Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-08

he paced the shubbery, or sat silently
looking out of the window. But Steve
was now ready for any employment that
would take him out of the purposely de-
pendent life which he had so foolishly
chosen for himself.
One day greatly to his surprise Eliza
beth said to him:
s'Steve, l have letter from cousin Of
mothers who lives in Glasgow. She Is
going to Australia and wants me to buy
her house. She says it is great bargain.
and wrote to Barrett to go and see about
{. have a letter this morning saying
he is too i'll to leave his bed. / wonder If
you could go to attend it,
Anything for change. Steve showed
a very proper business-like interest, and
said:
"Yes, would be very glad to go"
Very we'll; / should think You knew
enough of titles and deeds and convey
ancing and all that sort OF thing. | will
trust the affair to you, Steve"
So the next morning Steve found him
self on the Caledonian line. with flOO in
his pocket, and valuable piece of bust
ness on hand. The first twenty miles o,
of Leeds he enioved with all the abandon
of bird set free. Then he began to think
again. At Grove he missed a train and
he wandered about the station, fell in
talking with the engineer OF the next one
who was cleaning and examining the en-
CINE with all the love and pride mother
gives her favorite child.
The two men fraterniZed at once. and
Steve made n trip over the Caledonia line
in the engineers small cuddy. He was a
fine young fellow. lone of seven he said
'.all machinists and engineers he was
only serving his time, learning every
branch of the business, practically; he had
brothers who made engines, and he hoped
to do so sometime.
In spite of his soiled face and oilv
clothes. Steve recognized that refinemel {
that comes with education; and wis n his
new friend called upon him at the
Queens hotel. he would not be ashamed
of his appearance, evel in the most fas-
tidious days.
Mr.. Dalrymple, | am glad to see you. p"
said Steve, holding out both hands to him.
II thought Won would be, sir it is not
often make mistakes in my likings. ]
will 90 with you now to see my father 8
works, lift suits you
Never had such place entered Stephen
Gaskill's conception; the immense fur
naces. the hundreds OF giants working
around them, the clang of machinery. the
mighty struggle Of mind with matter, OF
intellect over the revelation. He envIed
those cyclops in their leathern masks and
aprons he longed to lift their heavy ham
mers. He looked upon the craftsmen
with their bare. brawny arms and black
talt Il 81
admiration when he saw the mighty works
those hands had fashioned The tears
were in his eyes when Dalrymplc and he
parted ut the gate of the great walled-in
yard.
THANK YOU" he said. ''you have done
me the greatest possible service. shall
remember it"
That night Steve formed IA strange but
noble resolution. First of all he devoted
himself to his wiie'S business, and accom-
plished it in Il manner which elected Mr..
Barrett's warm praise and made Elizabeth
wonder whether she might not spare her
agents fees for the future. Then he had
a long confidential talk with the owner of
the Dalrymple iron and machine works,
the result of which was the following let
ter to Mrs. Gaskill -
Ny dear wife: shall not be at home
again for at least two years, for have be-
gun an apprenticeship to Dalrymple as an
iron-master. propose to learn the pro-
cess practically. | have lived too long
upon your bounty, for have lost your es-
TEEN rs well rs my own, and do not say
but that have deserved the loss. Please
God will redeem my wasted past, and
with His help make man of myself.
When | am worthy 10 be your husband
you will respect me, and until then think
As kindly As possible of
STEPHEN GASKILL.
The letter struck the first noble chord
in Elizabeth's heart. From that hour not
even her favorite maid dared to make
little compassionate sneers at poor mas
ter
Steve, in leather apron and coarse
working clothes. began laborous happy
days which brought him nights of sweet
est sleep; and Elizabeth began Il series
of letters to her husband, which probably
grew more imbued with the tenderest in
tcrest and respect. In few weeks she
visited him of her own free will. and pur-
poselv going to the works, saw h,r self
banishcd lord welding ponderous ham,
mer upon bar of white-hot iron.
Swarthy. bare-armed. clothed in leath-
err, he had never looked so handsome in
her Elizabeth's eyes; and her eyes re-
vealcd this fact to Steve. for in them was
the tender light of love founded upon gen
uine respect. Steve deserved it. He
wrought faithfully his two years service.
cheercd by his wife's visits. and when he
came out of the Dalrymple works there
was no more finished iron master than he
lie held his head frankly up now and
looked fortune boldly in the face; he
could earn his own living anywhere, and
better than all he had conquered his wife
won her esteem. and compelled her to
acknowledge a physical strenth and NOR
al purpose greater than her own.
Between Leeds and Braithwaite hall
there have been for many years gigantic
iron works. The mills and railways on
the West Riding know them well; their
work is famous for its excellence. for the
master is practical machinist and over
looks every detail. The profits are enor-
nous. and Stephen Gaskill. their proprie-
tor. is also the well-beloved and respected
master of Braithwaite hall and of Braith-
waite halls mistress.