The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-04-08
Bess.--A Story from a Mining Town

Bess sewed for Mrs. Barrows, " Mil
liner and Dressmaker." She came into
the shop the morning on which our
story begins, and was cordially greeted
by Mrs. Barrows and the girls who were
already in their places. "Good morn
ing, Mrs Barrows." Good-morning,' -
girls" was her return salutation. Then
she passed into the next room to lay
aside her wraps, before sitting down
with scissors and tape-line and pattern.
Bess had as 1.-THE and graceful figure
as ever belonged to the tabled Indian
maiden. She was really handsome in
her way. Her skin was dark, and vet
so clear that the deep underglow of
rose-color was plainly seen. Her hair
was dark and wavy. Her large brown
eyes were her glory. Indeed, the girls
of the high school where she had at
tended found no better way of teasing
practical Bess than by making refer
ence to those romantic eyes" But
if the eyes shone with depth of feeling,
the mouth was expressive of strength
and kindness. Added to this was that
indescribable effect which good health
always gives to face and figure. And
above all was that charm peculiar to
American wOmen-a glow of sprightli-
ness and intelligence lighting up the
whole face in conversation.
The girls began their fusiade, re-
marking that those cheeks were more
than usually brilliant. "You're look
ing your brightest this morning, Bess
why is it? 1t must be because of your
long walk in this Michigan air, with the
mercury at zerop' 81 suspect some
gentle Montana breeze has been waited
this way" said another with a merry
look. They knew that two years be-
fore young man had gone to Montana,
who was friend of Bess. But they
did not know that in her heart she
called him "Dear John" Nor did
they suspect half the truth of their own
illusions to the missives that passed be-
tween them. For Johns letter had in
deed served as a sort of brace to those
shapely shoulders, had served to take
the tiredness out of that supple back
Bonded so constantly over the needle.
All, it is love that keeps our faces bright
and our forms unbent beneath the bur-
dens of life!
However, it was not a letter from
John, but one to him that had started
the glow on her face this morning and
caused Bess to wear look of sweet alb
straction which is the lovers too trans
parent veil. She had good news for
him, and in three days the letter,
which she had just dropped into the
village post-otlice, would rejoice the
loyal lover. He had waited long, hav-
ing only her promise, Whenever
mother can spare me-"
The young ones must have their
" bit and sup" as the mother often re-
marked, besides clothes and schooling,
and rent was high. They had lived
fairly well as long as Captain Maynard,
superintendent of the Sabin mine, had
lived to provide for his own. But
when he was taken away another cap
tain was given the position, and "the
company's house" must be vacated
The widow and her five children took
shelter in little cottage near the limit
of the town. Even then it required
more than Mrs. Maynard could do to
keep the wolf from the door. So gen.
tie Bess volunteered to find work, and
that is why she sewed for Mrs. Bar
in far-away Montana.
But John was not idle. He was, in
western phrase, " a hustler" He was
surveyor for large mine, besides be-
ing entrusted with work for his rapidly
growing city in the mountains. And
he was what too many "leading citi-
zens" in mining towns are mott ohm
was man whose moral character was as
untarnished as gold; be was a blessing
to the town and support to the church
of his choice. And though he was now
abundantly able to care for the one
whose life already seemed part of his
own, he summoned what resignation
he could and-waited. "Stay by your
mother, grille, as long as she needs
YOU" he had written, " for know that
some time our hopes shall be realized.
Faith can not be unanswered,
Her feet are firmly planted on the rock;
Amid the widest storms she stands undaunted.
Nor quails before the lOudest thunder shock;
She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer
And cries 1t shall be done sometime, somewhere"
So he had plodded faithfully on, bridg-
ing over the present disappointment
with the strong beam of hope. And so
too Bess had toiled on, fastening many
bright bit of anticipation with her
countless stitches
But this morning her mind was in
tent on the good fortune that had Just
come to her family, and was fancying
Johns delight when he should read it
in her letter. Here are some of the
words: Brother Fred was promoted
yesterday and is now a full-hedged en-
gineer. You know he has been serv-
ing an apprenticeship. He was not to
have an engine or to earn full pay till
the old engineer said he was capable.
Yesterday vacancy occurred at one of
the engines, and Mr.. Oiler said that
Fred was perfectly competent to take
charge of it. His pay now is great
deal more than / can earn; so mother
can do nicely without me, and" (here
Bess traced the lines twice with her
penn "and / may go with you" Sim
Pile words, yet they meant all that more
elaborate sentences could possibly con.
vey. She wondered how John would
look when he came to that part of the
letter. She wondered what he would
write in answer, and then she wan.