The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-10-17

SO near, too, you could hear me Sigh,
or sec my case with half an eye:
But must not. There are reasons why.
A FAITHFUL WOMAN.
II was down at the docks by the North
river, New York, where the streets are dingy
and narrow and wear permanently black
ened ook--whcrc the houses are curiously
iammcd together, clinging TO ono another
like irregular teeth. Seafaring men stood
talking in groups at the corners of the cross
ings and beneath the awnings on the side
walks. Every pair of trousers was more or
less daubed with tar, and the men bore OH their
ruddy cheeks the kisses of tho suns of every
cline under high heaven. Thews and sim
cws were to be seen there, toiling doggedly
and perpetually. Steam engines OF various
forms and uses were toiing also after their
fashion hosting goods, pumping water,
driving poles. Horses were dragging enor.
nous loads, calmly, as If they were used to
the engines and cared less than nothing
about the noise. The workers were pushing
out groins and breastworks and piles and
dams, which must have astonished the river
as they gradually forced it out of its old
landmarks. Here and there might be OBJ
served thoughtful looking men standing,
watching keenly and with contracted brows
tho progress of things.
Standing apart, with folded arms and n
profoundly discouraged air, young man
was likewise gazing around him. He was
broad shouldered, tall, and muscular. He
had full, blue eyes, a quantity of hair of
tawny red, a large mouth, out of which
glitercd a superb set of white teeth. Natur-
ally his smile was constant, bright, and
iovial; but now IL was considerably over
cast. He walked up to the contractor with
the air of man who has made up his mind
to a last effort.
"Then there's no chance for me on the
job, Mr.. Broadlip?"
81 guess not, Berthfeld."
The other was silent.
You see,'' continued Broadlip, "Podford
manages it all, and he has the stamps"
"The position would have just suited
me.'
| "Down to the ground; but you amt Pod
ford's nephew. It's not the right man in tn,
right place, Joe. But tho man is in tn,
right place, and right will not turn him out
while might keeps him in. 1t amt my
fault you amt fixed, Joe, and Pm real sorry
If was boss I'd fix you right off.
"Pm obliged, MIR. Broadlip. I'll see you
at Engledcll Sunday" and Joe Berth1eld
turned OH his heel.
1t was Sunday in Engledell, on the Hud-
son-the quaint old town of Engledcll that
overlooks the North river from u snug little
eyrie up in the rock ribbed Palisades. TlA'
cracked bell of the church was clangiJl!
forth its invitation to people to enter its ape,
doors.
Just as tho service commenced pretty
ark-eyed girl glided down the aisle with
rather conscious stricken air, opened will
Il rsI 1,,s
self Immediately in ono of the W,ws, he
blushing face closely pressed against he
hands, which lay on the woodwork, in iron
of her, as she knelt down to say u shor
prayer. Within just ~ much time az sug
gested the idea that he had fingered Outsid
in order not TO appear together, Joe Berth
field entered and seated himself in an ada
cent pew.
The two behaved pretty well during tn
services, taking only stealthily innOcen
Chances ut each other, and even then mt lonI
Intervals. But whom the service was rea,
and the beiicdiction said, the girl RENAME,
a little longer than usual on hcr knees, an,
Joe was waiting for her when she arose
They walked silently together out of tn
church aud turned into n broad walk shades
with trees, which led down zigzag fashion ;,
the river.
As they got further and further away fron
the departing congregation, Borthileld, bein
an enterprising youth i'm all ho undertook
possessed himself of her hand, and put hi
\ face SO close to her hat that she could nc
, choose but look ut him. And ho looke
/ long, but not apparently making himself TIL
: happier for doing 80, for ut the concluso
he gave great sigh.
"IIattie, darling" he said, "Pve no goo
Q news for you. Pve been to the dock works 9
the North river, and the position Broadlip ha
hoped to give me has been filled, and thor
. Is no chance of another opening. They don.
= | want young untired hands there, yet the
might have given mo u trial"
''l,ut, Joe," said the girl, and her Vol,
n faltercd u little ms shc spoke, "you kno
!. what you wish cannot be. You wish 1ne
!, marry you and TO take the chances Of life.
!. cannot leave my father. lie is ageins sadl
n think his poor eyes are growing dim, Al
Il now le would rather have all his ljeautif
music played to him than do II limse
o Joe, my great hope is that ] may be able
y take his pupils for him."
b. "Yuu would do we'll, Hattie. You have
le wonderful knack of managing people"
\, The girl smiled, and in her smile the
Is was n peculiar hooking expression whit
is seemed like ripple about the mouth. 81
became grave again.
10 o. lie has worked for me, Joe; II is fit tina
iy should work Tor him..
10 "1}ut IL | could get work near, you ne
IS not leave him, Hattie. We would marry Al
10 all live together"
70 "No, Joe; we are too young to fctter on
f. selves with such uncertain prospects. Alo
we may struggle, and II wa fall we fall alo
al ~ and drag down no other; but were Wa m;
RS ried, and your employment 10 unceTtai
=. cares would come on us moro quickly III
y, we could meet them. Believe me, Joe,
n arc better SINGLE"
n. There was no selishness about the you
~, "s fellow, yet, man like, ho could not forb,
H. the answer:
e "IIattie, you think more of your fail
,i rs than you do of me. My young life"
rst stopped abruptly.
re 81 should be nogood wife TO you, ii | fall
,ai as daughter. Do not press me more. q
mt knows am sorely tried already" and I
rat pent-up tears came at last.
Then Berthneld inwardly called hims
wv many frigltful names, of which '' unmai
n. wretch F" and " brute " were the least sevc
IL But he said audibly:
ess ~ know, Hattie. Forgive me-" A
All, the words were scarcely out of his mouth
sc, fore hc was forgiven, for the warm, rou,
y, white hand was again placed confdingly
Ter his. lie continued "The worst is yet
nal come, Hattie" His words came slowly a.
n ,ss dragged up by the roots. " have und
Sc taken to work my way to Japan, and
hat captain of the steamer mas promised to
N Has me work as soon as We arrive. did hope
ard have begun higher up, but Pve never shirl
M work, and I'll show that can do good q
earnest days work. I've toilod with
and dust and oil and what not, and III do
- again. know my trade thoroughly. !
,s lowest as well as the highest part OF it, anS
zoe. | ap1-Iin vannu aud atrnuu