Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-27

<.iE6 IF to WOfK at anything
 I@ and anywhere, but
 WSlEk-5 5flT11z1psso times were awfully
 <%Y1 vun bad, work seemed tt
 ~" be almost at a stand.
 ~@S66 still all over the
 country, and I had tramped and trudged from town to vii : lage, and village to town, in the hopes oi obtaining something to do, but without meeting with success.
 was jogging along one fine autumn afternoon. breeding over my hard lot. when, at turn of the road, I suddenly came upon young, but dejected and careworn looking slip of humanity, in the shape, form and dress of daughter of Eve. She was sitting upon stone on the edge of the footpath, and although not to say badly dressed, she looked the very picture of misery and despair
 Naturally of compassionate turn to- wards the weaker sex-especially when in distress-1 accosted her and inquired if she was lon the road" to which she answered ill the affirmative.
 You look pretty much about done up" observed.
 "Yes." she replied, wearily, 1T do feel tired ]; am going to W, and wish I was there, would then get into the casual ward of the 'house' (workhouse) and have good rest"
 Well, am going to apply for nights lodging at the very same institution my self, l said, "so if you've no objections we'll jog along together, and Til carry your bundle for you"
 So along we sauntered for about five miles, when we reached the outskirts of the town ill question-our destination Here l had some hopes of perhaps get ting some employment of some kind or other on the morrow, but my "hard-up'' state compelled me to take advantage of I hn N|Nks ''house' for this night at least
 My companion and I, by this time. had become quito friendly and confidential, and when she casually suggested-''just for Q bit of farce like," as she put it that we should seek refuge in the sshouse" | as man and wife, had not the slightest | objection to offer against such harmless arrangement. No, not I What did it l matter? l seemed to tumble to the thing quite natural like, and we both enjoyed a good laugh over it.
 So it was agreed that we should present ourselves as Peter Proby and wife, Mary Ann.
 On arrival at the institution in question We were duly admitted; but here we had to part company, being marched off to separate dormatories.
 On tho following morning had just finished my allotted task of stone-break- lng-yes: l had just completed my task, and was sitting down indulging in short rest after my exertions at the same time fiattering myself that I would very soon be outside the walls of the dismal looking abode, when up comes one of the Union officials
 Peter Proby?' said he.
 ''Yes, sir, that's me-" answered.
 Well" he continued, ''your wife was taken bad in the night, and she has given birth to two fine boys"
 "Holy thunder What?" I gasped. springing to my feet" My wife! Two fine whats?" At the same time feeling a sensation creep all over my system, as If my humanity had suddenly become in- spired with an impulsive shriveling downwards, with view to conglomerat- ing in my boots.
 If had not reared myself against the wall verify believe 1 must have fallen, the shock to my sensibilities was so acute.
 ''Well, if this is not staggerer, I don't know" 1 faintly observed, after had sufficiently recovered from the shock to find my voice.
 "Now, you needn't be SO awfully scared about the job," said my official in- former, "your missis and both the young 'uns is going on we'll, and you'll be able to see 'em all shortly"
 reflected moment, when suddenly
 
 "Ah, well, says I, II have completed my task, therefore think had better go out and look for work"
 "Not quite so fast. young man." quietly bnt firmly observed Mr. Union Official. You'll not be allowed to leave this place until your missis and family is able to accompany you, so you can make your mind easy on that score. But you'll be allowerto go and see 'em all by-and- by"
 With this highly consoling piece of in- formation he left me ito become little more reconciled to my position" as he feelingly put it, when walking away. Well, by all that's wonderful, seem to | have put my foot into it this time, and no | mistake" collectively muttered, as soon as was alone.
 And the artful hussy, never so much as to tell me how she was fixed! Imust ha been stark staring blind not to ha' l seen. l
 turned and twisted the matter over. and over, and over, in my mind, cudgel- l ing my wool-gathering brains to try and | devise some means of escape from tho | patcrnal responsibilities which had been l so suddenly and uncermoniously thrust | upon me, but could not find a single loophole.
 If l told them the truth, that she was not my wife, they would not blieve mo. No, they would cry only shame on me for meanly trying to shirk my duty and responsibilities as a father, and of twins, too So l concluded that there was nothing for it but to grin and bear it. But only wait until got outside the dis nal place. An! yes; I knew what I should do then! I felt in a manner somewhat consoled at the thought of what should do when once I got out.
 About II o'clock my cusitat:ons were cut short by the same Official who had broken the happy news to me appearing on the scene, and informing mo that 1 could now go to the hos?i,a! ward and