Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-10-07
NO. 237.
Gales ano Skettbes.
A RARE CASE.

Orpnan Htrl or FORMER servant IN y
wealthy family, Matte had shared the
lessons and the play of the younger daugh
ter of the house. until u time came when
it was convenient to turn the humble COM
panion adrii to work for herself II may
i have been piece OF the ill-luck his neigh
bors ascribed to Drew. that it should have
been to his farm the girl came rs help to
his sister. or il NAV have been piece of
his good nature that made him agree to
take under his roof this pretty lass, UNI
trained for service and educated far above
her s'ation.
Drew's widowed sister, Mrs. Bankes,
who lived with him. and whose child il
was Matte had come TO nurse. amongst
other duties too numerous to mention, for
there was but one servant kept-Drew's
sister exclaimed in despair when the farm
er brought home the young lady-like, del
icate-looking girl -
| 1--WE want a strong, hard working las,.
This one does not know her right hand
from her left. She, is as good as a lady,
or rs bad. and has never MIXED COW in
her life. What We're you thinking of to
bring her here ?''
"Ah that's Just my luck; well, we
must do the best we can with her. If the
| StcWtIU Ilstu never IntutlpfcU ntT 10 me,
now-but then he did mention her, and
| here she is"
There she was. and there she STAYED,
apt TO learn. willing to be taught. CRATE
| tul for the real kindness she met with.
Matte was soon the best hand at milking
for miles around and soon devoted to the
baby. Three years passed quietly, and
| then came the romance of Mattie's life.
hat Al.
Armtage. grave man, was fully ten
years her senior. A great traveller men,
Der of n world-renowncd scientific society,
a student and discoverer-he was, be-
tween two scientific expeditions. refresh
ing heart and brain by walking tour
through the home counties.
Adams walking tour ended at the farm.
Drew had taken only a year before, and
the dwelling house had been found more
convenient to inhabit than the smaller
building on the old land close to the road.
Mr.. Armitage found the pure air of the
downs good for him.
He made friends with all the family.
To Matte it was delightful to meet once
more some one with all the tricks and
manner of the more refined society among
which her youth had been passed Little
lpllpNtu tIIs new WHtTeNtf
lie went; IIarry's mother called him
right down pleasant gentleman the farm
er called him good man.
They all missed him when he went
away, Matte most of all but the follow
ing summer saw him there again. well
come old friend this time. and no stran-
ger.
Drew, keen observer of all that went
Il.
by surprise as bis sister was, when one
day toward the end of this second visit
Adam and Matte were both mysteriously
missing. A strong armed country lass
made her appearance before night. She
was the bearer of a note from Matte, con-
Tossing that she and Mr.. Armtage were
married, and hoping the servant sent
might supply her place, so that no one
would be inconvenienced.
Drew might shake his head and look
thoughtful. but Mr. Armitage was his own
master, and it was not the first time a
gentleman had married country lass
Besides, the deed was done and past re-
call. They had gone quietly to one of the
churches in the town, from whence the
sound ot bells floated up lthe farm, and
had been married by special license.
Adam had taken lodging for his bride.
and there they passed one brief bright
week of happiness, then one morning
walked quietly back together. Matte
blushing and smiling, and looking so
lovely and ladylike in simple dress that
she used to Wear before she came TO the
farm that they hardly knew her.
Adam explained that he meant to leave
his wife for two days-no more-in the
care Of her old friend. at the end of that
time he would return and fetch her. There
were arrangements to make with regard
to the scientific expedition about to start
Immediately. 1t would sail without him
now. but it behooved him to do his best
that his place should be rs well filled as
might be. There was also his mother to
see. and prepare for receiving Matte.
Matte walked little way with her
husband and the farmer, along the breezy
uplands, and then Adam sent her back.
and hastened his own steps in the direction
of the little station at the foot of the
Downs. When he came again, he said,
| laughing, that it would be from B
station, and that he world drive in hy
| through the Sionedene gate and along the
track. the only approach to a carriage
road leading to the farm.
Mattle went away snilllDg as he meant
she should do, and only paused now and
then to look after the two men as long as
they remain in sight. 1t was natural that
she should feel little afraid of this un-
known lady, Adams mother, but that
fear was the only shadow on Mattie's
path. 1t was an idyl, poem, as true a
love story as the world has seen. that had
written itself here in this out-of-the-way
spot on the lonely Sussex Downs.
On the third day they might look for
Adam to return, but that day passed, and
many another, until the days were weeks.
and the weeks months. and he neither
came nor wrote. Matte remembered
how when she had turned to look back
for the last time upon that homewartl
walk. she had seen his figure distinct
against the sky for one instant, and in the
next lost it entirely as he passed out oil
sight over the swelling line of hills. Just
so she seemed to have lost him in one in.
slant out of her life. And yet she never
lost faith and trust in bim-never ceased
to watch for his coming again.
Drew. after time, either goaded to thu
step by his sisters loud voiced arguments
or prompted to it by his own sense o
L Ill