would 500
make Il good seaman.
And you must just bide here patientl
till come back, mother; for if there bel
t ter days any where. shall bring 'em wit
ne, be sure
: After that the sea looked bluer and colde
than ever. and the solitary woman lived
sort of hermit's life. No CHEEKY voice c
gosslping neighbor ligl,tened the drear
cabin, no children prattled about her; an
: only Belle, the bright blithe- hearted las
, sic, seemed to remember to cheer her wit
"A letter now and then. Belle was ava
now visiting some distant friends, but in be
i kindly heart she kept a corner, it see neC
p for the poor old woman who had saved he
life.
I Three years -four-passed away, an
! daily OF summer afternoon you migl
. have seen the widow sitting i'll her dOO
:. way, eager and hollow-eyed, looking OF
for some possible ship that might be Tom
Tom was not Il good correspondent, bu
occasionally up at the little post-ofiice
# wandering epistle waited her tremblin
. hand. She was growing very old and fe,
i be now; but Tom was getting up in I'll