Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-17
GALES arr6 Sketfkes.


LOIS Brand leaned over Ine low IdiiinS
OF the bridge to watch the npples on the
water for one brief, idle moment, and the
minnows darling about in that restless
fashion of theirs which made her think OF
the shunIes flying back and forth through
the warp in the weaying-room OF the great
factory where, day by day. she toiled for
the bread she ale and the clothes she wore
She wished she might forget everything
connected with the factory for little
while. II she could. she thought. 1t would
be rest. But she had watched the shuttle
fiying back and forth 40 long that the signt
Of almost any moving thing brought II Pc
fore her. And for 50 many years had sne
listened 10 the thunder and crash OF the
great looms that she heard them every
there She often wondered ii she should
ever get the sound of them out OF der ears
IA she stood there on the bridge think
inc In A spiritless kind of way OF what a
nIeasan, thing life must be where there is
no such drudgery, no such terrible mono
tony in il a. had been hers since childhood,
shutting out like cruel hands that bar adoor
all she had hoped for and longed for most.
a step aroused her.
She turned and saw Dick Evans. His
honest face grew bright at sight OF her
o MIN Sic was tic OiC "Olah IA S.AS
world.
..Good-morning, Dick" she said, in
tired kind Of way. Are you going to the
mill?"
Yes; of COURSE he answered, as il it
were scarcely possible for him to be going
anywhere else.
what fool / was to ask such ques-
tion," she said LAS If there was any other
place for US When we get into the mill
once we never get out till death puts an
end to the work If it wasn't for Fan
wouldn't care much how soon my work
was over. think. though never liked to
think of dying. But if one were dead he'd
know something about rest. wouldn't he /?
That's more than any of the mill-hands
while they live"
II don't like to hear you talk in that
way, Lois" Dick said. in that grave, gen.
tie way of his. when talking to this wo-
man he loved. There's no need of your
killing yourself at the loom as you are do
ing It's only for you to say Yes Lois,
and you know there is nothing I'd be
gladder to hear"
IL know, Dick" she answered, little
more tenderly but with much bitterness in
her voice yet. II am sure could be quite
happy with you, Dick. but there's Fan. 1t
wouldn't be right for me TO marry you and
bring you such load as two women. and
one Of them helpless as baby would be.
You'd find your hands full with me alone.
I'm afraid. and when You come to think
of Fan No, Dick; when think of the
burden both of us would be. can't make
it seem that it would be right for me to
say Yes"
didn't know all about Fan when
asked YOU 10 marry me?" cried Dick. do
you think would have asked you any
such question If hadn't been willing to
take care of both of you? You know
better. Lois I've thought the matter all
over. and I'm willing to run the risk of
the consequences Poor Fan wouldn't be
half the burden to me il you were to mar
ry me. that she is to you. | can work
well now. I'm laying up little money
every year. A man can work better if he
thinks he's working for some one who
loves him. Now. it doesn't seem as if
was working for anybody or anything in
| particular. Don't YOU know that the
thought of home puts lite and energy into
man! If knew that you were waiting
for me in home of your own. no matter
how humble it was, the hardest days
work would seem pleasant to me. The
thought OF the kiss you'd give ME mt the
door would help me more than the promise
of better place or extra wages. YOU'D
better sa, Yes" Lois"
Clang! clang! clang! rang out the fac
tory bell like great brazen voice thai
babe men and women who heard it ceas,
thinking of anything else but work. Loi:
shivered. The sound of that bell was sc
tangled up in her lite that the two could
not be separated, she thought. as SHE
reused herself from her listless mood anC
turned toward the factory.
II don't think I'd better take your adj
vice. Dick" she said, with little shake
of her head. Not yet while, anyway
1t woaldn't be right, think"
Il don't ask you to say Yes till you've
thought it all over" he said, walking
along beside her through the street lead
ing to the factory. Don't let the though
OF Fan, or the hard work I'd have to dc
keep you from saying Yes il you love
me, Lois. If you love me you have M
right to say No That's the way to lool
at it. Lois"
They went into the factory together
As they crossed the threshold the machin
cry started into motion. The wheels be
gan to turn in their tireless, swift way
and everywhere was din and clangor
Dreams might answer for out of doors
but there was no place. no time for then
here. No time to think OF love either
The warp was waiting for her at he
loom. 1t made Lois think of spider
web. The old factory seemed more lik,
great spider to her to-day than it eve
had before. How many men and womel
were caught fast IN its webs. she thought
as she looked down the long room and saw
the white. wan. tired faces by the looms
1t was nearly noon when Ralph Lever
son came to her loom and paused there t.
watch her at her work.
Ralph Leverson was her employer
This great factory and the men and womer
in it were his.
He stood there silently watching he
def, well-trsined fingers as they moved
among the threads for many minutes.
By and by
Those fingers of yours seem to worl
of themselves. Miss Brand he said.
Yes" answered Lois. scarcely pausins
to look up. 1--WE are machines
| She said ii with an accent of bitterness:
i s. L. -