Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-03
Gales ano Sketlbes.
THE OLD WOMAN.
BY ABIGALE SCOTT DUSIwAr.

Ned HuntiIne sat at the breakfast table
and abstractedly slipped his coffee. Ned
was considered great catch among
the girls Of Sleepy Hollow; not that ne
was either rich or handsome, for he was
not. nor was there anything very remark
able about him, except his tidy habits and
his well-known determination to take care
OF his parents. who had spent their earn
ings Of lifetime in rearing and educa-
ting their many children, all IF whom ex
cept Ned were well married and comfort
ably settled in establishments Of their own
in the PARKWAY States, where constant APP
plication to business enabled them To live
in peace and plenty.
Ned Huntline the senior. after whom
the junior Ned was named il his infancy
and the worthy sire of seven Huntline-,
was now on his deathbed, and the wife
and the son were the solitary occupants
Of the breakfast table, where in the years
agone. there had been nine chairs prompt
~ filed at every meal.
'.Do YOU think father will live the day
out - asked Ned, sending up his cup for
the second time. and speaking for the first.
''It's doubtful son. There has been a
rapid change within half dozen hours"
The wife buried her face in her hands
and wept silently. She was an old fash
Toned woman. an exemplary wife. who
had eheerfully borne her share Of life'-
many burdens through all the years of
their union. She had been a strong
woman in her dav, too, but her step was
feeble now and her eyes were dim and
her hands unsteady.
Don't cry. mother" said Ned softly.
a. he left his last cup untasted and went
around where she was sitting. We've
all got 10 take our turn when il comes.
Death is only transition. It's but
question Of time till we, too shall die
Cheer up mother. You are to have
valuable legacy to-day.
my son. | know | have a valuable
legacy in you. and I try to be comforted.
Your father is ready and willing to die.
and il won't be many years till | shall
join him. But. o, Ned, it's hard What
will become of me o'
Tears chokcd her utterance, and Ned
placed his arm around her tendcrly aud
drew her head to his shoulder.
II am your legacy dearest mother and
shall prove support to You which shall
never fail. Molle will love YOU too. Yon
shall spend the balance of your DAYS in
ease and contentment and plenty
''Mollie. did You say, Ned2
Yes mother"
Not Mollie Hawkins ~
Yes; Mollic Hawkins. We've been
engaged for year. and it is her wish and
mine to be married to-day. so that father
may witness the ceremony"
30 Ned, II seems both wicked and
cruel to he thinking about wedding to-
day. Wait n year. do
Father and talked it over while YOU
were getting breakfast. and he's glad to
know of our plan and seconds it hearth
ly."
"Why didn't YOU tell me before. Ned"
because there wasn't ANYTHING to tell
Mollie has always said you didn't like her.
and she begged me to wait till YOU would
have time to overcome your preiudices
before | should speak to you about it,
Mollie watched father with me during the
after part of the night. and he had IN
easy. rational spell toward morning. and
he SAID. I'd like to give Mollie to you be
fore | die, "a your mothers legacy
hadn't supposed Molle was his to give.
but then she wasn't anybody elsc's, and
| thought he enjoyed the fancy. The
property is all mine. mother"
And SD shall lose you. my baby son,
and your father too. on the same dayi
cried Mrs. lluntline. throwing dcr arms
around Ned. and crying uncontrollably.
Ned was vcXcd and annoyed. For his
life he couldn't see why his mother was
not pleased with the idea of becoming the
lifetime companion Of Moll;e Hawkins,
the village dress maker. Mollie was m
orphan. steady. Industrious. scr-willed
and handsome. mrs Huntlinc would have
been reasonably satisfied with her rs II
daughtcr-in-law if it had not been for the
prospect OF living with her As 4 dependent
upon her bounty.
Ned's father. feeling that he was soon
To die. had hoqucathed to him the home
stead and retail grocery store as legacy.
upo, the condition that his mother should
have home and its comforts during all
her declining wears. Mrs. Huntline was
sorely grieved because of the will. but she
was not the woman 10 protest against her
husbands diving wish. SCI she wept over it
in bitter and secret humiliation. and nj
last resigned herself, as Slen, MARTYR.
10 state OF dependence upon the good
will of her son and whosocver he might
marry. But she had not dreamed that he
would marry Molie Hawkins. whom. of
all the girls OF her acquaintance, she most
thoroughly disliked.
Il do not think can live happily with
Mollie. Ned, You know have nowhere
else to 60. and You ought TO consider my
wishes n little
''Whv. of course you can if You'll be
reasonable. You've only to turn every
thing over. just rs il stands. to her. and
YOU can take yonr seat and make yourself
comfortable. Id he thankful to anybody
that would take everything out Of my
hands and guarantee me support, with
out effort on my part. during the remain
der of my natural life"
..You don't know what Won are talking
about. Ned. 1t was never the design of
nature that any person should live that
way
Il know il wasn't 81 designed for men
but with women it is altogether different"
Mollie Hawkins. who had been an assidu-
Gus attendant upon Ned's father during
his long Illness. appeared on the scene At
this iuncture. as she had done for \ fort
night past. to know il she could be of any
service during the day.
1--WE just been telling mother about it.
Mollie." said Ned rising. ..Nother. allow
me 10 introduce YOUR new daughter"
My new mistress" thought Mrs. Hunt
line rising to salute her and trying hard