Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-02
(Con tinusd from frst paae.l

many friends. my child. and One whC
never fails you. am afraid you forgo
them and Him little while ago"
Il thought they all had failed me
What brings them here now ~ suspicious
They know you IRE In trouble ant
come to help you"
81 More trouble ?"
The boys had not waited till night to
unearth the mystery in the meadow.
When the people came out of church, the
dark oblong heap had been uncovered
from the snow, and the boys, white and
scared, had left it alone.
The long procession from the church
stopped and gathered about it.
"Corbitt -
Frozen to death ?"
There was terrible pause. There
were the silent white fields. the rolling
splendor OF clouds, the dead face turned
to meet them. Thew had doZed or Cos
slipped with their own souls, while the
doctor preached; now 1t was as if God
himself called Halt" to them, on their
journey of life.
Mrs. Judge Macintyre herself kneeled
down in the snow and put her hand inside
Of his shirt. She waited moment, aud
then shook her head there was a strange
twitching about her solid jaws.
He was best man at my wedd1g,' she
said. Poor Tom :"
They all agreed that he looked Just As
in those early days The features had
lost their bloated look. and sunk into gem
tie. quiet lines.
II will go myself to break the news to
A., EAu,a
will need a ffiend.n
Then somebody told the true story of
Watterson's GRAND. and that Bessy and
her mother would not have n roof over
their heads by next Sunday.
docs the man know that Ann is a Grip
pleP" cried Mrs. Macintyre. This is
outrageous Where is the Judge This
must be stopped at once !"
The Judge was coming, long way be-
hind, his hands clasped behind him. No
body could wait for him. The men ran
for doctor, stretcher, others hurried
with the women to Bessy and her
mother. the minister first OF ALL as we
have seen. The Limeburghers had their
meanness and little spites In everyday life
but when death stood in their midst they
were all kinsfolk, side by side, warm
hearted and jealous.
When Elizabeth had been told what had
what happened, by the old doctor, and
came into the kitchen, she found Mrs.
Macintyre on her knees before her mother
with the poor cripple's head on her breast.
There, there, Ann Trouble has come
to all of us. don't forget how good you
were to me when my poor Dave died. 1t
seems only yesterday since we were girls
in the grammar class together. But Mr.
Corbitt always was easier on you than the
rest of us. We used to say he loved YOU
when you were little toddling thing"
And he loves you yet, You know" said
another woman, holding the widows
hand.
Its only little while till you'll meet
him where there'll be no parting"
They all believed it though yesterday
they would have said that old Corbitt
was going straight 10 perditlon.
ut is frightfully cold here" whispered
Mrs. Mscintyre. But she was too late
The neighbors had found out the dreadful
poverty OF the house, and ran with shocked
faces to their own houses. In few min
utes, fires were blazing in the empty
chimneys. Snsy was making a cup of tea
the house. Sick people and mourners
were always well fed, according to the
Limeburgh code.
There was hush in the kitchen when
young MIR. Knapp came in and sat down
BY Mrs. Corbitt, as everybody supposed,
TO administer spiritual consolation. The
widow turned her white face toward him
she was patient little body, and very
fond OF John.
II only wanted 10 tell you,n said John
very gently. taking her hand, THAT Bessy
promised TO be nv " ife next week. before
this-this happened. / hope you will let
the marriage take place just the same.
want, as soon as possible, 10 Try and fill
bis place TO you. as well as can"
There was absolute silence. Mrs. Mac.
iniyre nodded approvingly. Sassy slipped
out OF the back door. and did rot come
back to draw The tea.
Mrs. Corbitt sat up, trembling very
much.
This does not seem quite fair to you,
John. You have your own work to do,
and to support two women--'
I'm do both. III manage it," be said
quietly, taking Bessy's hand in his.
Elizabeth - cried her mother, what
shall we do?''
Whatever John says, mother" All
the spirit had been driven out OF the girl
by pain.
AS Judge Macintyre came down the
road, not knowing what had happened,
Watterson hurried up behind him.
I'm glad you never parted with the
land, Jedge. You'll run the thing brisk
ly. Or, II you choose to start company
for workin', shares kin be set as high as"
This is not subject for the Sabbath y
with an embarrassed cough. but may
say that my own preference is to invest
capital in iron. think OF realizing on
on my real estate and going to Plttsburg
-
"All your real estatep This patch you
bought from Corbitt. too--What's thisp"
The Judge stopped. Corbitt, the man
he was robbing, lay there at his feet, dead !;
the liked eyes stared up at him from the
snow; one hand raised and frozen stiff,
seemed to point at him reproachfully.
"Great God ~
Who is it, Ell? Help me to raise
him. Why, if it isn't the old man him
self ~ cried Watterson, his teeth chatter.