Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-04-02

now DIdNt dliu uODiC hc "oS. AA.'
last day / saw him l never can forget
He was so 10th to go. After he had
bid me good. by he came back and says
Minnie, l cannot say good-by. II
seems as if / must stay And ther
he sat down on the milk-room window
seat, looking the picture of despair.
81 was washing out the milk pans
and felt quite bad also, but L tried tC
cheer him up, SO said: 'It is only fol-
a little while, Ben. You will soon be
back
81 knowIit, but yet-'and burying
his face in his hands he sobbed aloud.
''There is nothing so pitiful as to see
a strong man cry. l hurried to him
and comforted him as well as l could
"'Well, Minnie, lie said at last, Il
must go. Goodbye, darling; whatever
you do, don't forget me-
lone parting kiss and he was gone.
''Ben and L had been lovers for six
months and more; indeed we had been
keeping company, as the saying was,
much longer. Now, after this voyage,
we were to he married, if 1t was 4
prosperous one.
''Ben was terribly 10th to go. Never
had L seen him feel so bad about leaving
home before. We had parted SO often,
| for Ben was fisherman, and we Usher
wives become used to parting with
husbands and fathers. l still sat i'll the
milk-room, lost in reverie, when Ben
put his head in again,
| 'GoOd-by. Minnie; don't forget me.
1t seems as if / should just rs lief die
as live if you go back on me-
"'Go back on you, Benl You know
better
"'I trust SO, he said, as he walked
away.
81 stood watching him out of sight
when auRtie came in.
Watching Ben out of sight, Min
ME? Don't you know that is unlucky,
and why has he come back so often:'
Auntie walked off, shaking her head.
| 81 went about my usual work. but 4
| dismal foreboding filled my heart
MY father and brother were both
lost in the bay while fishing, and my
uncle had been drowned the year before
ON his way to set his nets.
Nevertheless, had let Ben 60, sea-
son after season, and never felt any
fear until now. / tried TO shake il off,
but was scarcely myself all day.
| Towards evening Charlie Snow,
Ben's cousin, came in.
Z" "'Well, Minnie, in tears?'' he asked.
".NO, l am not in tears; but, Char
lie, l should really like to get some
word to Ben,' | answered.
"'Run up stairs and write your word.
The Snowdrop will Lay of Barrow al
night, and I'll take it around to him,
he SAID, good-naturedly.
"sWill you? Oh, how good you are,
| replied, and ran up TO my room to pen
as long a note as had time for to Ben.
Il told him to take care of himself;
| to he careful when he went out fishing
not to swear, and be as near aChristiau
as he could, and with a few more words
of counsel 1 sealed the letter and hur-
ried down to give it to Charlie.
"'How kind-hearted and unSeliiSh
you are l said as he prepared To de.
part.
".Not as unselfish, perhaps. as you
think, he answered, and Auntie called
after him some remark about Nettle
Grey, living at Barrow.
After Charities departure | felt
more light-hearted, and, singing song
after song, L went gayly about my even,
ing tasks. Several callers came in, and
it was quite late when | retired.
sit was a bright moonlight night,
and as We were short of oil | went &c
bed without a light. drew up the
blind and let the soft moonlight stream
into the room.
81 lay down to sleep, and remember
hearing the clock strike eleven before
went off into doze.
II had such a curious dream:
dreamt some great danger threatened
Ben, and l thought | was STRIVING my
utmost TO avert the danger, which grew
more terrible. Finally L seemed tC
awake only 20 see Ben standing ON the
balcony looking in my window through
the vines. / tried TO speak to him, but
l appeared paralyzed. When L did
awake l saw only the clear moonlight
shining through the vines.
Next morning | told Auntle my
dream, and she again shook her head
and looked sad.
| 81 felt little provoked, but then
said to myself, 'Auntie is full of signs.
1T was late in tie afternoon wheI
Charlie came in with a letter and q
package from Ben.
"'I never saw a fellow SO 10th to &C
in my life,' said Charlie, and l DOM
blame him, for he has got a captain
Il 10 I
"'Whys' | inquired.
"'Because he is british. He knock
ed a man down with a Delaying pin las
summer and beat him until he was al
but dead. L cOaxed Ben TO leave
especially as they are pretty rough Sc
the crew, L mean. Why, the onl,
decent chap there is Freeman Hunt
and you know what he Isl
"'Ol Ben will get along replied
Auntie; There never was so peaceful
chap.
II left them chattering away, AM
went to my loom TO read my letter.
s.It was a long letter, and just lik
what Ben usually wrote. After pag
about our plans and his Journey t
Barrow, he wrote:
"DARLNG:-It seems as if some
thing warns me not to go, but time
are hard and the pay is large, so Il
stick to my bargain. You know deal
you told me to be good boy; well,
will be very hard to be a Christian wit
such a wicked crew. And, anothe
thing, I've got to fish on Sunday, somt
thing / never did before, but I'll tr
and be as good as can. Dear fellow
angels could say no more But, Mil
jnie, do not worry about me. will
in the same boat with Freeman Hunt
and we will keep close to the othe
boats. l will try and take care OF my
self, for my life is very precious now
and will continue to be so as long a
you are true to me. Minnie, deal
there will never be any trouble betwee
us unless you make it. Take care G
yourself. and use the inclosed for any
thing you may want. l send m
photograph; it is not very fine ons
but still L hope it will suit you. An
now, goodbye.
MY letter ended very abruptly.
turned to the package. 1t containe
|, Ben's picture and purse with so.
| sGnid Rap tbinE I yvorlld accant an