Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-22
Gales aud Sketthes.
TIE TURN OF AN ACCIDENT.

1t was six O'Clock OF crisp October
morning, and John Boyd, farmer, rous-
ing from his sound nights sleep. sprang out
of bed with the alert readiness of man
who knows the value of the first hours of
day. 1t was tavern bed from which
he jumped home and cares were many
miles away; but a long ride lay before
him, and he washed and dressed briskly,
as one in haste, humming a cheerful air,
meanwhile, as became a man who felt
himself in good spirits, and had ample
reason for being so. For. be it known,
this year had proved the best for farmers,
since John had been his own master.
| Harvests had been large, prices high, and
John, on. his way back from the annual
market, carried a sense OF freedom and
! liberation at his heart faom the final eXtin-
guishment of a mortgage on his farm-a
mortgage which had pressed as heavily
on his conscience, as did the burden of
Christian on his shoulders. The burden
was lifted now, and, further than that,
John carried in his fat, red wallet two
hundred dollars over and above. toward
the expenses of the next year. He had
never been so beforehand" before, and
the sensation was joyful one.
My neck is out of the collar, now he
muttered to himself, as he brushed his
thick, brown hair. Il should be a fool in
deed if put it in again. No mortgages
for me ~
Then, his toilet completed, he ran down
stairs, two steps at time.
Farmerlike, his first visit was to his
horses. They were munching their corn
very satisfactorily, and after a look or
two, and pat, John returned to the inn,
where langlIng bell announced "A break
fast. 1t was smoking on the table-a
substantial meal of the kind universal in
taverns thirty years ago; and John Boyd,
whose appetite was of the kind proverbi-
ally said to accompany good conscience,
was doing it ample Justice, when a sudden
instinct led him to thrust his hand into the
inner pocket which held the two hundred
dollars. The wallet was gone
In the suddenness of the shock, John
felt himself turn pale, and then flush pain
fully. as he confusedlv tried to remember
if he had taken out the wallet, and when.
Under his pillow-there it was He recOl-
lected distinctly, or so it seemed, putting
it there, for securty's sake when he went
to bed the night before. With a muttered
excuse, he lett the table, and hurried up
stairs. The door of his room stood open,
and the maid-servant was putting fresh
sheets ON his bed, and the soiled linen was
lying in heap on the floor,
Toward the heap John hurried, and be-
gan turning it over.
Have you lost something, sr?" asked
the maid
John Strengthened himself to answer
He had not noticed the maid before,
al 4 /
supper. Now he observed that she was
young and rather pretty girl, fair, with a
trim, slender figure, beautiful glossy
hair, neatly dressed and braided,
and pair of sweet, apprehensive
blue eyes. Her voice was soft, too; and
she had shy, modest manner, which sug-
gested an idea of refinement. All these
things Farmer Boyd observed in a flash,
and instinctively noting. weighing, esti-
mating, by that wonderfully rapid process
of which the human mind is capable,
while yet his thoughts were full of his
money and his loss.
Yes; | am looking for my wallet
which left under my pillow. Did you
find it?
The girls face blanched TO a deadly
whiteness. and her eyes dilated as with
sudden terror.
mo sir, - she said. her voice trembling
and sinking away as she spoke. 81 didn't
see any wallet
John looked at her distrustfuly; but
there was something in the pale face
which disarmed suspicion.
I'D like to search the bed" he said
1T may have slipped under the mat
tress."
Together they turned the mattress. but
no wallet was visible
That off horse of yours has got his
shoe loose, somehow" announced Mr..
Nash, the landlord. suddenly appearing
at the door. II thought I'd better tell
you, so that YOU can stop at the black
smiths as you pass, and get him to put
in couple of nails. Why, what's the
matter ~
John explained.
The landlord looked very grave. He
whistled softly to himself for a minute.
with his eyes fixed on the tumbled bed.
ding; then he went to the head of the
stairs, and called his wife. Presently
they came in together, and the landlady's
face looked very red and troubled.
'Such thing never happened in my
house BEFORE she protested. but
there's only one person that has been in
your room since you came, beside you--
self, and she's the person you must reckon
WITH" pointing to the maid, who, with