Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-04-11
Vol. XIV. Whole No. 1862. No. Is.

Freedom Dy nimseiI one Gay, looking like
III ill-used bull dog, all alone IN the barn,
setting some new rake-teeth.
i've he'd it on my mind quite spell,
Freedom, began the valorous old woman,
ito tell ye that eff ye expect Lowly is ever
sgoin to hev' rousn' hearty child ag'in,
you'll hev to cosset her up some. She amt
| like our folks"
That's pretty trew, Aunt Huldy," was
the bitter Interruption.
"She amt q neither milestone, thet's Il
fact" answered Aunt Huldah, with vigor.
Nor she amt bend leather by good
sight; she's one O. the weakly, meekly sort.
| md you can't make whistle out o. pigs
| tail, I've heerd father say, nd you no need
| to try; no more can We make stubbid,
gritty creetur out o Lowly; she's good as
gold, but she's one O. them that bankers
arter pleasantness, an lovin' an sich; /;
they're vittles an drink to her. tell ye.
You an / can live on pork an cabbage, and
sass sesch continaooal, without turnin' a
hair, bat Lowly won't stand It; nd eff ye
expect this next baby to git along. l tell We
it's got to be easy going with her. You
want to keep your fight with the Lord mp,
spese; you're sot on hevn' another Free
dom Wheeler7"
II be- was the curt response. But
though Aunt Huldah turned her back on
him without further encouragement, and
marched through the ranks of garden
sass back to the house, her apron over
her head and her nose high In air, like one
who snufieth the battle from afar. her pun
words fell not to the ground. Freedom
perceived the truth Of what she said; and
his uneasy conscience goaded him con-
sideraby as to past opportunities bat he
was an honest man, and when he saw q
thing was to be done, he did it. Next day
he brought Lowly a new rocking chair
from the Centre; he modified his manners
daily. He helped her lift the heavy milk
pals, he kept her wood pile by the shed
door well heaped, and was even known to
swing the heavy dinner pot Off the crane,
fit was full and weighty.
For the land sakesT exclaimed Aunt
Hannah. whats a'comin' TO Freedom
He does act halfway decent, Huldy."
Aunt Huldah shook her cap rufile up and
down, and looked sagacious as an ancient
owl. That's me, | gin Ii to him, tell
yer, Hammer, Lowly wants cossetin' nd
haEdlin' tender-like, or we'll be havin
more dyin' babies round. | up an told
him so Wednesday mornia', out in the
barn, true's I'm alive"
I'm glad ont, I'm real glad on't!"
exclaimed Aunt Hannah. "I Iou doue right,
Huldy; but massy to me, how darst ye?"
''Ho!" shifted Aunt Huldy, "ef you think
I'm aiesred o. Freedom, you're clean mis-
took. I've spanked him too often, n |
wish too goodness I'd ha' spanked him a
heap more; he'd ha' been heap the better
for I. You recklect | had the tunin of
bin, Hannah? You was allus nussin'
mother; Freedom come to us jest as she
got belrid. Land, what q bosom he was
his folks never tuned him, nor never took
him to do, a mite. | he'd it all to do, nd
my mind inissives me now didn't half do
II; Jest as the twlg is bent the trees in
clined. ye know it saws in the speller."
But. Huldy, t amt so easy bending a
white OAK SADDLE; specially ef it's got
six years growth
well, | got the hang of him, anyhow,
and he'll hear to me most allus. whether
he performs accordn' or not"
''Mebbe It's too late. though, now,
Hubby"
Law. don't We croak, Hammer. The lit
Tor a while '''-'''' ~'F'' a"'"""
And SO she did. Lowly's ready heart
responded to sunshine as a raln-drenched
bird will, preening its feathers, shaking its
weary wines, welcoming the warm glad
ness with faint chirps and tiny Frightening
eyes, and then-takin. flight,
n
and in early May another boy was born;
alas il was another waxen, delicate crea-
ture. The old parson was brought in haste
to baptize il; the pallid mother grew more
white all through the ceremony. but no.
body noticed her; she took the child in her
arms with a wan smile, and tried to call 1t
by name; Free" was all she said: her
arms closed about it with quick shudder
and stringent grasp, her lips parted wide;
Lowly and her baby were both free" for
its last breath fluttered upward with its
mothers; and in the family Bible there
was another record -
"LOwly Wheeler, died May 3D."
Freedom Wheeler, born May Sd, died
same day"
wv ell. ." said Aunt Huldah, as they came
back To the ghastly quiet of the shut and
silent house. after laying Lowly and her
boy under the ragged turf Of Dorset grave
yard, Il guess Freedom III give up his
wra.tle with Providence. now, sense the
Lords took wife nd baby nd ALL
Il don't feel so sure of that answered
Aunt Hannah, Tor once sarcastic.
TO BE CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT.