The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1892-12-19

Sullb lldt ilblc lHdil Htl Nliiit' tliphEll
raw material ON her clothes to manu-
facture whole family lie coaXcd
and cajolcd, but, my! how that baby
screamed.
II hope" he said, turning to the wan
faced woman who was her mothcr-"I
sincerely hope She is not hurt"
The poor creature grabbed the child,
pressed her to her bosom. dirt and al
and with a few magic words brought
back the old smile.
There's nothin' the matter wild her."
she said. "She's got good lungs. any
how Sure, it's only fright A httie
wathcr is all she wants, and God knows
it's the only thing | can give her
PRAY. where do you reside, my good
woman?' asked Eben
Reside is it," she answered well.
sorr, I'm not bothered much tnat way
But, begin your honor's pardon, me
room is ON the third back jist round the
corner"
"lf you have no objection, mais1m,
said Eben, courteously II will accom-
pany you and see that the child is all
right
1t was an interesting trio. krumble
did not feel quite at ease in his sur
roundings, or, in the language of
science, he was not in harmony with
his environment. There was a start
ling contrast between his clothes and
those which Mrs. Moloney wore, and
between his well-fed appearance and
her careworn face. | can't say he en-
iar~aI tho int hut 70 i
even toothache has the magic charm
of novelty.
When the door of the room was
opened, Mrs. Moloney remarked:
THE likes of yez has never come up
thin stairs afore; but you're just as
welcome as the queen of England
would be, and indade little more"
She busted chair with her apron,
and Eben took it with entire nonchal-
of the furniture.
There was a pine table which had
only three legs, the fourth having
dropped through sheer decrepitude.
1t stood upright, however, for it leaned
against the wall. There were four
chairs, which wouldn't have brought at
auction dime apiece. The floor was
wholly innocent of carpet, but
scrupulouslv clean.
"Oh, ho," said Eben to himself, 81
know now why wanted to be worth
million. Life in such Il place as this
would be worse than death. No carpet
That last rug of mine cost four hun
dred and fifty. A twenty-five cent
chrome on the WALL Why, have an
Appleton, Brown and a Dewey worth
enough to run this little household for
ten years. Either I'm mighty lucky,
or Mrs Moloney is particularly I'M
fortunate"
His reverie was interrupted.
'When Pat was carried to the cimc-
terry" said the woman, II moved into
wan room. Arrah, but thin was happy
days, before Pat died"
GLOW did it happen?" asked Krumble,
sympathetically.
"Blowed up! AT three o'clock in the
afternoon he was at the works. Ten
minutes later he was on his way to
Iliven. An when they brought home
what was left of him, me heart died
widin me, an I've had sorry time
since.
Pat she continued, was a good
pervider, lie was that, savin' your
presence. Many's the time of Satur-
day night he'd say to me: bridget,
says he.
"'What do We want, Pate says |.
Take the big basket on your arm,
says he, an we'll go down to Washing
ton market. got to feed We we'll, says
Pat, or ye won't kare your good looks.
He WAS always a-flatterin' of me-"
and the woman's lips tremblcd.
WIS, Pat and ned bring home fine
bone for stew. and an illigant cab
bage or two. All. thin were great days
for me. Oftcn's the time I've said:
bridget Moloney, it isn't every woman
as has a man like that
And it's not every Pat interjeetcd
Ebcn, who had become interested,
that has a Bridget like You"
Your honors foolin' wild me" was
the reply. But | kept the house
clane, if do say it meself. darned
his stockiu's and put as neat patch on
his trouser knees as the best of EN-
could; an as for coollin' wasn't to be
bate on any floor of the house. Thin
days is a long way behind me now.
haven't had me mouth full since Pat
died, an me teeth has got loose. they've
SO little to do.
Her tongue was a bit loosened also,
as she added, philosophically: "ln
thin days was treated respectful an
they spoke of me as Pat Moloney's
wife, which was enough for any woman
to ashpire to- An whin they met me
in the street wild me foinc clothes on.
it was: 'Misthress Moloney, God bless
ye! How do We do?' But now l am
called, Indifferent like, the Wildly
Moloney" an all because there's no
Pat on the primises It's quare
wurold! 1t is that" During this con
versation Mrs Moloney was scrubbing
the face of her child. The little ones
tears had dried, and her eyes were full
of laughter.
Good Heavens! believe that baby's
really happy" thought Eben. "Myste-
rious, but true. Nothing to be happy
for, but stll happy"
Hadn't you better take her dress
off and put on another" suggested
Rumble.
Mrs. Moloney looked at him inquir-
ingly She was unwilling to confess
that that was the only garment the
child had. So Sic. ..s.... ...-,s,.
"She might e4..l c.. ii | "a $500.
of a sudden, lilieiAat. Lin =, Acs
under the bedclotles t5-aight III put
the dress in tab uad give it Il soak
in"