Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-22
Gales aud Skftthts.
DOT AND NELLIE.

desolafe future-..that held no promise of
good 10 them,'' she bitterly told herself.
On the shabby bed lay her sister Nell,
sobbing Historically, and the echoes OF
their landlady's retreating footsteps
reached the ear as she beat hasty retreat
to the lower regions, after most ungrac-
ions call. Dot was = brave girl, but her
courage faltered as she thought OF what
was before them. and her voice was less
reliant as she turned to her sister.
..Well! 1t never rains but pours, and
il really is becoming a mystery what can
happen next! Don't cry Nell! | can
bear anything better than that. Sit up
and let US face the worst y
Nell raised tear-flushed face from the
pillow and with sad effort to smile, SAID !:
ii have one good left-my greatest
have you, Dot"
"Much good may | do you," answered
Dot. bravelv striving to swallow the SOD
half way up her throat, and blink away
the tear that dimmed her bright eyes;
..but here's the actual situation OF the
Misses Carey this bright June morning;
mill stopped work without notice; land
lady politely, but firmly insists on rent IN
advance or vacant room, Gt's near that
now, Nell.) Funds on hand, $4.65! 1t
will never do to give that woman $500.
and at the end of the week start out to
seek our fortunes with Is cents in the
purse. Come, sister. be brave! we will
90 now-this very morning! When we
reach ebb tide it turns, you know y
There were scant preparations to make.
Not one absolutely indispensable article
did these young girls possess. Everything
had gone during their mothers long ILL
ness. and for funeral expenses, and as
each took their little bundle and turned
for last look around the room that had
meant home for years to them, their diff
ferent natures showed plainly. Nell
thought only of the past, and chung ten
derby to its memory.
Dot saw for one moment, the wan
mother face pressed against the pillow,
and the recollection aroused a determine
ton to battle hard with the life before her.
Already she was eager to be going into
new scenes, new possibilities. "We will
buy some rusk and 60 out to the park this
morning. You have cried yourself half
blind and am bewildered by the sudden
fall OF our immense fortune perhaps the
fresh air, quiet and change, will help us
to think of something we can do, and we
can get lodging at the Home for a few
nights"
The day was passed beneath the trees of
the beautiful park. One plan after anoth-
er was proposed and pronounced imprac-
ticable, and a pang of terror wrung Dots
heart as she looked at her golden haired
sister, with the steadily increasing convic-
ton that the time had come when they
must seek separate homes and that they
could no longer hope to keep together.
Nell had never imagined such a thing
possible. and well the older sister knew
that hard as separation would be for
tender, clinging girl who so far, had new
er missed love from her life, whatever had
been her other wants. AS the sinking sun
warned them to "move on" Dot felt life
was cruel.
AS they were slowly passing Ninth and
Green streets, and wondering where all
the rushing crowd was going that filled
train after train, an idea flashed into Dots
head, and she drew Nell into the waiting
room and looked eagerly. wistfully, over
the multitude of faces in search of one
who would encourage her.
''What is itp Where are we going ?
What are you going to do?" questioned
Nell. startled by Dots abrupt entry into
the depot. But Dot pressed her hand and
whispered "hush," and studied one face
after another, her eyes dwelling but an in
slant on one, lingering on another, some
times taking a second look at another, as
if she almost found what she sought, but
yet was not quite satisfied. At last they
rested on quiet, motherly face, placid as
a summer evening, and after long, intent
look, she said, with curious tremor in
her voice:
81 have half mind to ask the lady sit
ting over by the window, if she knows of
place in the country where we could
work for our board for few weeks; she
looks kind-and comfortable-and. well,
guess I'll do it 7"
Mrs. Ames looked up in surprise as the
girl paused before her, but listened atten-
lively to Dots statement that they wanted
a place in the country. where work would
be taken for board, until they found some
way to earn living. She asked a few
not unkindly questions, sat in thought a
few minutes, and then. saying. "Wait.
please" went to the door and beckoned
to some one without. Their hearts beat
high with hope and fear as they saw her
talking to fine looking gentleman, whose
face at once won Dots heart, and knew
by his steadfast scrutiny that they were
the object of conversation. Dots quick
eye noted the searching look which made
rapid inventory of their simple dress,
coarse shoes, ungloved hands and pitiful-
/, small bundles, and as he turned away,
for one instant her heart sank like lead in
her bosom, but the next it bounded high
again. tor he handed the lady two tickets.
saying, Il think you are right; at all
events it is not much to risk"
Were they dreaming, or was she really
saying to them, "Would you like to come
and try our farm lifeP Perhaps it is what
you are in search of and we will see what
offers in your behalf"
Would we p"-and Dots grateful voice
spoke volumes of indeed we
would. Where shall we COP"
''Here are your tickets you will follow
my husband and myself into the train.
Dom; lose sight of us: we are to meet
quite party OF friends, and if you are
not used to travelling, you may easily miss
u.s."
Mrs. Ames did not see the loving hand
clasp of the sisters. as she turned away.
but her husband did, and he softly whis-
tied as he thought. "Mary's right about
those oirlS-sbe ALWAYS is rioht y