Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-08-21
THE BESSIE MINE.

around her, and something diamond
bright gathered in either eye, and,
strangely enough, obscured with its
shining all the mountain scene.
A tall, notwithstanding man lean
ed impatiently against the outside
wall.
Il can't see, Agnes, why you must
always throw cold water on every
enterprise of mine which happens to
carry us beyond the Maine state
line"
cit surely has not been cold water,
Frank; only tears" the wife replied,
with pitiful smile.
"Well, as to that, il lisa proverbial
fact that man would perftr hose
turned on him any day than a cry
ing woman"
"Oh. Frank, don't speak so! You
don't know how dreadful this life is
to me. If only my mother or one of
my sisters were near; but only Bessie
and me all the day long! And Bessie
isn't well, Frank"
81 hope you don't expect to have
all your relations tagging at your
heels wherever you go. Now, Agnes
do make up your mind that some
privations must be endured in a new
country. can't for the life Of me,
see what great discomforts you have
here; but, as for me, should have
been hampered by 'too-up' eastern
notions every time staid in your
gloritied New England"
"But we were so happy there,
Frank-Our first home, where baby
was born, and where everything, from
the mint growing by the kitchen door
to the swinging of the garden gate,
had its associations. Why, Frank.
think even of my splendid flour-box
back there, and of the cunning little
corner cupboard you made for me
over the kitchen sink" And the
sad little woman turned her eyes,
with the fnr-away homesick gaze OF
Priscilla, back to the vine-wrea thed
home, the village streets, and to the
mother left behind.
''And as to me-" the man returned,
81 think OF that dirty, smoky black
smith-shop, where I've hammered
away Tor the last ten years, AMI no
prospect OF change until took that
ov~cc tho Ctvv -
"'Ithink ofthat. too; but oh, Frank,
/ remember the row of big naples
outside the door-their leaves must be
turning by now-and can see you
at your work. and remember how l
used to think no one ever could be so
handsome as my blacksmith singing
over his anvil"
The man laughed then.
f'Agnes. / verify believe this fever
to 60 back has put you out OF your
head"
He drew step nearer, and put 6
strong arm down around her slen
der waist, at the same time singing
in rich baritone, a snatch OF al
old song:
.'Some time I'll take you back, Kathleen,
And when the fields are fresh and green,
IN take you to your home again"
She sighed, and shook her head.
Nothing can ever be fresh ant
green, up here among the rocks
The freshness is even going from
Bessie's cheeks. Oh, Frank, l tr.
not to be homesick. but it will alway'
= hurt me, like my TOOTH"
She turned hurriedly away will
her broom to prevent burst .
tears.
well, now, Aggie, girl, do try AM
hold out n little longer, and tn
Bessie mine, up there on the hill
Will pan out to such degree tina
talk of green, fields'-we'n jus
naturally be in clover up to our cal
tops. You'll go back to see the folk
WIN diamonds hanging oil aroun
you; hke q South sen island princes
or the beilwether of the Ute tribe. "
agnes Hale smiled patiently, to
she loved the enthusiastic miner. an
really meant to do her part in th
new enterprise. But the time VS.
growing into the second wear. nov
when the Bessie had promised n
these things. and still she kent h,
treasures whatever they might be.
hugesds close to the bosom of +,
Mother Earth, only now and the
dropping "a CLINT Of gold in the ve
to urge on the toiling miner.
More times than she could cou,
Mrs. Hale called to mind her I'm
bands Joy over this color in ii
stone.
"Aggie, I've struck it at last!'
would exclaim, joyfully, thrown