The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-11-23
JIM'S MISLEADING.

al think" said Marie, "there is a
house upon the north of yonder
mound. Perhaps it is a deserted
ranch"
at is cabin, and seems to be de-
serted. We might bring water from
the ranch and bathe our faces" sug-
gested Marie, tanning with her flap
ping shade hat, a face once lily fair,
now sun-kissed and wicd-blown to a
tawny hue sadly at variance with the
tlaxen hair.
Somebody has lately been here, and
that somebody is woman. She must
have been fond of solitude-oh! Lu-
cille, do not look into the kitchen!"
cried Marie. "Why did we stop here?
1t is a woman! She has died alone. "
A search in the house for vessel
that would hold water was vain. For
tunately some thrifty traveller had
sought the shady side of the huge
mound, when they rested and lunched,
leaving behind them number OF
empty cans.
"Alkali!" exclaimed Marie, tasting
the clear and cold but disagreeably
impregnated water.
The woman revived, opened her
bright hazel eyes, and looked wonder
ingly about her. We held water to
her lips which she drank thirstily, say
ing feebly:
Its coolin' when ones burnin' up.
I've wanted water so dreadfully. an
there was nobuddy to give me drop.
jimmy man-he-he-went on
'thout me. L kind o. pestered an
Rendered him-sence-"
Don talk if it distresses you. ]
have crackers in my bag. I'll mois-
ten some with water, and you must
eat" said Marie soothingly.
"God has sent you. The poor tramp
will not die alone. You'll write to ia
ther an mother-tender. loyin' souls
-'at I've loved 'em always. You may
see Jim-Jim was kind o dazed into
goin' again me by misleadin' young
er an purifier woman. His heart was
allus mine. l can't go agin Jim 'cas
he was weak we are all that-weak an
in need of charity an that love that
covers faults. can't think God'll be
hash with them's that weak an lovin.
"You see / was an only daughter.
an we lived beside fathers mill in q
country place hidden by the hills. The
big mill wheel was allus comp'ny for
me. I'd take my knittin' an linen
bleachin' close to the bank, an watch
the water showerin' an sparklin' as
the wheel buzzed and whirred around.
Oh, hear in my dreams the water
drip, drip, drippin' from that old
wheel!
"Father and mother warned me
ag'in Jim when he hired as hand an
came to board with us. But Jim's
ewes were so speakin' his hair black as
a crows wing an his ways so winin
that | couldn't believe he'd do as
mother said, break a woman's heart
an laugh at her for lovin' 'em, an
then | wanted to get out in Jim'f
world where folks hadn't gone tc
seo.1.
"Father offered Jim share in the
mill if he'd stiddy down, but he had
no idee o. doin' that. So one night'l
stole away like thief from those who
loved me an went with him. Hand il
hand we stood beside the old mill
The drip, drip, drippin' of the watel
said, Don't break the hearts of those
dear old peopleh l cried out:
81 can't do this thingr
"But Jim kissed me and said:
".You shall never rue the step.
love you more than live itself.
II followed his leadin', hearin' plail
for days afterward the swash of th
water over the dam.
"Jim's leadin' has led me down
down into poverty, shame, an al
sorts of sufferin' I've half starved
| froze, borne abuse, neglect an through
| it all hoped for better things. an nov
I'm dyin' tramp, stragglin' woman
lest the sort of creetur Sat I'd hid
away from in those old happy days.
"Jims with show. A barebacl
rider. Milly Trevanion, liked my man
She has bold black eyes an red cheek
you know He is Signor Vallini ar
she is Mademoiselle Trevanion. Car
ter Brothers had no place in their com
bination for me 'cept washin' dishes
cookin', an work that broke m
down. Write to father an mother, "a
I've KEEP my hands clean, an Ir
worthy to look into their honest eyes
an I've never forgot to love 'em.
I've buried my little girl in"
Suddenly new light came into tn
hazel ewes; the worn face appeare
younger and brighter. Lightly an
tripplfngly she sung:
Down the stream as cheerily beside tt
mill we row,
Where the echoes merrily their playful chorr
throw,
An tic tao, tic tao. goes the mill.
"Turn the boat, Jim. Isn't the waite
beautiful in the sunlight Only hea
it drippin' from the big wheel.
"Oh, Lucille" sobbed Marie. "isn't
sad?"
Again the sweet voice trilled:
''When we call, oh. readily she answers !
Drops the wheel right steadily to hear ol
hOmeward strain
"Jim, do you truly think me I'll
pretty maid of the mill?"
The tripping melody became plail
tive vail.
"Does father an mother hear Il
drippin' an are they hopin' for IL
prodigal daughters returnP Oh wrl
at have pinned to bring me water,
not that bitter stuff-pure, sweet Co
water. What! None for me, when
goes drippin' in showers from the b
wheelP"
The face was fast changing.
"You must arouse yourself. Tell
your fathers name. Who're shall
wrieMSn nrONd Marie