Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-04-23
GYPSY ISAIAH'S WIFE

booming in the valley below, and knot
Of crows cawing mournfully in the tree
tops above the farmhouse roof. it was
lonelier still.
Mr.. Trott was in the kitchen, with .
solder kettle bubbling over the fire; be
was mending huge kettle wherewith
he proposed to rife the sweetness OF .
neighboring grove of maple trees in the
coming month Of Mach. Mrs. Trott was
studying out the complicated pattern OF
u new device in patchwork, lent her by
q friend, with half a dozen blocks OF Tur-
key red, four of white and two Of corn
colored calico; and Deborah, the only
daughter, was trimming over her Sunday
hat with newly ironed pink ribbons and
a cluster Of artificial rosebuds which she
had bought cheap at the clearing of sale
of the Stockbridge milliner-and all
three were silent.
Suddenly the clock struck, with q
whirring sound, like an asthmatic 10
Gust!
as that 4 o'clock" said Mrs. Trott,
still puzzling over the blocks Of Turkey
red.
"That's4 o'clock, said Mr.. Trott, look
ing into the boiling silvery mass over
the stove.
1--WE shall have to light candle soon,
said Mrs. Trott. For she had never seen
that modern abomination, a gaslight,
and made it her boast that no drop Of
kerosene had ever crossed her threshold.
She burned symmetrical white candles
of her own running, in old fashioned
brass candlesticks with snuffers and ex-
tinguishers to match. II wonder where
Isaiah is? We need new logs for the sit.
ting room fire tonight. Squire Draper
son told me he should drop in, in q
friendly way"
Pretty Deborah frOwned over the bunch
Of rosebuds; she was dimpled, blue eyed
girl, quite unaccust omed to the business
Of frowning. so that it was rather an
effort for her to contract her bronze
brown brows.
Isaiah slowly repeated Mr.. Trott,
still intent on the kettle. why, I've
sent Isaiah over to Marshall Hills with
that fifty dollar BILL"
Mrs. Trott dropped her spectacles.
"Thomas Trott! You haint, never"
cried she.
Eyes, have" said Thomas Trott
"Why shouldn't |? Whitefoot is lame
and I've no notion Of walking over to
Hills with my rheumaticky old bones
And the interest on my note is due to-
day, SO just gave it to Isaiah, and told
him to step lively and get back before
DUSK
Mrs. Trott drew an ostentatiously long
sigh.
Then you may be very sure Of ons
thing, Trott,' said she. you'll never ses
neither Isaiah nor that fifty dollar bill
again"
"Why not:' said her spouse, staring.
Because Isaiah belongs to gypsy
race, and because all our neighbors ad
vised us not to take him in when we did!'
Hes worked just az well as il there
wasn't gypsy blood in him. hasn't her
demanded the farmer, sternly.
IL don't say but what he has," id
mitted Mrs. Trott. II only know tina,
what's bred in the bone won't scrub ou
of the flesh, and it II be just like GYPSY
Isaiah to cut and run with that fifty dol
lar bill. And you're a bigger fool than
took you for. to trust wild fellow lik,
that with solid money"
But here pretty Deborah rose, flushed
and painting, from her chair.
~ II. I.
aflame. you shall not talk SO! Isaiah i,
as true and good and noble asif the blood
Of kings ran in his veins"
"Hoity -toityr' cried Mrs. Trott ir
amazement And what is Isaiah Black
burn to your
Just this" said Deborah; that I'm
engaged to him."
Engaged to-marrv him."
"Yes-to marry him."
"Debby,' said Mrs. Trott. "are you
crazy?'
II love him, mother" Debby simply
made response. And he loves me-and
we are to be married as soon as he ha,
laid up little money to rent farm Of
his own"
Indeed said Mrs. Trott, frownine
darkIy. And your parents consent,
suppose, is matter Of no consequence
whatever
1--WE thought, mother" said Debby,
with downcast eyes, that you would
offer no objection to what would make
me so very, very happy"
Perhaps" rigidly added Mrs. Trott,
you don't know that Orlando Draper ia
coming tonight with the especial inten-
ton Of making an offer of marriage to
you-Squire Diapers son, with . red
brick house and bank account at Stock
bridgeF"
Then he may 60 away again" said
Debby, rcsolutely. For never, never
will marry anyone but Isaiah Black
burn"
IA stray gypsy lad, brought up In the
woods. with nobody knows who for his
father, and knack for chicken stealing
1t his finger ends" sneered Mrs. Trott.
"Motherr' pleaded the girl.
Nov. Betsey. don't" said the farmer;
THAT amt fair. Isaiah 8 as good .
young chap as ever stepped. And II
you'll just remember. was a. poor -
any gypsy of the lot when first we MAJ.
ried. Deborahs my only child, and shs
shan't be leased! Come here, Pussy, and
give the old father kiss"
And the stormy February Afternoon
darkened into snowy nightfall, and
Debby gazed wistfully down the road,
wondering why her lover had .,ot r.
turned.
He has had time to go to Marshall
Hills and back twice" she said TO her
self.
1T Ia strange" said Mr.. Trott. "lsa-
iah amt one to loiter, in general" .
Didn't tell you soy' said Mrs. Trott.
You'll never see neither Isaiah nor the
money again"
And when O'Clock came Mr.. Trott
put the horse into the old fashioned red
cutter and climbed reeolutely on the seat.
Lame or not lame,' said he, "Old
Whitefoot has got to take me over 70
Marshall Hills tonight"
ITS no USE said Mrs. Trott, dryly.
y gu u find the bird has flown. He can
' sl P 51ss G g K. sound and AS,e.l
eoni eufnpu- \ tatfon Timher n -