The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-01-31
MISCELLANY.
MRS. LARKIN'S COMPANY.

Mrs. johnson, looking sadly around the
scene. "If Mrs. Larkin had woman's
heart in her bosom, she would have sent
some one to meet mel''
1t was frosty March evening, the orange
sunset still flaming in the west, the frozen
Lree-tops rustling in the wind, and the steely
surface of the river glimmering here and
there through thel openings in the leaAess
woods. March, of itself, is not an invigor.
,ting month-the fall Of night is gloomy,
even if you make the best of it, and there
vas nothing to excite hope or cheerfulness
K the fiat country around the Wagstaff Sta
ion, especially when the partially tbawed
road caught at the pedestrians feet, and
orisoned them in its plashy grasp at every
step, and the wind whistled like some discor-
liant musical instrument down the hill.
Mrs. johnson was very pale, and very
shabby, and very tired. She was like the
principal implement in the children's game
Of Button, button, who's got the button P"
inasmuch as she had been passed ON from
kinsman to connection, relative to friend,
nobody glad to see her, every one relieved
o get rid of her presence. The fact that
she was unfriended and penniless seemed to
be simple aggravation.
But as she stood there, half hesitating aud
wholly despairing, one-horse wagon, with
buffalo robe thrown over the seat, drove
down the road-the charioteer, TALL raw
boned Yankee, drew rein, and viewed her
sharply.
"Be you Widow Iarkins company ?" said
he.
Mrs. Johnson's heart gave a great, joyous
throb at this unexpected solution to all her
difficulties.
Eyes" said she. WAS she expecting
me?"
"Been expectin of you these three days"
'aid the man. "Jes' take hold of my hand
md put your foot on the top step-up you
go / calculate I'm a little late for the
rain, but our big clock allays goes slow.
and we'll be there, d'reckly minute"
He chirruped to his horses and drove on.
Mrs. johnson glanced timidly at him. This,
then, was Adam Ackley, the distant cousin,
who deigned to help the Widow Larkin in
taking care of her farm, and domineered
kindly over her the while. Aud Adam Ack-
ley eyed her under his thick brown eyelash-
ss with equal curiosity.
The Widow Larkin, in her best cap and
black silk gown, was standing in the door.
way, while beyond her portly form one
caught glimpse of most attractive inte-
rior, bright with freight and dip candles,
backgrounded with scarlet moreen curtains,
and catching prismatic glitters from the cut
glass and china on the tea-table.
swell, 1 do declare, Mrs. Johnson" said
she, "rm proper glad to see you. I hope
you haven't felt the cold much I'd Assent
the covered carriage, only it's at the black
smiths havin' q nut put on Pray walk
in, Mrs. johnson. Sit down. Lemme
help you off with your shawl. I'm only
sorry your blessed partner couldn't be with
you here I"
At this, poor Mrs. johnson burst into
tears.
"Oh, dear oh, dear !" said she. -Four
very kind, Mrs. Larkiu, and I'm sure
hadn't no right to expect such welcome at
this, but don't know how I'm ever going
to get along without himl"
Mrs Larkin uttered sympathetic sniff,
"Don't take on, there's DEAR" said She
Remember, it's only for little while, and
I'll do my best to make it pleasant home
for you here. The church ladies are all
cnming to call tomorrow, and"
But they're all strangers" walled Mrs.
Johnson.
You'll soon get acquainted with EN-"
said Mrs Larkin, cheerfully. And they're
al SO sorry for you. And now sit down and
have cup of tea. I'm sure you must be
clean tired out"
"a cup of tea !" meant delicious cold roast
fowl, apple-jelly, hot mufins, and raised
cake, and Adam, seated opposite the guest
surveyed her furtively from time to time.
"Would you like fire in your room ?''
said Mrs. Larkin, obsequiously. "There's
an air.tight wood stove there, and Adam will
fetch you plenty of wood, f."
swell, it is pretty chilly" said the poor
little woman, with a shiver; "and if il
wouldn't be too much trouble, should like
a little blaze of sticks, just to go to bed by.
But I think I'd ought to help you with the
dishes first, Mrs. Larkin."
II couldn't think of it," said the widow
"Me and the bound girl win soon get 'em
washed up and put away. You're here just
to rest and enjoy yourself. Mrs. johnson,
remember that"
And she escorted the company up to a
carpeted bedroom, whose sheets smelled of
sweet clover and rose-leaves, ard whose cur
tains were whittier than any snow.
You're very kind" said Mrs. johnson,
beginning to feel as If she had drifted into
some blessed haven of rest, after all the
forms of her life,