Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-08-14
THE BROKEN SHILLING.

in the back parlOr. Mr.. Smith was
reading package of letters; Mrs. Smith
dozed in a corner of the sofa, lulled to
rest, suppose, by the ceaseless thrum-
ming of Miss Lizzie on the piano. In
q corner bv herself, with single lamp
beside her, Betsy Lake sat sewing.
Know that [ answer to the anti-eupho-
nious name of Betsy. [ was christened
Elizabeth, and up to the time of my
coming to live with the Smiths [ had
been called Lizzie Lake. But Mrs
Smith said sit was inconvenient having
two of the same name in the family"
and she would have me called Betsy, or
''Batsy," to give her smooth, drawing
pronunciation. did not like the change.
The name seemed old-fashioned, home
", and quite unsuited to my IA years.
However, custom had rendered the I'M
graceful appelation familiar, and now,
after the lapse of six years, [ have al
most ceased to remember and regret
the name given me at my christening
Here is line from Graham" said
Mrs. Smith, Stating that he is coming
to H en- business, and that he in
tends to stop few days with us"
This announcement caused a sensa-
ton in our quiet family party. Mrs.
Smith suddenly sat bolt upright, look
ing wide awake. Miss Lizzie left the
piano and ran to look over her fathers
shoulder at the letter.
Even Betsy Lake was guilty of q lit
tie start Of surprise, whereby her needle
glanced from the cambria and pene-
trated the forefnger of her left hand.
For three successive seasons the
Smiths had met with Weld Graham and
his mother at Saratoga. The acquaint-
ance thus commenced had ripened into
intimacy, and for some months the two
families had correspondent.
An animated discussion followed the
reading of the letter, the debated point
being whether a party should be got up
on the Graham's account. OF course |
had neither interest nor voice In the
question. But | had my own busy
thoughts for company, and they led
me back to certain pleasant reminis-
cences in my somewhat clouded exper-
fence of life. In my 11th summer my
dear father had left me, a motherless
child, in charge of a friend, while he
went south, IN the vain hope that a
change Of climate would restore his
failing health.
Weld Graham was then a lad of Is,
preparing for college, and boarder in
the family with myself Every Incl
dent Of that bright and brief SUNNI er
was chronicled IN my memory; our
manifold quarrels and reconciliations,
ishing experiments in horticulture, the
swing put UP for my especial pleasure,
and our exercise IN drawing in which |
was tutor: Weld my pupil. I have de-
cided talent for drawing. I say it with
pride, because it is my one, sole gift.
When child [ delighted in sketching
caricatures, and at the instigatlOn Of
Weld Graham [ executed numberless
rough but graphic sketches Of individu-
ais whom We both knew and who pos
sessed peculiarities of physiognomy up
on which my pencil could seize and en-
large. Some of these sketches had
been claimed by, Weld Graham for
keepsakes and few of them [ still re-
tanned
On the whole | was glad that Weld
Graham was coming. l remembered
him as a spirited, active and ambitious
lad, and ! wished to know in what de-
gree his manhood fulfilled the promise
of his youth. III ..4 ~
Would he recognize me? [ thought
not. The staid young woman who did
plain sewing and made herself general
ly useful in Mr.. Smiths family was quite
a different person from the light heart
ed Lizzie Lake whom he had known.
Nor did / wish to be recognized. Fate
had given me full measure of harsh
experience. No sparing hand melted to
memy share of the worlds rough usage.
In childhood paternal love planted roses
in my path, but they wilted long ago.
Not fresh leaf or blossom remained
thorns only for my bleeding feet: but 1
did not faint by the wayside. Resolute-
ly went on my allotted pilgrimage,
looking neither to the right hand nor to
the left. Yet if Glanced to encounter
those whom I had known in more hope
full times I instinctively covered my
face, saying. I'VE go on life's journey
by diverse ways, therefore [ know you
not" Thus it was that wished for no
recognition on the part Of my old
playfellow TO see him, to know that
he was prosperous, happy, and distin-
SaioliCO, NOuIo give IllS J1c1oulC, UuG i
wished not to be known in return.
One morning some three days after
Mr.. Graham came, [ was engaged in
clear-starching Miss Lizzie's muslins,
when Mrs. Smith came to the door.
''Betsy, you will have to leave those
things" she said, 'and carry Mr.. Ora
hams valise down to the crossroads.
He is going to the north village, and
left word to have Tom take his vaise
across the meadow in season to meet
the morning COACH"
''Why does not Tom go, as directed?
''He is somewhere with Mr.. Smith
and Mr.. Graham has gone round by the
post office expecting to find his luggage
at the crossroads when the stage comes
along" .1IIEZIl
Cant Jane go? .f.I. il
''No. She says she hurt her ankle
yesterday, and it pains her this morn
81 TO Cand bI1t Won