Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-04
Gales aud Sketthes.
THE NEW AGENT.

bones I'm starvin' myself; you are starv-
in; and the Lord knows our children are
poorly enough off. l tell you. faint no
use. can't live so. Sometimes. when
git to thinkin' of it right up an down-in
earnest-I feel as though I'd rather go to
the workhouse and have done with it,"
Il know it's hard Malcolm; but. real
", couldn't it be harder ?''
"Harder, Be harder? What can you
imagine harder'n what we have to endure
now ?''
II was thinking of the health of our lit
tie ones, Malcolm, and of our own health
too.'
Aye" exclaimed the weary man, with
a twist in his face that was comical, for it
was comical idea that had struck him,
land Just see what the health and robust
uousness of them youngkets is costin' me.
| sometimes think they'll eat US all up
aiore they get their growth"
Susan laughed, for she knew how fond
ly and tenderly her husband loved those
same 'youngkets," and how much he
would sacrifice for their sakes.
She was afraid he would be finally Civ
ing up the farm.
She was born on it, and she loved it
dearly, and it would pull terribly upon
her heartstrings to leave it.
Her six children had been born beneath
that same sheltering root and, altogether,
her life had been very pleasant and hap
py one.
Yet she knew that they were paying an
exorbitant rent-altogeth to much-more
by far than the farm was worth. But
others did the same, and he and she must
bear with them.
All this she said to her husband as he
sat by the fire filling his pipe. She spoke
modestly and kindly, and persuasively.
Malcolm lighted his pipe and smoked
for time in silence. At length he brought
his foot down with a crash and burst.
Dang it all | didn't mean to tell you,
Susan, but can't keep it no longer. Car
ter says the squire's goin' to make another
rise on the rent"
"No, no, Malcolm. You do not mean
it P"
Its just as true as gospel. Five shil-
Inns month. That's three pounds Il
year"
"Oh, Malcolm, | don't believe the
squire's got any hand in the business. It's
Carter's own dom now you depend upon
it,"
''I've thought o. that myself, Susan;
but look; The young blood is away on the
Continent-in Paris, believe, where he
has been ever since he came from Cam
bridge, and he's spendin' money fast.
tell you look to see the whole grand es-
tate, hall, abbey and all, put up to the
highest bidder one of these days. An
faint as twas when young Philips father
was lvin'. We weren't ground down
then. He lived on his place and looked
out for himself, and now you see where
the moneys gon' at he laid up-thou-
sands upou thousands of pounds!''
further smoke in silence and he add
ed
"If anything should happen at Master
Philip should be obliged to begin to sell.
this farm would be the very first bit of
property to 90. It's the farthest outlvin'
farm of the estate. Jest think of it! We
are nigh onto five miles away from the
Hall, and yet he owns all the land atweea
here and there-every rood of it. What a
shame it is at a young man without any
family, only his mother and two sisters,
should eat into such grand old heritage
so outrageously! Halloo! | declare, it's
ralnin'.
"Why, it's been raining this half hour,
Malcolm"
well. never noticed it until now. Eli!
Who's that, | wonderp"
1t was "a rap upon the outer door. NAL
colin got up and took candle, and went
to answer the summons. He found on
the broad doorstone a young man, tall and
strong, clad in rough forest garb such
rs gamekeepers and foresters were wont
to wear-leather breeches and leather
Jacket. with strong leathern CATERS, and
on his head Highland bonnet. He car
ried in his hand a fowling-piece, with
shot-pouch and powde-horn hit his sides.
Malcolm Wesley was not the man to
keep wayfarer at his door to tell his sto-
ry. when the whole story could be read at
a glance
"Ah, stranger! got caught in a shower,
eh? Come right in, We've room, sir.
and bit of fire to boot
Come to bring him into the full light.
they beheld a fine looking man, nearly a
head taller than his host, and well proper
toned; his skin tanned by exposure to
the weather. his blue ewes bright and
clear, his face handsome, with a look of
keen intelligence upon it.
The stranger spoke pleasantly and
cheerfully, and in laughing way de-
scribed his mishap.
/ He said the gamekeeper of an adjoining
estate was friend of his, who had given
him permission to run down a deer if he
could, but he hadn't done it, though he
had found good wetting. which would
help to fill out the story of the day.
| After he had partially dried his gar
ments, the good wife asked him if he
would take sup and a bite, if she would
set it before him.
With genial smile, he answered that
he was hungry. He would not put her to
trouble but if
Malcolm stopped him abruptly.
Don't talk of putting us to trouble, sir
What are we good for if we can't help one
another in times of treble and want? We
hain't got much, and what we have COTS
plain and homely, but it's good, and It's
honestly come by"
/ And thereupon Susan sat out a small
table, and prepared substantial meal.
/ Her three elder children came in from
the little kitchen, where they had been
parching corn, and seated themselves
modestly by the fire with dish of snowy
corn before them.
The stranger begged few kernels, and
the eldest, a girl of twelve years, at once
offered him half of what they had. but he
4 Al. L