Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-02
NO.. 2.
Gales ano skrttbes.
RUfH'S SfEPFAfHER.
Continued from Yesterday }

she knew how put out was, for had not
lit my pipe nor yet had my evening nap,
which always have after tea. She did
what she so we'll knew how to do-flled
my pipe. forced it in my hand. and just As
| was going to dash it to pieces in the
ashes. she gave me one of her old looks,
kissed me on the forehead. rs with one
hand she pressed me back into the chair
and then with the other she lit n splint and
held it to my tobacco.
| was done. She always gets over me
like that and after smoking in silence for
half an hour, was lying back, with my
eyes closed. dropped off to sleep. when
the wife said (what had gone before had
not heard y
.'Yes, he's asleep now"
That woke me up of course. and If l
didn't lie there shamminy and heard all
they said in whisper.
''Ilow came YOU to make him more
vexed than he was. Luke?" says the wife
and he told her.
II couldn't do it, mether." he said. ex-
citedly. 1T was heart-breaking. She's
living in wretchcd room there with her
daughter: and mother, when saw her |
felt us ii-there | can't tell YOU
"Go on. Luke" she said.
"Thev'rc half starved.' he said in a
husky way "Oh. mother! it's horrible.
Such sweet. beautiful girl. and the poor
woman herself dying almost with some
terrible disease
The wife sighed.
They told me- he went on, chow hard
they had tried to live by ordinary needle
work, and failed, and that as a last resource
they had tried to get machine"
Poor things.' said the wife "but are
YOU sure the mother was a lady?"
"A Clergyman widow says Luke
hastily there isn't doubt about it. Poor
girl and they've got to learn to use II be-
fore it will be of any use"
Poor girl Luke?" said the wife softly;
and | saw through nv eyelashes that she
laid a hand upon his arm, and was looking
curiously at him. when if he didn't cover
his face with his hands. rest his elbows on
the table and give a low groan Then the
old woman got up. stood behind his chair.
and began playing with and caressing his
hair like the foolish old mother would.
Mother" he said, suddenly, Twill you
30 and see them ?''
She didn't answer for minute, only
stood looking at him, and then said soft
ly:
They paid you the first money ?"
mo. " he said hotly, IL hadn't the heart
to take it,
Then that money you paid was yours,
Luke?''
"Yes. mother" he says, simply; and
those two stopped looking at the other, till
the wife bent down and kissed him. hold
ing his head afterwards. for few mo-
mcnts, between her hands for she always
did worship that chap, our only one; and
then closed my eyes tight, and went on
breathing heavy and thinking.
For something likea new revelation had
come upon me. l knew that Luke was
twenty-five. and that was fifty-four. but
he always seemed like a boy to me, and
here was waking up to the fact that he
ing and feeling as first thought and felt
when | saw his mother, nigh upon twenty
and eight years ago.
lay back, thinking and telling myself
| was very savage with him for deceiving
me. and that wouldn't have him and his
mother plotting against me. and that l
wouldn't stand by and see him make fool
of himself with the first pretty girl he set
eyes on, when he might marry Maria Tur-
ner. the engineers daughter. and have
business, and then be my partner.
mo" says, if you plot together I'll
plot all alone" and then pretended to
wake up, took no notice, and had my
supper.
| kept rather gruff the next morning,
and made myself very busy about the
place. and dare say spoke more sharp
ly than usual, but the wife and Luke were
l,. IL
out. with "a little oil can and two or three
tools in my pocket.
II was not far to Bcnnet's place, and on
getting to the the right house asked for
Mrs. Murray. and was directed to the Sec
Ond floor. where. as reached the door, l
could hear the clicking of my sewing ma
chine, and whoever was there was so busy
over it that she did not hear me knock:
so opened the door softly, and looked in
upon as sad scene rs shall ever, dare
say. see.
There in the bare room, sat, asleep il,
her chair. the widow lady who came about
the machine. and could see that in her
face which told plainly enough that the
pain and suffering she must have been
going through for years would soon be
over; and. situated as she was, it gave me
II KIM ol tuTu.
''It's no business of yours" l said to
myself roughly; and turned then to see
who it was that was bending over my ma
chine.
could see no face. only slight figure
in rusty black; and pair of busy white
hands were trying hard to govern the
thing and to learn to use it well.
$50 that's the gal, is it ?'' ] said to my
self. "Ah! Luke, my boy. you've got to
the silly calf age, and dare say
got no further, for at that moment the
girl started and turned round, and turned
upon ME timid, wondering face that
made my heart give queer throb, and
couldn't take my eyes off her.
''Hushn' she said shortly, holding up
her hand; and saw that it was as thin
aud transparent as If she had been i'll.
"My names Smith," said, tsikh.- out
a screw-driver. my machine how does
it go? Thought I'd come and see."
Her face lit up in a moment, and she
came forward eagerly.
'I'm so glad you've come," she said,
81 can't quite manage this