Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-06-10

v " 0UW W. the little village
of Kinhope, which was situated within
fifty miles of Boston.
As the coach approached the village
this beautiful morning in May, it as
cended long, steep hill, from the brow
of which could be seen the many hills
lying about, with the pretty wooded
valleys between; and away off to the
right mountain peak, which was
Mount Wachusett. Among the pas
sengers riding on top of the coach was
Eben Eames, and many, many years
after, when his last days we're spent in
a house not then built upon this very
hill, Eben recalled the bright anticipa-
tons of this day.
Eben was going home after having
spent several years as an apprentice
with Cobbler Gore in Boston, while two
years of work in addition to the APP
premiership, in which he had been in
dustrious and saving, had enabled him
to lay by a little sum.
On leaving the coach Eben made his
way hurriedly to his home, where he
was received with a shout of welcome,
and turned about to be praised and adj
mired to his complete satisfaction.
After the EXPLANATIONS had subsidized
somewhat, Eben said with little en-
barrassment
''How-how is Molly?"
can how should l know; go an see
for yerself, said Eben's mother good
naturally, understanding his impa-
thence to see the girl who was so soon
to be his wife.
As Eben crossed the road, Molly saw
him coming, and with first impulse
started to run down the garden patti
to meet him. Then suddenly feeling
of bashfulness coming over her. she
drew back into the house. With Eben'i
knock at the door, there came young
woman with the fresh bloom of health
on her cheeks, and Eben felt almost
shy when he greeted Molly, she seemed
to him so lovely. When about to leave,
Eben said:
San then it will be this day week,
Molly ?" and Molly demurely answered
eyes"
week later few neighbors, with
the Immediately related families, were
present at the wedding of Molly nnG
Eben. From Molly's home they went
to live ON the main street of the vii
fage. There was cosy house in the
rear, and little shop in front, while &
big sign, with its gilt letters proclaim
ing to all passersby: 'Eben Eames,
Shoemaker" was next to Eben, the
pride of Mollys heart.
These were happy days Molly sing
ing about her work would stop now
and then to hear the rap-rap-tap-taI
of Eben's hammer. When the stitch
ing began and all was still, the silence
oppressed her, and after listening al
the door to make sure no customers
were in, she would open the door care
fully, tiptoeing up to Eben who sat
with his back toward her, when to his
great surprise a pair of hands would
cover his eyes, and sweet voice would
be sounding in his cars:
''Guess, Eben. "
Naturally Eben Guessed correctly
after few trials. This play came to
be looked forward to by the young
man, for it was not always presented
in the same way, Molly being young
woman of resources.
But after time Eben began to be
restless, the village was too small; he
could not earn money fast enough, and
he began to think of going to Boston,
when there came rumor that a rail
road was to be built.
"Molly, when that railroad comes,
it will be great day for us. I'll
build bigger shop and make shoes
enough to send to other towns, and
hire several men to work for me. Oh,
Molly, then Wen get rich. "
THAT would DE well, Eben, but we
are happy now without riches" she
would reply.
The railroad was begun. The tracks
were laid almost to the adjoining town
and Eben no longer restraining his
impotence, began to build his larger
shop, Molly said
Il wouldn't hurry, Eben. You
know the proverb tells us haste makes
waste Better wait another year"
Unheeding, Eben pushed on the
work of building.
One day stranger came into the
little shop; n fine-looking gentleman.
The new railroad naturally became a
topic for conversation.
at will do great things for our vii
lage,' said Eben.
"Ah," said the gentleman, "have
you not heard? We have decided moi
to have it touch this place, but con
tinue it by way of Rocksboro' BY the
way, going to enlarge your business
Nice shop going up opposite. "
Eben choked some inarticulate reply,
and the stranger left, wondering what
had happened to the cobbler, but little
knowing or caring what grief his words
had wrought
A few moments later Molly came in
with her usual light way, but meeting
no response asked;
''Eben, what's the matter of you?''
Then Eben, lifting his head, said
heavily, "Molly, | am ruined"
Ruined
eyes. ruined. Mr.. Simms, one oi
the head ones on the road, has Just
been in, and said the road'll not touch
this town. 1t is goin' by on the other
side.
Molly's face blanched, for she well
knew what this meant. Money nearly
spent on the larger shop. No one
would buy it. All their bright hope,
dashed in moment. Recovering
somewhat, she put her arms about
Eben, saying;
Even SO, Eben. We can begin
again and live as we have lived these
past few years. You are but twenty
eight now"
AT last her sensible words and com
forting touch reached nim, and he