The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-07-14

| w bCoil ltll Ny W lGu II, VI u
have called before. come to see you'd
take tea at my house tonight I'll make
you comfortable, an it'll be a sort of
change for you"
Mrs. Denton made no reply. She stood
staring at her visitor as if she had not
heard her words. Then her eyes wander
ed to the gate, and fell at last upon the
spring wagon and its small occupant,
whose golden curls were escaping from
the close calico sun bonnet which shielded
her pretty face from the monday sun.
'Is that your child?" she asked, abrupt
| ly, but without taking her gaze from
Hetty. There was a hungry, yearning
| look in her eyes as she spoke, tremor
in her voice.
Gland sakcs! No indeed !" calculated
Miss keZiah, with virtuous horror in her
tone. II never was married. The only
man | ever cared straw for was drown
ed at sea, and those that cared for me
was mercenary in their views Hetty's
my sister James child. Jane, she died to
Helmstone some six months back. Come,
won't You jump in the wagon and go with
me? | didn't low to be disappointed in
havin' you to tea, so made all ready for
you"
eyes, I'll come,' said Mrs. Denton,
withdrawing her gaze from Hetty, who
was grasping the reins with ludicrous
earnestness, as if the steadness of old
Moll depended entirely upon her.
She went into the house and put on an
old-tashioned straw bonnet, and a faded
black merino shawl. Then she walked
down the path and climbed into the
wagon after Miss kezlah, without saying
a word.
! "lou forgot to lock your door," said
| the careful spinster, as she took the reins
from lIetty's little hands.
A bitter smile curlcd Mrs. Denton's
lips.
II never lock it," she said there is
nothing in the house worth stealing"
The TWO women logged along the quiet
country road. with the child between
them, Miss keziah talking on Indifferent
subjects, in her kind, sensible whole
hearted way She did not alude to her
visitors SORROWS, nor did she mention the
visits paid to the lonely cottage by other
members Of the sewing circle.
\ man took the horse when they reach
ed Miss keZiahs farm, which was mile
from the centre Of the town, and one Of
the finest i'll the country. 1t was well
cultivated, we'll stocked with fruits Of
various kinds, and its buildings were all
comfortable and roomy the house itself
being built OF stone, in a substantial, old
fashioned manner.
Miss keziah led the way into her sit
ting room. and helped her visitor take off
her bonnet and shawl.
"IIave this easy chair, Miss Denton,"
she said with great cordialty "and
make yourself to home. I've got to see
to supper, but ] guess Iletty kin amuse
you spell. lletty, mind you're good
while I'm gone"
She left the room and was absent near
y half an hour. When she returned
Mrs. Denton had Iletty on her lap and
was telling her 4 fairy story. The first
smile the poor Woman's face had worn for
nearly year, rushed on it as she looked
up at Miss keziah's entrance, and said:
.'Shc reminds me so much OF my little
Bertha. You can't tell the good that it
does me Just to hold her in my arms
! they have been empty so long"
y deep sigh followed the words.
"I'm glad she hasn't bothered you,"
said Miss keziah, cheeriully 'But now
come in to tea. | guess you're pretty
nigh tlmished awaiting for it."
\ sumptuous repast was in readiness.
Broiled chicken, cold ham, light biscuit,
apple grape, and pumpkin pie, dough
nuts, pound cake and cookies, composed
the bill Of fare, concluding with every
variety Of sWeetmeat and condiment, pre-
serves, pickles, honey and cheese Miss
Kezah could not have arranged a better
1ol la hooI, 10
tea, instead Of a poor woman whose
stony heart she wished to soften.
With a cordial smile the spinster mo-
toned her guest to a seat, and, after put
ting IEetty in a high chair, sat down her
self at the head Of the table and rever-
entity asked a blessing.
~ didn't put up as many kinds Of pre-
serves as usual this year." she observed,
as she helped Mrs Denton to plum jelly.
"I amt the woman used to be by a long
way. Rheumatic do lay holt on body
so, I'm in bed or on crutches half Of the
time. | calkerlate I'll have to give up
the farm if don't mend. | did lot on
having Jane here to manage everything
for me but, poor thing, the fever carried
her off all at onct, just as she'd got free
of that ornary husband O hers Td hate
to give up, though. Jane and me were
both born here, and Eve never knowed
no other home"
When supper was over the two women
walked about the yard, made tour Of the
garden, and admired the COWS as they
came leisurely up to the barnyard to be
MIXED. Then Mrs. Denton remarked
that it was growing late and she must
hurry home.
"What's the need Of your going 2 asked
Miss Keziah. 'I've got four spare rooms,
and would be glad if they were all full.
Suppose you stay all night? y
Mrs. Denton hesitated She thought of
her lonely, neglected house, peopled with
the ghosts of her dear children, and con-
trasted it with this bright, homeike
place, where Il child's sweet voice made
music.
"Do stay" said little Hetty, clingng
to the visitors dress.
This decided the poor, heart broken
woman.
II will, and thank you for asking me,
Miss Keziah. | have not deserved such
Kindness
That night after Hetty had gone to
bed the two women sat talking in the
large sitting room, which an open wood
fire made cheerful and bright. Gradually
Mrs. Denton was led to speak of her chill
dren, all now resting in their narrow
graves in the village cemetery. She
spoke of their uniform goodness and love
for herself, but said little of her grief at
losing them. Her voice sounded harsh
and strange to Miss Keziah, who under
stood the effort for control the poor wo-
man was making.
"Poor soul. you've seen IL sight of
trouble, know" the spinster said, softly,
and she put her hands tenderly on those
of her guest, they were clasped hard to-
gether
There was deep silence for few mo-
ments, unbroken save by the ticking of
| the eirht =laV clock in the c0rnar Than