Middletown transcript., 1893-01-14

wild things grew, and the children, ,foi-
lowing Hopes lead, soon began to re-
snect hin, for such serviceable kpaw-
ledge. HIS pale eyes siew brig, Il;
his heavy face began to light up too.
Three wears went by, and Hope grew
tall and pretty in their flight. Jesse
was no longer called the Slabtown fool.
He worked winters with better VIII,
for he wanted to earn more
money having a purpose IN ms
mind that be told no one.
Slabtown too was changed; this
.elittle candle'' of Hope had indeed
thrown its beams far and wide. Kind
illness. cheerfulness, friendly words and
deeds made life brighter to the women
of the village.
The fourth winter of Hopes life
with Aunt Melinda set in, but Jesse
did not 60 to the woods with the
loggers He appeared at Miss Me-
linda's door one morning in a new
suit Of rough clothes, having the rest
of his goods tied up in silk handker-
chief swinging at he end OF SUCK
over his shoulder.
IL come to say fare-ye-well Miss
Melindv. - he explained, staring past
her at Hopes dimpling face. I'm
goin, for to seek my FORUM down the
country. l feel in my mind that I'm
with more for somethin' else than
lumberin'."
"Ain't you ruther ventersomeF
asked Melinda, sharply.
"Nothin' venter nothrn' hev," he
answered. Hope smiled from behind
her aunt.
"Good bye, Jesse!" she said, slipping
out to the step. II know you'll DO
we'll. You're goin' to be a credit to
Slabtown yet.
This was Jesse's accolade; now he
could do or die since Hope believed IN
him. He wrung her hand and turned
on his heel without one word TO Aunt
Melinda.
oWelll hope that's manners!" was
her only comment. Hope wore grave
face all day, but no one asked why.
Jesse had that indomitable will that
makes its way; he found work at first
in a saw mill, then learned his trade i'll
\ carpenters shop, and in five years
had a good place in 4 builders great
workshop, and was earning steady
wages Now and then he was heard OF
in Slabtown; he sent Christmas card
every year to Hope, and once in a great
while wrote to his cousin Lorena, who
had grown into stout, lively girl.
Hope was well past eighteen when
Jesse came back to Shutdown; she had
found lovers already, for the sweet wild
flowers in the forest draw their bees
even in it's sunny solitude; but Hope did
not care for lovers.
But Jesse appeared once more;
well-looking, brisk fellow. but III
Hopes presence as shy as trapped
partridge. Yet he hung round her as
one Of the aforesaid bees would hang
/ about CUmtt Of Of hheHeyg;; ggasping now
and then as if about to say something,
but never saying it. AT last he fairly
| waylad and caught her one soft Au-
| gust evening when she had stolen out
of the shed door to get pail of water
from the spring; he stood in her path
as she turned to go back with the drip
ping pail.
Hope, ), he said, II have thought
about old times every day sence | see
YOU. dono' where should hev land
ed if twant for you. l KEEP tninkin'
papetooral of the old sayin', IF
twasn't for Hope the heart would
break
He looked at her with his heart blaz-
ing in his eyes. Hope colored, choked,
but rallied with toss of her head and
forced herself to speak, saying, of
course, the wrong thing.
81 spose you don't call back the rest
OMIT Eff twasn't for fear, the fool
would speak,"
So now they live in little white
house in Portland. and Shutdown is left
without its moral sunshine; bus Mrs.
Nichols has forgotten how to whine;
Lorena laughs, and Miss Melinda is as
'.hullscme as a Bald'in apple" Jim
Nichols says. when he is sober; while
Jesse still clings to his old sayin', and
has written on his carpenter bench
"If twasn't for Hope the heart would
break"
So much for the child who came to
Slabtown, filled with the gospel of love
and cheer.