Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-02
MlisfeIlarttous.
l0-DAY.

NOtuIuX tulS uiUfuiug SuIss hcuuctus
but to-day we commence to have two
mails-the latest is to be open at six
o'clock in the afternoon
So answered the Postmaster TO the ell
derby woman in the warm shawl and the
neat bonnet who presented herself at the
delivery but did not speak.
Under skies Of blue and clouds Of grey
Mrs. Ellen Kenneth had come up the two
uneven stone steps, and had seen the deli
cate, kind face Of Mr.. Knight, framed by
the plain window, nearly every morning
for ten years.
The Postmaster. on his part, having
been forced from his profession TO this po-
sition by i'll health. had brought along the
warm heart and refinement Of manner
that had made him well loved in his par
ish i; and here, the very suavity Of his de-
NAL smoothed many disappointment.
So it was that for almost a. many morn
ings as the dame had seen the fine face in
the dull window she had also heard the
words Nothing to-day, Mrs. Kenneth,
in just such infection as suggested that
there might be something tomorrow.
In all this time she had never received
letter. and most people believed that
she never would. Indeed it was The let
ter, the one hope Of her life she was look
ing for. at.was well known: and all folks
wished her well and agreed with Mr..
knight who had been heard to say that
he should like 10 live 10 pass that letter
ont.
The kenneths were American born,
but Of Scotch blood The widow and her
babe had come to the pretty village some
thirty years before. The mother, with
her broad head. clear blue eye and loyal
heart. soon commanded the thorough
respect Of the community. The boy, a
winsome, healthful child. grew up fav-
orite with old and young. His mother
guided him with steady hand and the
lad came almost to manhood with no
blemish on his young name. IT'S true
his love for book and kirk were more for
his mothers sake than for their own, and
the wise woman shook her head when he
was praised with the loving but cautious
words.
"Ay, Donald is guide lad to his mither,
but it's not DER weel he kens his mither's
God"
In time there came into the town in con-
nection with some new business, a clique
81 wild, turbulent youths, among whom
there was just enough ability and good
fellowship mixed with the worthless ele-
ment to make the income fascinating and
dangerous. There was soon a change in
Donald Kenneth--and in his mother too.
lie became leader in every escapade, and
finally in the noisy raid and dsreputable
bout. She wore the grey shawl pinned a
little closer, talked even less than usual
aud looked out Of eyes that darkened often
to deep grey.
There came night when noise and
rumor reached the mothers ear, and later.
her strained eye at the upper window saw
tall, well made figure stalking back and
forth before the house. looking down
mostly but anon casting up searching
glance, and finally scanning the entire
premises with steady eye and then after
standing quite motionlessly by the gate
for few minutes. coming quietly in.
Perhaps both had short sleep. but they
met ut the usual simple but tempting
table. Kenneth ate but little and rs soon
~ his mother had read the daily morning
service said. abruptly. ''mother, | know
YOU have enough TO live on, and am go
ing away.-l've been fool. expect to
be n worse one. it's hard on you. I've no
message to leave tor any except this.
when Maggie Campbell and Rob Ainslie
get married give them this from me -
and he laid down n pocket knife of fine
workmanship and many bladed.
His mother saw all at glance. His
bad doings had brought him to the dis
grace and dsmay of being cast off by the
bright spirited girl of his choice. the hand
some and prudent Maggie Campbell. who
had stood heretofore by him. from child
hood. of late smothering shame and chok-
ing back grief and holding him in social
regard largely by sheer force of her char
acter and loyalty The mother knew too.
AS no other did. the inheritance of passion
ate will that belonged to his fathers son.
and in that moment of agonized silence
she saw such depths of darkness which
she fully believed were before him that
her brave heart sank till it could only see
as star, far but bright. the covenant
promise OF her God.
She only said
Donald my son. while live shall
look every day for you and for letter
from you. MAY God forgive and keep
YOU my puir lad"
He was gone. Not neighbor or viii
lager but knew and understood but what
with delicacy of their own and the maies-
wv ttseINt W tue sttpuE Stuttu Wtiltl
few words were ever spoken to her of
him. When after some weeks had passed
Mrs. Kenneth learned from an innocent
little praitlcr that Maggie Campbell never
sang now and Cooked Just like the sick
woman at the corner" she sent a message
asking the girl to come to see her. Mrs
Kenneth had always known Maggie. and
for years had associated her closely and
lovingly with her brightest hopes for her
son. and she had no blame for her now
But the young girl was burdened with
both grief and remorse. 1t was not well
done. she said:
IL was vcxed and proud. and when he
was sorry | would not listen"
She would not let his mother bring out
the knife and when she heard the message
her eyes flashed for moment only to be
quenched again rs she exclaimed II see !,
said to him 1 will marry better man
than you are and he thought | had in
mind Rob Ainslie. Chow could he did
not know well what l did say or mean.
but never that" and the pretty face
flushed.
The two women had one long talk and
the next day Margaret came to live with
Mrs. Kenneth. She had some articles
that had belonged TO her own mother for
some wears dead-and with her delft fin