Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-06-23
MY CONFESSION.
From Harper's Weekly.

| 1t was dou0GeSS terrlDle calaInlty.
tried to reason with my husband, and per-
suade him that, after all, it was what might
have been expected. reminded him that
ever since the insurance company had failed,
and thrown him out of employment, he had
been tramp
"That's the word, "he interrupted, fiercely
"You needn't say any more. That COW
ers everything Tramp! That's what I've
come to at last. Look at that boot! Mended?
Never. Look at it, say-look at it,"
had been looking at it ever since he put
it ON the fender. It was terribly broken, to
| be sure. 1t was like the one-hoss shay,
and had given out all over at once.
So had Charley. All hispatience, perse-
verance, and persistency had oozed out at
that awful hole. ga man can stand any
thing but that, Kate, he S id mournfully.
His overcoat can become weather. beaten
to all the colors of the rainbow; the knees
of his pants may grow buggy, and the seams
white; his hat, so long as it's felt, can get
to any condition. But broken boot! Oh,
great Heaven! 1 wish was dead!'
"You mean, selfish wretch cried fling
ing my arms about him. what would be-
come of me and the children?"
"Your people would take care of you and
the youngsters, Kate. I'm only clog and
a curse to you, my dear. Your people
would be glad to be rid of me-"
"Oh, Charley" cried.
But they were. There's no doubt about
it. On that dreadful day Charley kissed us
all as usual when he went out. He SEEM
ed to be calmer and more resigned. But I
remembered the gastliness of his smile
when he drew q rubber over his broken
boot. The day was certainly unsuited for
rubbers, and Charley hated them in any
weather. He was calm, but it was the
calmness CT despair. Days and weeks, a
whole month, went by, and Charley did not
come back to us.
My family decided that something must
be done. They appointed a conference to
meet at my house, which was already rent
ed, and the new lessee desired immediate
possession. My family were far from SYM
pathizing in my awful suspense about
Charley. Their convictions were very de-
cided
He must have gone and drowned him.
self that very morning." they said, and,
! added, with an air of commentator
and relief, that perhaps it was the best
thing he could do under the circumstances.
My heart was full to bursting. flew into
a passion of grief and rage, and drove them
all from the house.
You'll send for us when you get cooled
down, they said. And doubtless 1 should
if Aunt Maria had not been belated at the
family conference, and arrived when my
passion was at its lowest ebb. 1 was as
limp as rag, and quite as helpless.
Just like en-" said Aunt Maria. "A
more selfish, cold, heartless set Of people
the Lord never allowed to live"
This consoled and strengthened me-
! We began abusing them, and l felt better
and stronger. Aunt Maria's was one of
those scheluing, turbulent natures that had
never agreed with mine in the days of my
prosperity, but it was kind of bitter tonic
to me just then.
I'D a given 'em piece of my mind if
Tdgot here in time. But, you see, Mrs
Rogers-you know the woman that kept
our boarding house."
shook my head. Aunt Marias presence
was already losing its Strengthening aud con-
soling qualities.
well, she died last night, and Mr.. Chan
dler he came to me to talk things over. I've
boarded there off and on, before and after
your Uncle 10 b died, for nigh on to fifteen
years; and Mr.. Chambers wife she died
the very next summer, and he's kept his
| second story front ever since. You see, he
owns the house, and like enough has a
mortgage on tie furniture. He's a wishy-
washy sort of man that most anybody can
getthe best Of Good gracious met
What is it, Aunt Maria? What's the
NATTER"
why, souls and bodies! If there amt a
| special providence in this thing, my name
| amt Maria Peckham. 1t came to me then.
just like hash-the hull thing. Why can't
you step into Mrs. Rogers place, and earn
Twin for yourself and children? Mr..
Chandler wants some one right away. It'll
be kind o comfortable for me to have some
one there that l can depend on; and Mr..
Chandler, if you get the right side of him,
come off tomorrow Her children II hev
to be divided around among the relatives.
Ill 60 home and talk the hull thing over
with Mr.. Chandler. and you come around
tonight and settle everything. There's
nothing like strikin' when the irons hot 1t
don't do to let the grass grow under your
feet. That was the trouble with your Char
ley; he was too slow; hadn't enough push
about him leastways that's what the folks
say"
"Slanderers! backbiters! falsifers! NV
Charles was the best, the dearest"-
| Yes, yes, no doubt; but he amt here
just now to earn Twin for you and the chill
dren, and you don't want to sponge on
your folks
No, no, Aunt Maria, anything but that. "
| well, the ways of Providence is inscru-
table. 1t seems to be appinted that you
should take that house. Mrs. Rogers dyin
that way, just in the nick of time, and your
hevin' a row with the folks--its wonder.
full; III 60 home right away, and hev a talk
with Mr.. Chandler before he falls in with
somebody else; he'll let you hev the furni-
ture on installments, know. The kitchen
eilcloth II stick to the floor, anyway. But
I'll go home and see aboutit and you come
round tonight, dye hear, Kate?"
Yes, ma'am, said, and gulped down a
sigh that was almost q groan as she disap-
peared. The consolation had gone out of
her presence long ago. I suppose I ought
to have been grateful. My need was des-
perate, but Aunt Maria make the proposal
80 repelling-the poor, dead woman, the
division of her children, the mortgage on
her furniture; I couldn't even see much
comfort in the kitchen oilcloth sticking to
the floor. I looked upon my children as
they trooped in, shabby but rosy, from
their winter sport and wondered how they d
fare among NY hard hearted relatives when
my turn came to die, and theirs to be dis
banded. Charley and had always said
we'd rather die than board or keep board
ers. Charley had died, possibly; but the
children and I were left, and something
had to be done. 1t seemed as though Mr..
Chandler was my only hope; but went
around there with heavy heart, and
nearly tumbled off the stoop when
saw a futter of Grape on the
bell handle. I never in the world could
have gained courage to pull it. Fortunately
a young man came out. I slipped in, and
he slammed the door after him and went
whistling his way down the street. I crept
by the parlor floor, where some people
stood in groups, talking and laughing quite
unconcernly in the awful presence of death
itself. The dishes were Gathering on the
dumb waiter; woman came down the
stairs smiling and happy, cloaked and hood
ed for the opera. She carried huge
bouquet in her hand, and I wondered how
she could pass the parlor door. The PEG
pie in that house may say what they please
about my GOODNESS and assurance, but I
should be very sorry to have as little heart as
| thew Amt Maria was a1raadv haoo1ipo