Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-28
Mrsffllanrnns.
LOVE AND TRIAL.

some were poorer than others-so poor
that we had not enough black bread to
eat-so poor that when the hard winter
came creeping upon Us, like some cruel,
hungry wolf, we had no brands with
which TO scare it off.
In Betina's cottage, where she sat and
spun while her childish old grandparents
nodded in their chairs beside the fire.
place, all was as clean as it could have
been in a palace but she had hard work
to fill those two old mouths and her own
also. There was no one else to do 1t.
The LADY at the great house bought her
fax, and paid well for it. But. after all.
Bertina had but two hands; and two lit
tie brown hands cannot do all the world g
work. | used TO say to myself that Tune
should come when Bettina should not
work at aIl-when | would work Tor ootn,
and for the old people also. That was to
be when we were married. Bettlna anu
had been betrothed two years. We were
betrothed still, and no nearer marriage.
though had striven with all my strength.
wait patiently" Bettina said to me
sometimes. What does it matter? We
love each other; we trust each other! let
US be content"
But could not be content. Others who
were as poor as we married, and left their
native land together to seek better Tor
tunes elsewhere. Bettina would gladly
have shared my fate, whatever it might
have been, but the old grandparents
bound her to her cottage and her birth
place.
As for me, felt that if | would ever
win Bettlna | must leave Savoy and 60 to
America, where SO many OF our country
people had already gone, and whence
they wrote letters that made our hearts
beat with hope for the future. In that
happy land might realize my dreams.
told Bettina so, and though she wept, she
said:
Go. Go, Bernard, and will pray for
you. 1t is all glrl can do"
At last had money for the voyage. |
had saved it little by little, for two long
years, and now the parting houl had
come.
ut is that we may be with each other
always some day that we part now," |
said.
Her tears tell over my cheeks. We
pressed each other in a long embrace.
An, ii only time could have stopped in his
flight at that moment, leaving US in each
others arms. AT last tore myself away,
and blinded by my tears, set OFT upon my
journey.
had no fear that Bettina would forget
me- knew that the rich young farmer
who so often rode many miles to see her.
longed for her love, and wooed her with
ali Inc art he had; but Bettina loved me,
and love is adamantine. All! how little
did | know of the future at which then
peeped through the golden glasses OF hope
and love.
We crossed the sea in safety. | stood,
at last in strange land and among
strange people; but 1 found them not un-
kind. | found work at once. Living, as
we Savoyards live at home, Ispent little.
Week by week the little heap in my mole
SKIN pouch grew greater. | was glorious
ly happy. | wrote joyful letters to Bettina.
She answered me as hopefully. 1t is lit
tie to tell, but, ah, 1t was so much to feel
and TO do!
A year passed by-twelve long months
One more year and she would come to me.
The months would slip away like the
beads upon the rosary of one who prayed
Tor blessings. | should feel her hand in
NINE when they were all counted.
should press my lips to hers-all would
be forgotten but our meeting, and while
lived the old people should share our
happiness.
Win such thoughts as these in my
mind, | entered the great factory where
worked one day. | said to myself as
threw of my jacket:
AT noonume will write to Bettina.r
WHAT do we know of noontime at dawn
What do we know of night at midday
Nothing.
4 remember thinking this. remember
crossing the long room. remember q
sudden flash and crash, and the oaths o.
men. and girls mad scream. After thai
nothing more, until sense of pain awak.
eDed me, and found myself lying in the
dark, with my own hand, cold and clam
my. lying in great, warm, soft hand thai
held 1t very tenderly.
| tried to rise, could not
Where am ?n / said. and NV voice
sounded low and hoarse in my own ears
"Who is this Pr
alt is the DOCTOR" said voice. BE
calm, my friend
lis it night?' | asked.
lit is night" said the voice.
why do you not light lamp ?n'
He made no answer
what has happened ?"
"Do you not remember p"
81 remember noise
at was an explosion" he said, after 8
pause. You were hurt. There wer,
many killed outright"
Doctor said lis it night -
at is night" he said solemnlv.
"But only tor me- said. Il know it
| am smitten blind"
Try to be calm, my friend" he wills
pered. at is hard-but try to bear it. ,
What can we do but bear what Goo
sends upon usP But | did not bear i
well. Can you wonder? All was gon,
all my hope of life, and even all that
had won in the past year. Some wretcl
had stolen the little mole-skin pouch from
my bosom. was a beggar and blind
prayed to die, but lived. and at last grew
strong again.
One day, as sat by the hospital window
| formed a resolution. | said to myself
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