Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-19

CARTWRIGHr'S BOZ.
A TEMPERANCE STORY.

They will tell you his story in haitian.
hundred houses along the st. Johns river
near the spot, better, no doubt, than | can
tell it. But somehow the melting spring
tide warmth of these April days brings il
to my mind with a haunting vividness
that will not be dispelled.
1t was in the spring that they came to
Grand Fork, father. mother and son, and
set up housekeeping in an old, unused
building that stood alone near the river.
The father, as it turned out, was rail
road racker." in common parlance, one OF
certain nomadic class of laborers to
which the building of new railway had
given existence. He was a rough, litter.
ate man. hard working, and alas, like
many of bis clan, hard drinking; and one
day when he had swallowed quite toe
much whisky. if the least is not too much
he gave the section overseer a saucy re-
tort, that won him discharge.
He went home in a sullen mood, quite
sobered by this stroke of ill.fortune.
"Pve got the go-by, Mary" he said te
his wife, whats to become of US now'i
past tellin'; twas plenty bad afore."
Mary Cartwright Strengthened up from
the tub over which she was bending, the
tears gathering slowly in her faded eyes
David" she uttered TREMENDOUSLY. "we'd
do well emo vet Pm thinkin' if you'd
leave the whisky be. I've long been
wishin' we could anchor somewheres an
here's place as good sany, rent free SO,
an warm weather comm on. An we'd
all work together an live happy, David
and Davy could have schoolin' like other
folks children does. He likes readin'-
Davv does" she added, while a smile
frightened her care-worn face for an in
slant. IAN I've learned him far's know
| o David" there was sound like sob
| from the doorway. 1t was Davy himself
who stood there-an understood boy, and
lame. with pair of great, black eyes
lighting mp gloriously pale, thin face.
1t was Davy who sprang forward and
caught his fathers hand in both his own.
80 ather. if you would !" he cried ''ii
you only would, fatherw
"Tut!" exclaimed Cartwright. with a
short. uncomfortable laugh. as il asham-
ed of the touch of better feeling that had
kept him for a moment silent "Ye'd
best quit yer foolin' now, both o. We. AS
fer stayin' here, there's no such good
uck's gettin' away"
He slouched his hat over his face and
went out, taking the direction OF Larcom' s
grocery and GROCERY combined. The
| two left alone in that bare. comfortless
place looked into each others faces drear-
lily.
Never ye mind. Davy," the mother
said, turning TO her work again with a
sigh, yell 60 where we've never been
aiore-to school. That's a comfort, amt
it now? An mabbe things'll be better
soon. It's long road that don't have any
turns to it, ye know"
Eyes, mother" but his lips trembled
and his dark eyes glistened full OF tears all
the same.
The boys school-lite, not at all pleas.
ant one as it proved began in another
week. The school was small. The vii
lage of Grand Fork proper with its
church and high school building, stores
and offices lay on the opposite side Of the
river-the west side, and was connected
now only by ferry in summer. by an ice
bridge in winter. with the struggling
handful of buildings. called by courtesy.
East Grand Fork Here was but one
place of business arcom's; and the
dwellings mainly wore forlorn, il,-kept
appearance.
1t follows, naturally as water running
down hill. that the school was small and
lacking in discipline, and the teacher, be-
ing poorly paid, inefficient. though she
tried in weak way to be kind to the boy,
who stood among them all friendess and
alone. He was barely twelve years old.
and small of his age, and lame, as have
said; he knew nothing of the usages of
school, his clothes were very poor and
patched, though neatly. with odd bits of
cloth; his father was a drunkard who
more and more often as time passed bv,
went reeling along the street.
In view of all this you may say it was
but human nature that he should be target
for school boy tricks. for taunts which
made his life. so dreary at its best. bur-
den that at times he would gladly have
laid down.
He persevered IN spite of all, however,
bravely keeping his troubles from his
mother. She liked to have him 60 to
school, he knew; she was proud of his
progress. 1t cheered her in whose life
there was so little solace.
You're larnin right fast. know Da-
W." she would say fondly. San CROWN
too. An soon veil be man an comfort
to mother-as We be now, Davy." He was
making rapid advancement in his simple
studies, it was true. Already he was be-
vond others of his age in the school and
possibly the grudge against him was
deeper on this account.
But at length ray of consolation fell
through the gloomy clouds. One morn
ing there was a new scholar at school,
one. at least, whom Davy had not seen
before. He saw her first standing in the
open door with the breeze tossing her
soft, bright hair about her face, as he
walked slowly toward the school house,
hoping in his heart the bell might ring be-
fore he should win the notice of the bois-
ferrous group upon the play ground. This
was not to be, however. A moment later
and Jack Larcom. the leader of the school,
had espied the small. hesitating figure.
Hello, Limpyr" he called out derisive-
ly. whats the price of odds and ends, to-
day ?"
A shout OF laughter greeted this sally.
Davy, hating, felt that he must turn and
fly; he could not go on with that choking
lump in his throat. and his eyes so full of
tears-they would laugh at him more and
more.
The little maid in the doorway saw and
understood it all. Her blue eyes flashed
and an angry crimson stained her cheeks.
You ought to be ashamed of Yourself
for saving that, Jack Larcom - she said