The Newtown bee., 1879-07-23

 dyk worship the very ground you tread on this day. 1 call no names and l say nothing. A woman must answer for herself. l wish you were married, Meg. I've saved up a good penny for your dowry you know that"
 " s." she said, her lips quivering.
 Whatever was the reason you did not on querulously. You'd been a proud wife now, and he here hale and hearty"
 With aquick gasp Meg threw up both arms, and then buried her face in her mothers lap, sobbing vehemently, while the latter sat aghast, frightened at the storm she had unwittingly Iaised. At last she touched her daughters hair softly.
 Don't, Meg" she said, II did not mean itr''
 But Meg only drew the wringled hands about her neck, and let Der tears flow unchecked. At length she looked up.
 ''It was I who drove him away-Matt Erickson" she said. ''We had little quarrel, just few idle words about a ribbon, and I told him in my silly anger l would have no more to say to him while the stars shone. And now they do not shine for him, for he is blind blind. Oh, mother, 1 cannot live, I cannot bear it!"
 "Yes. you will live, child" the widow answered, quickly. "Your father was brought in to me dead-killed in those mines wher. you were scarce three years old, my Meg, and am alive yet" But this is worse than death," she cried passionately. "Mother, do you hear? He who was my plighted hus- band is blind, in far, strange country l must go and bring him home, home to Rysdyk."
 She had risen from her mothers arms and stood before her in the moonlight, pale, resolutc, with her hands clasped rigidly. "Give me my dowry, mother, and let me go," she said. Do not deny me this thing. I am well and strong, and, if l do say it, l am quick witted. l can make my way; shall come back safely. Let me go, mother!"
 It is not your place, Meg. Let some one else go."
 "Who? Tell mo that! Has he father or brother or uncle? Who is there to go?n
 "But-it's not right maidenly to off after lover, Meg. What will the folks say? And-would you marry blind man?"
 Maidenly! It is maidenly to do right," said Meg, her brown cheek flush ing. "What do I care for the folks! I'm not young girl to drop my eyes and DC SIlIIlltlicCl DcCduSc lOlhS VIII Litlh. They always talk. And as for marrying it is not of marriage I am thinking now; it is of bringing Matt Erickson he whOn l drove away with my ill- doings-back safe to his own couptry-"
 She hesitated a moment and then went on: But I'll not play false with you, mother. He'll not ask me to marry him. But I shall know. If he wants me. after all that's passed, he shall have me, and I'll take care of him till die" Their talk lasted far into the night. But with it we have no more to do, nor the details by which a little money was made to SC a great way. For, after many tears, the widow consented that Meg should take her dowry and spend it as she chose. If they had been more worldly-wise they would have known how to accomplish their purpose through the agency of others. As it was, they saw no other way than for Meg to do herself the thing she wanted done.
 Oh, that weary, weary journeyi Why was the world so wide, the way so long? Meg kept up a brave heart until the boisterous ocean was crossed and she where she had been told to take the steamer for Marquette. It seemed to her that she had travelled the width of the whole wide earth already since her foot first fell upon the soil of the strange new world.
 ''Is this Lake Superior, sir?n she asked of policeman, as she left the cars and saw the water of Lake Erie stretching away in the distance. And can you tell me, are we near 1shpem ing?"
 Oh, no, my girl this is Erie. Lake Superior is away up north, hundreds of miles from here-Ishpeming. Never heard of such a place. But here's your
 Her heart sank like lead Would she ever, ever reach the end? All day, and day after day, she sat silently in the bow of the boat gazing steadily forward!
 It was like a new birth when, after many days, the steamer entered the beautiful Bay of Marquette, and the fair young city rose before her astonished eyes, its white cliffs gleaming in the sun, it's green shores sweeping downward to the waters edge. She was near her goal at last.
 For Ishpeming was about fifteen miles awayup the railroad, and thither she went by the first train. How rough and wild it all was! And how the charred and blackened pine trees lowered alott like grim giants. and pointed their ghastly fingers at her as she swept through their solitude!
 "Can you tell me where to find a man called Matthew Erickson?" she asked of the depot-master, trembling from head to foot.
 " Erickson? Erickson? Blown up in the mines a year or so ago, wasn't he? He stays at Sam Ayrcs'. the En- glishnan's. believe. Just ye go around that corner, ma'am, then turn to the right and go up the hill-or stay! Let me lock up and I'll go with you. Ever been in Ishpeming Eeforep NoP I thought you looked like q stranger in these parts. :"
 He left her at Sam Ayres' gate, having opened it gallantly when he saw that her cold fingers were unfit to do her bidding. A kindly-ftced woman came to the door and bade her welcome.
 Meg's story was soon told.