Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-11
Gales aud Sketfhts.
HOPE.
A MIDSUMMER STORY

| Hope Bradley sat perched upon the
piazza of the Wampanoag House, looking
down with tender compassion into the eyes
of Mr.. Jack Morgan. Hope was eleven
years old, and Mr.. Jack Morgan was eigh-
| teen but Just now Hope felt at least forty,
and looked upon "Mr. Jack" as not more
than ten. You mustn't feel so bad" she
was saving. consolingly. There might
be a great many worse things than going
into business S'pose you'd broke your
leg, ike old Mr.. Griddlestone, how would
you feel then?"
..Wish 1 had" murmured the young
man.
Hope looked shocked.
"You might die with it, ''she said grave
". MRS. Thompson did-only hers was
govt. And it went to her stomach, too,''
she added. conscientiously.
..Oh. WE'LL" groaned Jack. at wouldn't
make much difference. | might as well
be dead as shut up in that stuffy old Office
in New York"
| A grieved look crept into Hopes face.
Don't you s'pose it would made a diff.
ference to other folks, Mr.. Jack p''
at might to you, Hope. but don't
know who else would care"
"Mr. Jack - reproachfully.
well, | suppose mother would; but
the girls are taken up with dancing and
beaux. and f,ther cares so little that he's
going to put me at business, instead of
letting me 90 to college as l want to-"
81 should think you'd want to help your
father, MIR. Jack"
His fore lead wrinkled little.
You're child, Hope; you can't un-
ders,and," he SAID. fretfully.
Hope was willing to take good deal of
snubbing from Jack, but this was trifle
too much. Her voice trembled again, and
the suspicion of tear moistened the great
gray eyes.
you SAID was comfort to you yes.
terday," she murmured.
He looked up quickly.
Ibid hurt your feelings, dear P" he
asked with tender infection in his voice,
quite different from his careless tone a
minute before You are comfort, Hope
"a sort of anchor. you know to hold on
by. And to think we've only known one
another three DAYS! What do you sup
pose I've done all my lite without you P"
The gltdness came back to Hopes face,
and her voice, when she spoke, had its
old. bright ring.
SIS it only three days p" she asked, at
seems to me as though Id known you al
ways. You won't forget me, will Won,
Mr. Jack ?"
He had risen from his seat and taken
one of the little hands.
"Will you ever forget me, Hope ?" he
asked
"You know | won't, Mr.. jack" grave
ly.
Suppose YOU should never see me
again after TODAY, Hopep"
A little shadow went over the sunny
face. ''These three days wouldn't be like
other days, Mr.. Jack"
They wouldn't be to me either, dear,
because they've taught me what Hope is
had the blues the worst three days ago
before you came, Hope
You're getting better, aren't you ?"
persuasively.
at would be a shame. if wasn't" he
SAID. earnestly, lone ought to get better
with Hope around"
"Yes!" uttered gruff voice behind
them-the voice of Mr.. Griddlestone, who
had come up on his crutches, unperceived
Hope is the best medicine | know.
Here she was telling me this morning that
my broken leg wasn't near as bad as
Mrs. Smiths asthma
"'Hope told flattering tale,"' quoted
Jack. Didn't you, Hopep"
Hope looked puzzled.
81 didn't mean to flatter Mr.. Griddle-
stone. only wanted to make him feel
better"
The old gentleman laid his hand kindly
on the soft brown hair.
$50 you did, he declared 81 wish ev-
ervbodv took as much pains to make peo-
pie feel better as you do"
"Well. / feel better" said Jack -"thanks
to Hope-but am not all right. yet. any
more than you are, Mr.. Griddlestone
That would treshen us up. Do you think
your mother would let you go?"
Hopes eyes sparkled.
"How lovely that would be, I'll 90 and
ask h er right off"
"Tell her we'll 60 with Captain Bill
Brown" called out Jack, as the slender
little figure sped down the piazza to
where her mother was sitting.
| 1t was with a slower step that, after a
minute, she came back. The shadow of
passing cloud was over the bright face.
and the soft voice had in it a little tone of
disappointment
Mamma says she'd rather not, Mr.
Jack. And she thinks you oughtn't to 90
either; because the clouds are gathering
and she's afraid there's going to be a
storm"
He gave careless glance up at the sky.
"Oh. | guess not. Hope, and Captain
Bills famous sailor. Anyhow you'll
go down to the pier and see me off. Come
and we'll ask your mother"
Mrs. Bradley made no objection. She
had taken almost as strong fancy to
Jack as had Hope. and was willing, she
said, to crafty 'the children" in any
reasonable way. But she warned the
young man about the clouds. and cautioned
Hope to come right back when MIR. Jack
had gone.
DO yon really think it's safe, Mr..
Jack9' asked Hope. anxiously, when after
few minutes stroll along the plank walk
they had reached the pier.
Jack laughed confidently.
There's Captain Bill" he said. Task
him"
what shall l call him?" whispered
Hope. ut doesn't seem very polite to
say Captain Bill Ouphtn't to saw Can